tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82721669475946878422024-03-18T21:49:13.008-05:00Diana LaurenceDiana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-49070103522942337292022-09-20T10:40:00.000-05:002022-09-20T10:40:26.550-05:00<p class="MsoNormal">©2007 Diane Lau<br />1,500 words</p>
<p align="center" class="Style" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="Style" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Junk Drawer
Invasion<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="Style" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Diane Lau</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Pinkneys’ junk drawer was nothing special. The junk that lived in there was
probably the same junk that lives in your family’s junk drawer. There was:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Stapler<br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Scissors<br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Matchbox<br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rubber
Band (“R.B.” to his friends)<br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Flashlight<br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Magnet<br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and
the Battery Twins</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For
a long time they all lived happy and normal lives, probably like the junk in
your family’s junk drawer. But that was about to change, as you will see….</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
Junk Drawer Friends got along well, and usually could find fun things to do. Sometimes
they would play “Roll the Battery Twins.” Sometimes they would use Flashlight
and R.B. to play the lantern game on the wall of the drawer. R.B. was so
flexible he could make his shadow into many shapes, like a dinosaur, a flower,
and even a cheese sandwich.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But
what the junk liked to do best was read. Six days of the week there wasn’t much
to read. Stapler had the word “Swingline” on one side, which everyone had
memorized long ago. Magnet, who was the sort of magnet that sticks to the
refrigerator, had a few more words than that: “Hot Hits WROK-FM.” That didn’t
take very long to read either.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But
every Sunday morning, Mrs. Pinkney would open the junk drawer and take out
Scissors. He would be gone for awhile, but then he would return, along with a
little stack of papers that Mrs. Pinkney called “coupons.” The coupons were
left in the junk drawer until Monday morning, when Mrs. Pinkney got her
groceries.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So
the Junk Drawer Friends got to read for a whole day!</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“50
cents off toilet paper!” shouted Matchbox.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hot
dogs half price!” exclaimed Stapler.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Buy
one, get one free!” yelled the Battery Twins.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Reading
was so exciting. You probably don’t know it, but most junk likes to read. Does
the junk in your family’s junk drawer have enough to read? It’s best to make
sure.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now
occasionally Mr. or Mrs. Pinkney would take one of the friends out, and later
put them back. That was fun because then there would be stories about what was
going on in the house.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Mrs.
Pinkney sure hates Tax Time,” Stapler reported to the others after stapling
together a lot of papers.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 16px;">“</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What
is Tax Time?” asked Flashlight.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It
comes in April and makes the Pinkneys have to get out every piece of paper in
the house and put them on the kitchen table in crazy piles,” replied Stapler.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One
time Magnet was away for a whole month.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When
he came back to the drawer he said, “I got to hold a picture on the
Fridge…Nephew Joey drew it. It was great being on the Fridge, riding back and
forth when the Pinkneys take out food.”</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why
can’t we get stuck to the Fridge?” asked one of the Battery Twins.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Because
we aren’t sticky, stupid,” said his brother.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well,
neither is Magnet,” said the first Twin.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That
made everyone in the drawer quiet for awhile. Hmmm…</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So
that was life in the junk drawer. All the Junk Drawer Friends got along well
and not too much changed from day to day, until one Friday….</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly
the drawer opened and in fell a creature. A very strange creature. It was
green, and had three eyes, and was like nothing the Junk Drawer Friends had
ever seen before.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They
stared at it. It stared back.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally
Scissors said, “Who are you?”</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
creature stood up very straight and said in a squeaky, scary voice, “I am
BORKLOTRON, star of the full length animated motion picture of the same name!”</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Huh?”
asked Matchbox.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
creature blinked its three eyes at him for a minute in silence. Then it said,
“I am BORKLOTRON, star of the full length animated motion picture of the same
name!”</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">None
of the friends had a clue what this meant.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now
it might have been a good idea to ask this Borklotron some questions, like
“What is a full length motion picture of the same name?” But the friends
thought Borklotron was weird looking and its voice was quite scary. So they all
backed to the other side of the drawer and pretended it wasn’t there.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Is
there anything in your junk drawer that is sort of scary? The junk in there
might think so.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
Junk Drawer Friends tried very hard not to seem scared of Borklotron. Finally
R.B., Scissors and Matchbox decided to play the Guitar Game. R.B. wrapped
himself around Matchbox a few times to make the strings, and Scissors plucked
the notes. The other friends sang along. They started out doing “Row, Row, Row
Your Boat.”</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It
was a lot of fun, until suddenly they heard that weird, scary voice sing, “Row,
row, row!”</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Everyone
stopped singing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Row,
row, row!” sang Borklotron all by itself.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So
that was the end of the Guitar Game.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That
night the Junk Drawer Friends all slept on one side of the drawer, and talked
quietly about Borklotron.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You
know, clearly it’s a monster. It has monster eyes and a monster voice,” said
Stapler.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Monsters
are bad, right?” asked R.B.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah,
they’re bad!” said Flashlight. “Monsters do Invasions!”</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What’s
an Invasion?” asked R.B.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That’s
when the monsters come and take over the Earth! They capture everyone and steal
everything! An invasion is when…your home is invaded!” said Flashlight.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“OUR
JUNK DRAWER HAS BEEN INVADED!” cried all the Junk Drawer Friends.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They
looked over at Borklotron. He seemed to be asleep, but no one could be sure.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Saturday
was not a fun day. Early in the morning, Borklotron started to hum. Then it
started to sing, “Row, row, row! Row, row, row!”</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
Battery Twins got very scared. “Stop invading our junk drawer!” they yelled at
Borklotron.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It
stopped singing.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">No
one knew what to do. So they spent the day watching Borklotron to see if it
would capture or steal anything.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And
nothing much happened the rest of the day.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
Junk Drawer Friends were pretty nervous about Sunday morning. Sunday was their
favorite day, because that was when the coupons came. But they were very
worried that Borklotron would try to capture or steal the coupons.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After
Mrs. Pinkney dropped the coupons in the drawer, everyone grabbed them quickly. They
took them to one side of the drawer and tried to read happily as usual.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Everyone
had something to do but Borklotron. It just sat and watched them.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then
suddenly Scissors let out a yell. “Look, everyone, look at this coupon!” And he
held it out for everyone to see.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There
was a picture on the coupon…a picture of Borklotron!</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Everyone
gathered around to read what the coupon said. It read:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="Style" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">FREE with this coupon and purchase of a Burger Bus Fun
Meal:<br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">BORKLOTRON TOY!<br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Borklotron, the kids’ friend from outer space!<br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Star of the full length animated motion picture of the
same name!</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Wow…”
said the Battery Twins.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s
a cartoon!” cried Stapler. “A full length animated motion picture is a cartoon,
a long cartoon, a movie!”</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Borklotron
is the star of a movie??” asked Scissors, amazed.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“A
movie called ‘Borklotron,’ that’s what it says,” said Stapler.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The
full length motion picture OF THE SAME NAME!” cried the Battery Twins.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And
everyone got it.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They
all turned to Borklotron, who stared back at them with its three eyes, looking
confused.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Magnet
took a step towards it…him…and said, “Sorry, we thought you were a monster, but
you’re actually a movie star, aren’t you?”</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Borklotron
said, “I’m a monster AND a movie star. And also a toy, available exclusively
with your purchase of a Fun Meal at Burger Bus.”</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Wow,”
said the Battery Twins.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Can
we sing now?” asked Borklotron.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So
everybody put down their coupons and they all sang “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
together.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
Junk Drawer Friends had a lot of fun with Borklotron. But he told them he
couldn’t stay long, because Mrs. Pinkney had gotten him for Nephew Joey.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By
the time he had to go, the Junk Drawer Friends no longer noticed that he had a
scary voice.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Bye,
Borklotron, thanks for the Invasion!” they said, waving goodbye.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’re
welcome,” said Borklotron. “But you know I didn’t capture or steal anything.”</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You
stole our hearts,” said Scissors quietly.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“YEAH!!!”
agreed all the friends.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
next week was lonely without Borklotron. But Friday night the drawer opened and
something fell in.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It
was purple, and it had four legs, two floppy ears, and eye stalks.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hi,
who are you?” asked the Battery Twins with excitement.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I
am Wooflotron, Borklotron’s best friend,” it said.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“From
the full length animated motion picture of the same name!” cried all the Junk
Drawer Friends with joy.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And
they all played the Guitar Game till very late at night.</span></p>
<p class="Style"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Maybe
the junk in your own junk drawer could use a new friend, too. The story’s over,
so why not go find something that can visit with them for awhile? Have fun!</span> </p><p class="Style"><br /></p>Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-27534368019346222532016-03-03T10:40:00.000-06:002016-03-05T12:40:11.406-06:00Guinea Pig PosseI have now commandeered my long-sleeping blog as a vehicle to share with the world the continuing story of Guinea Pig Posse, the adventures of Blanche and her five fellow miniature guinea pigs. To keep up with the saga, please see the upper right of this page where content is listed (or if you're on a mobile device, use the drop down menu).<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
<br />
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<br />Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-2855118485877173522014-09-22T20:17:00.000-05:002014-09-22T20:24:24.419-05:00Knitted Cactus Garden Pattern by Me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpq3p0FO0c3u45cgMcppO1eaaW9h_07xf52Iw9vex9xeGh_pQ_e9e5WW9Ql_5u6va6lchMMvgWGsUsM1jCKsMc-IaFNvGJHgN2eEQuf5SFYjnC7SRRek_A21AaMmWG8kE9AYovnIv9Zg/s1600/2014-09-20+15.10.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpq3p0FO0c3u45cgMcppO1eaaW9h_07xf52Iw9vex9xeGh_pQ_e9e5WW9Ql_5u6va6lchMMvgWGsUsM1jCKsMc-IaFNvGJHgN2eEQuf5SFYjnC7SRRek_A21AaMmWG8kE9AYovnIv9Zg/s1600/2014-09-20+15.10.28.jpg" height="320" width="282" /></a></div>
Just popping back because I have something exciting to share!<br />
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I just created my first knitting pattern ever, this pretty dang fun Knitted Cactus Garden. And I even published it on the whopping big needlecrafting community site, Ravelry.<br />
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It was so much fun creating this project, and then designing the pattern (with lots of photos and real knitting lingo like "k1 p2")...if I ever actually sell it to someone, that will be icing on the cake!<br />
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The pattern is a mere $2.99 in my newly opened, one pattern Ravelry shop <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-cactus-garden">here</a>.<br />
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<br />Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-40569331504337571442014-08-06T19:56:00.002-05:002014-08-06T19:58:00.743-05:00Hail and...farewell?It's been a whole year since I posted last and I can't believe it, Blog! Well, I thought such an occasion warranted <i>some</i> kind of comment from me. Clearly I have been putting my efforts largely into other channels, those being of a craftier nature. See also:<br />
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My <a href="http://lani-enigma.deviantart.com/">Deviant Art</a> page:<br />
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and my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/dianelau">Ravelry</a> page:<br />
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There's been a lot of other things happening in my life, just as I'm sure our handful of beloved readers have had going on this past year. But to make a long story short, Blog, it was high time for me to check in, and possibly, out.<br />
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I want to keep this blog online because there's no telling whether I might want to post here again some day. But then again, I might not, and I hate to have no kind of closure here if that should be the case! So, as I move on toward bigger and better things, I just wanted to put a "so long" in here, and say thanks to Blog for being my good companion on this blog, and thanks to you out there for reading. And seeing as I am, personally, short and sweet, that is how I will keep this post.Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-10070787972645720702013-08-01T12:57:00.000-05:002013-08-01T12:59:26.247-05:00I'm not bad for 57...Yesterday, Blog, I saw on Yahoo News that people were praising 80s beauty Bo Derek for looking amazing at the age of 56. Well, I'm still 56 for the next 17 days, so I was curious to see how Bo looked. Particularly since about six months ago I started a personal campaign to improve my skin. So, here's the photo of Bo that accompanied the report:<br />
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Don't get me wrong, Bo Derek is a much more beautiful woman than I ever was or will be. And I think she still looks great. That said, I looked at this photo and thought, "Whoa! I guess my beauty routine is working!"<br />
<br />
Blog, the point of this post is not to crow, but to share what I've been doing since I guess I've proven it's successful. I know there are plenty of women in the same spot I was in six months ago, asking themselves, "Can't I look younger without surgery and/or horrifically expensive salon appointments and products?" I am totally turned off by ideas like chemical peels and botox injections, and Blog, if you had a face you would be too.<br />
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So, by contrast, here's a shot taken today of me, with no makeup whatsoever, and no Photoshopping.<br />
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I dare you to click on it and see the bigger version. Scrutinize, compare. Not bad, eh, Blog? Especially considering I never go anywhere without makeup and here I am, boldly sharing my naked face.<br />
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If Bo's face is that of a typical 56 year old--well golly.<br />
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Okay, now let's talk about my skin care regimen, which I guarantee will NOT give you the same facial features as I have, so if you're as pretty as Bo, just imagine how you'll look!<br />
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<b>MORNING STUFF</b><br />
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1. I wash my face in the shower, so this is when I use my <a href="http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/spa-sonic-skin-care-system-face-%26-body-polisher---7-piece-professional-kit/ID=prod6198280-product">Spa Sonic</a>, which I purchased for $50 at Walgreens. This is a cheaper and just-as-good alternative to the $120-200 Clairsonic. I read that this sort of "skin brush" system is really worth the investment and I believe it. I'll explain a little later why. For soap I just use my regular bath gel.<br />
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2. Using a cotton ball, I apply a toner that aids in cleaning pores and helping dead skin cells to slough off. My choice based on web research was <a href="http://www.clinique.com/products/1573/3_step/Step_2_Exfoliate/index.tmpl">Clinique's Clarifying Lotion</a>. The large bottles are $22.50 but they last quite a long time. The stuff really refreshes skin without a drying effect.<br />
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3. I finish with moisturizer over my whole face and neck, and a "serum" (more concentrated moisturizer) around my eyes and mouth where the skin doesn't produce much natural oil. I've tried a number of products for this and to be honest, I just look for generics and on-sale options. Those Walgreens and Target equivalents of the pricey stuff seem to work just as well, and they save you a lot of bucks, Blog.<br />
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4. About skin color correction: I went through a whole bottle of the highly-recommended Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector and didn't really notice much difference. I guess I just have to rely on makeup for that!<br />
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Speaking of, here's my made-up face...still without any Photoshopping... Now look at Bo, who is, after all, wearing makeup. Now look back at me. Yeah.<br />
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<b>EVENING STUFF</b><br />
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1. I wash my face nightly with <a href="http://www.clinique.com/product/1682/5003/Skincare/Exfoliators_Masks/7-Day-Scrub-Cream-Rinse-Off-Formula/index.tmpl">Clinique 7-Day Scrub Cream</a>. If you splurge on only one facial care product in this post, this would be it. Forget about your St. Ive's Apricot Scrub--for one thing, I read that it really tears up your skin. I've tried it, and a lot of other scrubs, and nothing compares to 7-Day Scrub Cream. It feels great, washes off super easily, and really does the job with exfoliation. So part with the $19.50. It hurts, I know, but it's worth it.<br />
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2. I use makeup remover to make sure I'm not leaving anything behind. This is a new thing for me, and I've been using <a href="http://www.clinique.com/product/1673/5380/Skincare/Cleansers_Makeup_Removers/Take-The-Day-Off-Makeup-Remover-For-Lids-Lashes-Lips/index.tmpl">Clinique's Take the Day Off Makeup Remover</a>. I like that it doesn't leave my face feeling oily. I have nothing to compare it to really, so if you have a better option than the $18 this costs (again, it lasts a long time), go for it.<br />
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3. Then it's a repeat of the toner and moisturizers. I do use a "night cream" at night, which translates to "moisturizer that leaves your face shinier than you want your daytime moisturizer to do." My pillow doesn't mind if my face is shiny, Blog.<br />
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<b>TANNING / SUNSCREEN</b><br />
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I am a maniac about sunscreen: SPF 30 goes on my face if I'm planning on being outside for more than a few minutes. But thanks to the wonders of chemistry, I do sport a pretty nice looking fake tan. On my daughter's recommendation, I purchased <a href="http://www.target.com/p/neutrogena-build-a-tan-6-7-oz/-/A-12184147#prodSlot=medium_1_7&term=self+tanner">Neutrogena Build a Tan</a> from Target for a mere $8, and I'm sure it will get me through at least one summer.<br />
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I used it every three days till I built up a good tan, and now refresh by using once a week. All over, so no tan lines! It is almost scentless, doesn't stain your hands or clothes, and feels fine on my skin, especially if followed by body lotion. Genius!<br />
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Bo Derek, as you may recall, sported a very dark tan back when she starred in "10." And I fear maybe in the intervening years she skimped on the sunscreen a bit. Take my word for it, folks--sun protection is #1 for delaying the effects of aging on your skin!<br />
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<b>THE BEST FOR LAST: THE FACEMASTER</b><br />
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You may have heard of this contraption, which is sold and marketed by another celebrity of yore, Suzanne Somers. <a href="https://www.facemaster.com/">The Facemaster</a> uses microcurrent--low electrical charges from batteries--to stimulate the skin. This is actually a tried-and-true technique employed for year by salons and professional beauty technicians. As I understand it, the microcurrent (a) causes muscle-twitching that exercises and firms muscles, and (b) stimulates the production of collagen, which is what gives younger faces tone and smoothness.<br />
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All I know is, gosh darn it the thing really works. I use it faithfully 15 minutes every other day, and I have absolutely seen results. It reduces small wrinkles like crow's feet and mouth lines. It also builds up the tone of the face which actually works like a face lift. With more collagen in your face, your wrinkles and folds just fill out.<br />
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Plus, it's really refreshing to use, especially in the morning when your face could use a wake-up. I sit at my computer desk, put a slide show on my screensaver, turn on Sirius XM Spa, and enjoy.<br />
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The Facemaster retails for a daunting $200. But here's a tip: I found a slightly used one on eBay for only $50! A lot of people find they just can't keep to the regimen of regular use and so decide to sell their units. Frankly, with what I've experienced, I'd pay $200 for one...but $50 was way better, Blog.<br />
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<b>OTHER TREATS</b><br />
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Occasionally I will treat myself to other beauty treatments that a person can do at home:<br />
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<b>1. Facial steam--</b>Fill a sink or large bowl with very hot water. Add your favorite essential oil if you like. Place your head over the water (not in!) and cover head and bowl/sink with a large towel. This opens pores and is great for preceding a facial.<br />
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<b>2. Deep cleaning facials</b>--There are lots of reasonably priced facial products around, and again you can snag bargains if you watch sales or shop at places like T.J. Maxx. You can also find lots of recipes for make your own facials online. I like mud facials in particular...feels like you're deep cleaning your pores.<br />
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<b>3. Aspirin facial</b>--This is my personal fave home facial, Blog. Aspirin contains salicylic acid, the main ingredient in acne treatments and chemical peels, but much milder. Just crunch about seven uncoated aspirins to powder and mix with a lotion like Oil of Olay. Spread on your face, leave ~10 minutes, and wash off thoroughly. This treatment, combined with the exfoliation in your normal routine (toner, face scrub, face brush) over time works just like expensive, drastic chemical peels. It all works together to keep fresh skin cells exposed rather than buried under the old-looking, dead ones.<br />
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That's it! So my equipment outlay was $100 and the ongoing expenses are perfectly manageable. I probably added about an hour and a quarter to my weekly time spent on grooming, which is sure worth it as far as I'm concerned. The routine is actually pretty enjoyable...<br />
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Especially because it works, Blog! Even on non-movie stars like me.<br />
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Anyone else have tips for skin care, please do share in the comments!<br />
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<br />Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-84334076645396846292013-05-08T11:34:00.001-05:002013-05-08T11:34:59.540-05:00We turned our patio into a CATio!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Blog, this spring we could wait no longer to create an outdoor space for our cats that would permanently and completely thwart their escape attempts. While Cody is pretty well trained to stay on the concrete pad, and the girls are a bit on the lazy/homebody side, new resident Archie gave us no indication that he wouldn't take off after the first bird that appealed to his wild Tabbysinian breeding.<br />
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So, it was time to turn our patio into a catio! Well Blog, I puzzled and researched and found that there wasn't anything similar online to our situation that offered a good solution. You see, the Magic House patio is surrounded by house walls on two sides and an evergreen hedge on 80% of the hypotenuse of the space. All we needed was a way to make the hedge impenetrable, as well as a means of closing up the entry gap.<br />
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After much thought and deliberation, I determined all we needed was these four items you see on the left, and a cat gate. Not much expense at all from Amazon, and pretty simple! So here's how it went down, Blog....<br />
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After much thought, I decided the least visually obtrusive way to deal with the hedge was bird netting. I got a package of black <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQOB3K/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Bird-X netting</a> in a 7' x 20' piece. I started by cutting the piece in half the long way, yielding 40 feet of netting that was 3.5 feet in height. I took <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0089O8X1M/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i04?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Makai's nylon paracord</a> in a nice dark moss color, and wove it through the netting on the bottom edge. Yes, that was time-consuming, Blog.<br />
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I ran this netting under the hedge, as far back from the edge of the patio as it would go, and tacked it down with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00171G4VU/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i03?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Dalen steel garden staples</a>, keeping the cord as tight as possible. I got 20 staples for the approximately 35 feet of hedge we have, and I'm going to supplement them with another 20 just to keep that cord snug to the ground.<br />
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Lastly, I filled in all the gaps under the hedge with netting, by hooking it on branches and affixing it with green <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005755YSQ/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Velcro plant ties</a> here and there to hold securely. Yes, Blog, that was <i>also</i> time-consuming. The toughest part was blocking the area between hedge and house. Naturally that weak point was the first place Archie tested the system, so I had to adjust it immediately. Naughty tripod kitty...well, can't really blame him for being curious on the first venture outside since he made his home with us!<br />
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The entry way to the patio was the final issue, and happily while I was installing the netting, FedEx delivered the new cat gate! I used a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002W5V31G/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Cardinal Versagate pet gate</a> because it is stable, has flexible side panels, and has narrow gaps between the bars to block small tuxedo and Tabbysinian cats. That was ALSO time-consuming, Blog--I can't really recommend this gate on the grounds of easy assembly. However, it did work out to be just the perfect design for the job.<br />
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So, now we have a catio where cats will be able to play and rest contentedly with minor supervision, and humans will no longer be required to watch with vigilance and give the felines timeouts when they try to sneak away. Spring weather has arrived late in Wisconsin, Blog, but we were prepared for that first 70-degree day so our guests and cats could party together in perfect harmony!Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-79904445547542679042013-04-22T18:30:00.000-05:002013-04-22T18:30:08.991-05:00Cutting board tablet holder tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whaddaya know, Blog--I've been crafting! Specifically, crafting this nifty copycat of a tablet holder sold by Pottery Barn. It fills a crucial need, as lately I've been doing a lot of pinning of recipes on Pinterest, and it's high time I figured out a way to cook right off the web. This little jobby really serves the purpose. Here's how my daughter Manzi and I made a pair for our Nook tablet and Kindle: <br />
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You start with a wooden cutting board, the paddle-shaped kind with a hole in the handle. I bought two of these on Amazon for an excellent price. You also need some wood pieces to make the little tray in which you will prop your tablet. If you only need to hang your holder, that's all the elements required, but if you'd like the option of standing the holder up on a table, you'll need a way to do that. I had the bright idea to get small wooden easels, which I purchased on eBay.<br />
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By sawing it off with my Dremel, I took the "cross bar" piece (upon which you would rest a picture) off so the easel could be mounted flat on the back of the cutting board. That wood bar, paired with a chunk of old yardstick, made for a perfect table-propping bracket, as you see in the photo. We used Gorilla Glue and small nails to put everything together. The Kindle and Nook fit precisely in their slots!<br />
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We painted the assembled holders with leftover kitchen cabinet paint: off-white glossy acrylic. The most fun part was antiquing! I used a sandpaper sponge so it would curve nicely around the edges so I could really remove a nice amount of paint. Then I mixed up some very diluted, very dark brown acrylic paint, painted it on and wiped it off, section by section, to complete the antiquing effect. In the photo, Blog, you will see before and after the antiquing process. After painting, I added small cushy stick-on foot pads to the legs of the easel to prevent slippage.<br />
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Using a couple magnets to support the hole and the easel-back, I am able to securely mount the holder on the side of the refrigerator. It could also hang on a nail on the wall. However you choose to use it, the holder makes it easy to keep your tablet in view while you cook.<br />
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Technology and crafting, in a perfect marriage, hey Blog?Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-10045304328949981122013-02-14T14:50:00.001-06:002013-02-14T14:50:47.983-06:00My seven most important life lessonsBlog, seven of the last eight winters I've had to deal with some challenges. Work crises, ill health, death of a loved one, and so on. Oh joy, 2013 is proving to be another one. It's times like these that put me in mind of the most important things I've learned from my 56 years of an oft-times challenging life. Pull up whatever it is that a blog is most comfortable sitting on, and I'll give it to ya straight.<br />
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<b>1. To thine own self be true.</b> I won't pretend I thought of this one, but it's so very important. If you don't face up to your own faults, look them in the eye, and deal with them, they will destroy you eventually. There's such hopelessness in people who delude themselves about their own character. That primary lie leads to a life built on falsities, an existence riddled with wrong conclusions and bad choices. And not only should a person be honest with himself, he should be wary of people who are not. There's a world of problems there you just don't want to have to deal with.<br />
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<b>2. Be interested in as much as you possibly can.</b> People, subjects, activities...try to be curious and explore and inquire. No need to force yourself out of your comfort zone; I'm very risk-averse but can find loads of things to be interested in outside of extreme sports and adventure travel. (Well, I like <i>hearing</i> about extreme sports and adventure travel!) And I'm very much an introvert, but I discipline myself to keep up human connections. Keeping yourself connected to others and the world around you serves to keep you from shutting yourself in your own little world, where you could end up very lonely<i> </i>and longing for purpose.<br />
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<b>3. Humanity is made up of Users and Usees...get to know the players.</b> Usees are goodhearted, generous people who live by the Golden Rule, thinking of others' needs and not necessarily their own. Users are people who are, for whatever reason, mostly focused on their own happiness. And it seems like when in the presence of Usees, they can't help but take advantage. So it's important for nice people to develop the ability to not always take the Nice Road. Once you've pegged someone as a User, you have to watch out for your own interests--they are just as important as anyone else's.<br />
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<b>4. Karma is real--trust it, and don't get in its way.</b> I don't necessarily believe in karma as a supernatural force--it's just that every action has consequences, and chickens always come home to roost eventually. If you do good things and make the world a better place, some of that will come back to you for sure, so take heart. Meanwhile, with #3 above in mind, remember it's important not to interfere with karma's work to reward the good behavior and chasten the bad. Protecting people from the bad consequences of their misdeeds is not your responsibility. It's the opposite: the world only gets better if people learn not to make bad choices and do mean things.<br />
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<b>5. Make smart decisions, with an eye to the "long view."</b> Pay attention and take the good path at each fork in the road, asking yourself what the long term consequences will be. This really will make a difference in your life. One wrong choice that seems insignificant in the moment can drastically alter the rest of your life--just ask a pregnant teen, a drunk driver who hit someone, or a drug addict. I know it's common sense that smart choices lead to success...and yet we live in a world of people with maxed-out credit cards, don't we? Too many people can't think past today. Learn to do so, and your 20-years-older self will be a much, much happier person. You'll feel pretty good right now, too.<br />
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<b>6. Put the kibosh on these behaviors: bitterness, self-loathing, envy, passive-aggressiveness.</b> Some "negative" emotions can be constructive, I think. Grief is necessary and natural. Anger can be therapeutic and can be channeled into positive action. But bitterness only poisons the person harboring it. Self-loathing only cripples one's ability to improve. Envy is usually misplaced--the person you envy is probably as unhappy as you are, so you're wasting your energy. And passive-aggressiveness is a self-deluding game (see #1 above) that accomplishes nothing good.<br />
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<b>7. Never commit suicide while you're depressed.</b> This is an old joke of my dad's--one that has a point. Recognize when you are simply bummed out, and don't try to make decisions when in that state. Instead, focus on doing whatever you need to do to feel better. Action can wait until your head's on straight.<br />
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Blog, I've done a decent job with most of these principles during my life, but I tell you, I can trace at least 75% of my unhappiness to the consequences of my neglecting them. 'Bout time I passed them on, I guess! Carry on, Blog, and good luck.<br />
<br />Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-87919603766902211442013-01-27T15:33:00.003-06:002013-01-27T15:46:58.500-06:00How to have a MacGyver Party!Blog, for the first time ever I think I've come up with something never before imagined by mankind. The MacGyver Party! I dare anyone to prove I didn't think of this first! Well, enough boasting...it's time now to tell everyone just how they can host their own and wow their friends and family with the amazing fun.<br />
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The inspiration for a MacGyver Party is, of course, the hit 80's show about a secret agent whose special talent is creating useful gadgets from everyday items at hand. And that's exactly what you and your guests will do! Here's how it went down at Magic House:<br />
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For Christmas I gave each of my daughters a MacGyver Basket. Said basket contained:<br />
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1 ticket to MacGyver Lunch<br />
1 sturdy hanger with clips on it (like for pants)<br />
1 "food saver" container<br />
1 CD<br />
1 magnet<br />
1 sports bottle top<br />
1 metal binder clip<br />
1 balloon<br />
2 wine glasses<br />
2 socks (1 pretty, 1 plain)<br />
2 votive candles<br />
Decorative gravel (in baggie)<br />
Kitty litter (in baggie)<br />
Length of yarn<br />
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Random, hey blog? What can come of this? Well, that's the fun of it: your guests will be stumped. The other fun of this is that with a little effort you can find everything you need, including the basket, for under $15 a person. Tip: The toughest part for me was finding the sports bottle tops, but I bought them online from Dick's Sporting Goods.<br />
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<b>IT'S PARTY TIME OH THE SUSPENSE</b><br />
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So, start the party with some lunch, maybe a couple healthy dishes like Jeff Mauro's
<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jeff-mauro/veggie-mini-burger-pita-with-cucumber-yogurt-sauce-recipe/index.html">Mini Veggie Burgers with Cuke Sauce</a> and <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jeff-mauro/bbq-kale-chips-recipe/index.html">BBQ Kale Chips</a>.
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After the meal, prepare the table by laying down newspaper or paper bags at each place, to protect the tabletop. Give each person a pair of scissors and a needle big enough for sewing with yarn. Set out Gorilla Glue and clear packing tape to share. In advance you'll also need to prepare the labels you see below, have cookbook, sunglasses, and cell phone handy, and (optional) have a pet toy for each participant who owns a cat or small dog.
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So, the girls had their baskets at the ready and it was time to be MacGyverettes!!!<br />
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<b>PROJECT #1 - Cookbook Hanger</b><br />
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Get your guests stoked with with the easiest project of all. Tell them to grab their hangers, then take yours and show them how it works in your kitchen...<br />
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Yes, that's all there is to it, Blog! The hanger works great to suspend a lightweight cookbook or a recipe or two at whatever handy spot in your kitchen you choose. Wowzers.<br />
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<b>PROJECT #2 - Refrigerator Clip / Pet Toy </b><br />
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Glue the binder clip (I got these pretty ones at Target) to a nice, powerful magnet using Gorilla Glue. Set aside to dry...you'll be able to finish this project up in like a half an hour. The clip works to hang something from your fridge that doesn't hang too well by magnet alone, like thick cardboard.<br />
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While you're at the gluing, now's also the time to glue the sports bottle top to the CD, like you see in the photo. (Don't make the mistake we did and try this with superglue. Gorilla Glue is the only adhesive for this job, and make sure the seal is firm and tight all the way around the topper. No need to be neat!)<br />
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Back to the Refrigerator Clip: It also works great to attach a pet toy via a piece of the provided yarn, so it will dangle from the fridge door and provide kitties or pups with hours of fun. Man, did our Archie the Three-Legged Cat love it!<br />
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<b>PROJECT #3 - Glasses Case</b><br />
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To do this project you'll need to have a rudimentary knowledge of sewing: enough to be able to thread a needle with yarn, tie a knot in the end, and whipstitch an edge. Take your sock, put your sunglasses inside, and trim down the cuff to the desirable length with your scissors.<br />
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Whipstitch the edge so it doesn't unravel. Ta-da, an easy case to protect sunglasses or reading glasses from getting scratched in your car, purse or drawer!<br />
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<b>PROJECT #4 - Electronic Device Resuscitator</b><br />
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You may never use this thing, Blog, but if you ever have need of it, you'll be SO glad you kept it handy! Take your food saver container, and with clear packing tape apply the label (prepared in advance by the hostess, of course) to the lid. Put the other sock from your basket and the bag of kitty litter inside.<br />
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Heaven fore-fend you should ever get your phone, iPod, or other gadget wet (like when I dropped my continuous glucose monitor in the toilet)...but if you do, rush to this kit. Dry off the gadget, turn it off if still on, remove the battery, and put gadget and battery inside the sock. Fold it over securely. Dump the litter in the container, bury the sock in it, close the box and leave it overnight. The sock will keep the gadget dust-free, and the litter will absorb all the water. There is a decent chance your device, like my DexCom, will be revived after being reassembled and rebooted!<br />
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<b>PROJECT #5 - Wine Glass Candelabra</b><br />
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Decorative gravel, votive candles, and wine glasses combine to make a lovely table decoration, as your guests will see in seconds! Just watch my sleight-of-hand:<br />
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Ta-da! Masterfully completed in nanoseconds and ready to inspire romance!<br />
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<b>PROJECT #6 - CD Hovercraft</b><br />
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Yes, Blog, I said <i>hovercraft</i>. Let's go back to the sports bottle tops glued to the CDs, and get out our balloons. Simply make sure the top is pushed down (closed)...blow up the balloon and put it over the top securely...set it on a flat surface...and pull up on the top (without pulling off the balloon). Release and watch the fun! Especially if a cat is present!<br />
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OMG, what an awesome party this was! Now your guests can pack up their six way cool contrivances in their baskets and go home with new swag and a sense of cleverness and accomplishment! Thanks, Mr. MacGyver, for the inspiration!<br />
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And I bet you never heard of anything like <i>this </i>before, didja, Blog?
Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-77166811575288389452012-10-26T14:32:00.000-05:002012-10-26T14:32:54.478-05:00The Magnificent Seven aka my all-male fantasy teamBlog, fans of my books know that I get a lot of inspiration from my celebrity crushes. I've also written elsewhere that oftentimes my fantasies feature a couple of guys vying for my attention (hey, if it can happen to Bella and Katniss, it can happen to me).<br />
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Well, nothing succeeds like excess, so I said to myself, "Why stop at two guys? Really, is there a limit to the number of attractive men you'd want vying for your attention?" Actually, Blog, there is: and the number is seven. More than that and a girl just can't keep track.<br />
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So, I put together my team of truly awesome celebrity crushes, all of whom have at various times been the stars of my daydreams, and voila...The Magnificent Seven. You may think of them as a Leverage-esque team (referring to the TNT show) that provides the various and sundry talents necessary for my complete range of romantic/adventurous scenarios. Or you may think of them in Jungian terms (referring to the developer of psychoanalytic theory), as various manifestation of my animus. Either way, they make a stunning group.<br />
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Let me introduce the Magnificent Seven:<br />
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<b>The Mastermind: Sherlock Holmes</b> (aka Benedict Cumberbatch of the BBC/Masterpiece show "Sherlock"). <br />
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My most recent crush is on this enigmatic, charismatic genius, portrayed in the updated version as an expert in technology (i.e., really good at using a cell phone). As a British interpretation of the same literary character who inspired America's Dr. House, he is self-absorbed, egotistical, and manipulative, only with much more charm and refinement.<br />
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This is the kind of personality that (1) captivates you with his brilliance, and (2) makes a woman dream of taming him and improving his character. Blog, in my fantasy plots look for him to solve mysteries, attempt to hide his undying devotion to me, and run the operation by sheer egotism.<br />
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<b>The Healer: Dr. James Wilson</b> (aka Robert Sean Leonard, late of the show "House").<br />
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Wilson, who was the Dr. Watson-style sidekick to House, was the member of the team with heart and conscience. As a particularly nurturant character, he's long been the one I turned to in my fantasies when I needed comfort or relief. He's definitely a representative of the Knight in Shining Armor archetype, and every pantheon of dream men needs one of those.<br />
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Expect, Blog, that I run to Wilson when hurt, confused, or irritated at one of the other guys. I can endure the sexy capriciousness of Sherlock as long as I have Wilson to turn to.<br />
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<b>The Science Geek: Jack Hodgins</b> (aka T.J. Thyne, from the show "Bones").<br />
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Hodgins has been in my stable of fantasy men for awhile now--I just can't resist a guy who's good in the lab, particularly if he's funny and has curly hair. Perhaps he's more adorable than sexy, but adorable goes a long way. Hodgins is super smart but also a tenderhearted, nice guy.<br />
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Blog, watch for Hodgins to explain some of the universe's mysteries, provide comic relief, and be a true friend when I need a more lighthearted shoulder to cry on than Wilson's.<br />
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<b>The Computer Geek: Harold Finch</b> (aka Michael Emerson, from the show "Person of Interest").<br />
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Michael Emerson invaded my brain and heart while playing the role of Ben Linus on "Lost." While this newer character is not quite so powerful (largely because he's a good genius rather than an evil one), Michael is always captivating in any role. On "P of I" he acts almost as God, overseeing the entire population of New York City and intervening to protect the innocent from harm. That kind of stuff is great archetypal fodder for sure.<br />
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Mr. Finch will be serving a dual role as both introverted genius and guardian angel. He has the cred to be Mastermind himself were he not so private, so expect him to butt heads with Sherlock more than once.<br />
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<b>The Musician: Christian</b> (aka Christian Borle, Broadway star and Tom on the show "Smash").<br />
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In this case I'm having to invent a bit of a new character rather than just going with composer Tom Levitt, for the simple reason that Tom is gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I kind of need my romantic fantasy guys to like girls, that is, me. Plus it happens that Christian himself is a straight guy. Anyway, as a Broadway fan I just have to have a team member who can sing, act, play the piano, etc. To top it off, Christian is cute, sweet and funny.<br />
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Besides providing entertainment, Christian's role will be reminiscent of Tom's (and likewise that of Emmett, the romantic lead he played in "Legally Blonde"): he'll be a great counselor. I envision him providing tremendous support in a crisis as well as insightful day-to-day advice.<br />
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<b>The Bodyguard: Eliot Spencer</b> (aka Christian Kane, from the show "Leverage").<br />
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Yes, Blog, I stole him from the Leverage team. I find Eliot an absolutely marvelous character, because he may be the brawn of the operation (read: 99% invincible in a fight), but he's also really intelligent, sensitive, a little mysterious, and absolutely hilarious. He's got a spine of iron and is practically fearless, which I find extremely inspirational. But you can also count on him to take a stand for right, with strong but quiet determination.<br />
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Look for Eliot to be humorously annoyed by Sherlock but make friendships with the other low-key heroes: Wilson and Mr. Finch.<br />
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<b>The Gentleman: Matthew Crawley</b> (aka Dan Stevens, from the show "Downton Abbey").<br />
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Why does a woman need Matthew on the team? Other than the blue eyes, boyish good looks, and great accent? For pretty much the same reason why chicks always dig aristocratic British men from other periods (see also Mr. Darcy). Seriously though, Blog...Matthew is another white knight type who Does the Right Thing, albeit a flawed one. He's also a shining example of good manners and fine vocabulary. Any drama a person invents could use some of those elements, true?<br />
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Matthew will be cutting quite the romantic figure, I'm sure. And while he won't always agree with Sherlock's approach, they will share some aspects of British heritage and attitude, which is bound to create some fun.<br />
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Go team.<br />
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So, I've already "shot"--that is, imagined--the first two episodes of "The Magnificent Seven." in Ep 1:01, the boys arrived at my house, eyed each other with curiosity, and let Eliot tend bar (which I appreciated a lot because it left me free to ogle). In Ep. 1:02, Sherlock pronounced himself in charge and proceeded to look at each man and predict the role they would play in my life going forward. Believe you me, Blog, that inspired some priceless dialogue.<br />
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[Sidebar: I can do spot-on impersonations of voices in my imagination. I'm wondering if this is a common ability or if I'm weird in that way? Readers?]<br />
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I think one more solid episode like the first two, and the "network" will be ordering a full season. <br />
<br />Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-61361372106862925982012-08-31T21:00:00.000-05:002012-08-31T21:11:11.110-05:00Help Blog and me stamp out Partyism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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No, Blog and don't want to ban celebrations...that's not what this post is about. We're here today to talk about the terrible bigotry that has run rampant across America for some time now, a bias we should tolerate no more than racism, sexism, and all other forms of prejudice.<br />
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Yes, it's Partyism--the bias against those of differing political leanings than you. Blog, I'm sure our U.S readers agree that the liberal vs. conservative, Republican vs Democrat battle been ugly for a long time now. Few of us enjoy it. But how many of us recognize this conflict has actually resulted in bigotry? How many of us won't tolerate bias based on gender, religion, or sexual orientation, but have no trouble indulging in bad behavior if the issue is party affiliation or ideology?<br />
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Before we go any further, Blog, I want to clear up two things:<br />
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<b>Thing 1</b>--Of course it's okay to disagree, aka believe you're correct and the other side is incorrect. That's what it means to have a different opinion, and there's no law or moral code against that. In fact, each of us ought to have convictions and be willing to express them and act upon them.<br />
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<b>Thing 2</b>--You run into trouble, however, if you go too far using those opinions as a measure of judgment. In other words, if you are too quick to decide someone else is "evil," or "morally abhorrent," or "opposing God's will," or "as bad as Hitler," you are venturing onto a slippery slope. I'm not being a moral relativist here, Blog--I believe there is objective right and wrong. However, as mere humans, we do better to look at the world in shades of gray, and oppose wrong ideas and behavior rather than condemning "wrong people," except in the most extreme, truly criminal cases.<br />
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Now, if you're unwilling to look at political opinions as beliefs people hold in good conscience, arrived at by their own particular lights, then read no further. This post won't be of use to you, so carry on. The rest of you, thanks for sticking around.<br />
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Now let's begin and make our case of how bad Partyism can be. We'll achieve this by looking at nine elements of bigotry, comparing classic examples of racism, sexism, etc. with similar behaviors of Partyism.<br />
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<b>1. STEREOTYPING</b><br />
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<i>Racism: "Blacks are lazy."</i> I remember this from my childhood. Who can get away with such a statement now? And we shouldn't be able to! We <i>should </i>bridle at portrayals in old movies of African-Americans as slow and shiftless--we should feel shame at such hurtful stereotypes.<br />
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<i>Partyism: "Republicans want to take away women's rights." "Democrats don't love America."</i> Have you ever had someone from across the aisle assume something about you based on how you vote? Maybe they say because you're Republican you don't care about the poor (even though you give more to charity than that person does)? Or maybe, because you're a Democrat they think you want to kill babies (even though you think of abortion as a last resort and only want to protect mothers)?<br />
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We have to stop creating caricatures of the folks on the other side, straw men and women that embody everything we hate, and projecting those images on our friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Even when there's a reason for a stereotype, and it truly is something of a norm, nothing is universal. Before you assume you know how the other person thinks and feels, how about asking him or her? People are not political cartoons, they're people.<br />
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<b>2. GENERALIZING</b><br />
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<i>Sexual orientation bias: "All gay men just want to sleep around--why should they care about getting married?"</i> Alarm bells go off when we hear "all" or "every single" or "always." Haven't we learned you shouldn't generalize about any particular group? People who share the same religion, ethnic heritage, gender, etc. are all individuals. No duh, hey Blog?<br />
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<i>Partyism: "All Republicans are heartless and greedy." "All Democrats are bleeding hearts who never use their heads."</i> These are the sorts of statements and implications you read every day in comments, on blogs, on Facebook. If you're talking about political persuasion, apparently it's okay to make sweeping generalizations and ignore all the complexities and subtleties that make up political opinions.<br />
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Just like each gay person is a unique individual, so is each liberal, each conservative, each independent. The labels can be useful, but as often as not they will give you the a wrong or incomplete impression. Best to keep that in mind before you really misjudge or insult a friend.<br />
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<b>3. GUILT BY ASSOCIATION</b><br />
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<i>Racism: "I don't trust black people. They're criminals."</i> One of my former in-laws would simply not let go of her bias against African-Americans because a neighbor was once robbed by a black person. Well, obviously that didn't say anything about the entire race, but it was reason enough to her to make the dislike universal. She ignored the Jackson Brothers' great lyric, "One bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch, girl."<br />
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<i>Partyism: "Conservatives think rape is okay." "Liberals don't care if their protests destroy private property." </i>Blog, one thing that really frosts my cookies is when someone takes an example of really bad behavior by a member of a group and then throws it in the faces of the entire group. Did Senator So-and-So just say something ridiculous / do something horrible? Well, maybe he's in my party but guess what, I'm not so stupid to think he's right. You'd never yell "Shame on you!" at all gays because one football coach abused a bunch of young males, would you? Yet it's okay for you to lay a guilt trip on me because of one kook--<i>and</i> feel self-righteously smug about it? Seriously, Blog! It's ridiculous!<br />
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<b>4. ASSUMING INFERIORITY</b><br />
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<i>Racism: "Whites are more intelligent than blacks." </i>As hard as it may be to believe, when I was a kid this was a commonly held opinion in my community. It's appalling--as such attitudes should be.<br />
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<i>Partyism:</i> <i>"Liberals are crazy." "Conservatives have no souls."</i> Seriously, Blog...how much of an effort does each of us make to keep in mind "All men were created equal." It's perfectly possible for a person to have liberal sensibilities and be utterly sane, now isn't it? And it's perfectly possible a conservative thinker might not be morally bankrupt, isn't it? Just because a person disagrees with you doesn't mean they are less smart, thoughtful, well-informed, sane, etc. They simply have arrived at different conclusions than you. Feel free to think them mistaken, but leave your arrogant sense of superiority behind, if you please.<br />
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<b>5. PATERNALISM</b><br />
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<i>Sexism: "Well, of course she shouldn't head the company, she's a woman and the job needs someone strong and steady."</i> We can laugh at this attitude while watching "Mad Men," but it's just not cool in real life.<br />
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<i>Partyism: "He actually believes in creationism--don't bother to talk to such an idiot." "My wife's a liberal--you know how emotional they are."</i> Paternalism is treating the person like a child--it's treating a group like children who can't be reasoned with and must be coddled, manipulated, or ignored. Blog and I hate to break it to you, but intelligent adults can have an infinite number of different political opinions. Just because they don't think exactly as you do doesn't mean they're immature, silly, and hopeless. Until you can treat the other side like adults, you won't get anywhere.<br />
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<b>6. IRRATIONAL FEAR</b><br />
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<i>Religious/cutural bias: "The Jews are out to get us, so we have to get them first."</i> Yup, this kind of thinking was one of the forces that fueled Nazi Germany. Repulsive, isn't it? In every way.<br />
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<i>Partyism: "The liberals are going to destroy every last one of our traditional values." "The conservatives are going to set back women's rights 50 years."</i> All right, everyone just step back from the panic button. While it's fine to be vigilant and discourage political trends you see as harmful--in fact, that's the job of all citizens--don't let it turn to panic and unreasonable fear. Ease up on the hyperbole. Take a calm look. Ponder rationally for a moment. Do you really think every single liberal in America wants to overturn every moral principle you were taught as a kid? Do you really think every single conservative disrespects women's rights (including the females)? And do you really think you can get anywhere by assuming the very worst possible motives for those with whom you disagree?<br />
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<b>7. DISRESPECT</b><br />
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<i>Racism: "Hey, n***er, this drinking fountain is not for your kind."</i> Wow. It's unbelievable the cruelties people have inflicted on others without compunction, just because their race or religion or ethnicity or orientation is different.<br />
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<i>Partyism: "You voted for So-and-so? Well, you're a Nazi." </i>Blog, we manage to eradicate the old N-word from our national vocabulary, but now we have a new N-word. Do I seem like a Nazi to you? Well, I've been called one. I've been called plenty of other things too, not necessary directly every time, but by association. The same people who claim to detest bigotry employ its cruelties all the time without batting an eye, because the difference is political. Blog and I say--it's just as bad! We're sick of the name calling and disrespect already!<br />
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<b>8. SEGREGATION</b><br />
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<i>Religious bias: "I can't believe my daughter wants to marry a Catholic--I'll disown her."</i> It used to be commonly acceptable to have an attitude like this. Different kinds were expected to segregate themselves. Intermarriage was taboo, people didn't want to adopt children of other races, communities shut each other out. Nowadays the vast majority of Americans recognize this as wrong thinking.<br />
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<i>Partyism: "I'm unfriending all my [Republican/Democrat] friends." </i>Because heaven forfend you should tolerate those evil people in your circle! Of course it's better if you don't have to deal with the fact that people you like think differently than you! Of course you don't want to have to consider that there are people on the other side that you share things with, enjoy the company of, and actually like! Yes, Blog, sarcasm. Instead, how about we ponder the fascinating fact that people we like and respect have arrived at different opinions than we have. How about we face the awful truth that both sides have a point, both have something to contribute, both can benefit from hearing out the other? At the end of the day, maybe no one budges an inch, but we can still care for each other.<br />
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<b>9. MORAL JUDGMENT</b><br />
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<i>Sexual orientation bias: "Those faggots are going to hell."</i> Yikes, Blog. There's nothing like the pronouncement that because people are different than you, they are evil. That's the ultimate in bigotry, isn't it?<br />
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<i>Partyism: "How can you be a [Republican/Democrat]? You might as well be [Stalin/Hitler]!"</i> Blog, have you ever had someone say to you something like "I can't believe I married a [this]?" "I can't believe I raised a [that]?" "You people are so [destructive/hideous/evil]?" Well, seeing as you, Blog, are an anthropomorphized non-corporeal being, I suppose not. Well, it hurts.<br />
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So here's a news flash, all: None of us is in a position to declare others to be "evil." That politician you so loathe isn't evil, s/he just disagrees with you. Voting for him/her is not a sinful act, it's exercising a right that belongs to each of us, an exercise based upon opinion to which we are entitled without being judged.<br />
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No one should have the right to ridicule or insult you or abuse you for your political opinion, no more than for your race, religion or ethnicity. They have the right to question you respectfully, disagree with you, ask you politely to change the subject. They even have the right to tease you or poke fun at your opinion, if it's done respectfully and with good humor. But the name-calling, the guilt by association, the bigoted assumptions, the personal judgments need to be recognized for what they are: something just as bad as racism: Partyism.<br />
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Blog and I are here today to cast our votes against Partyism, and for mutual respect and understanding. Who's with us?<br />
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<i>And if you liked this post, please do share! Feel free to steal our graphic and link to this URL: http://dianalaurence.blogspot.com/2012/08/help-blog-and-me-stamp-out-partyism.html</i>Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-56987841169321842092012-08-27T20:11:00.000-05:002012-08-27T21:02:29.572-05:00A Bird House, as in, if birds built a houseBlog, bird houses and the making thereof are nothing new. But the other night I asked myself, if birds had opposable thumbs and carpentry skills and tiny tools, what sort of houses would they build? The construction would be more elaborate that you see in your typical nest, but wouldn't there still be a bird-ish sense of style? Twigs, twine, bits of found objects? And seriously, how cool would the result be?<br />
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This cool:<br />
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Yes, I decided to make this daydream come true with my own crafty crafting skills. What a blast I had too, in the nine hours it took me to construct this Bird House from the ground up. I dare say I called upon almost every skill, tool, and technique in my repertoire (and also benefited from some lessons I'd learned from previous mistakes). I'm pretty stoked about the result if I do say so myself.<br />
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Here's how it all went down.<br />
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First off, I went around the house gathering up all the materials I had on hand that a bird might use if he were some feathered combo of Mike Holmes and Scott MacGillivray. I also perused the neighborhood for twigs and pine cones. Here's the stash I compiled to your right.<br />
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I happen to be a sucker for driftwood, rocks, moss, silk plants, and other natural or faux-natural materials, so I had a lot of that around. I also had things like wood scraps, jar lids, a tiny flower pot, charms, felting wool, potpourri, ribbons, buttons, yada yada.<br />
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So, I started with a basic construction plan. For that I needed a sturdy base and some components to serve as a basis for the rooms of the Bird House. I fooled around and ended up with this set of items that looked like they would work.<br />
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That dome on the left is a broken wine glass. I was really sad when I found the glass had broken on the way home from our vacation, but it occurred to me to save it in case it would come in handy one day. A couple months later...heck yeah! (I should mention here that I'm not as huge a packrat as I seem--all my craft equipment, tools and supplies would fit easily in a medium size closet if consolidated.) I got to employ my Dremel tool to do a little woodworking, always a thrill!<br />
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Now, how to make these items look like bird construction materials.... Well, one polymer clay technique in my arsenal is the making of faux wood.<br />
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Here are "veneer" sheets ready to be applied to the boxes. I also had some leftover faux marble-like stuff that was a good fit for the project. So here's the main box covered with faux wood, with a stone and wood door with iron hardware added.<br />
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The lump on the side is a piece of stick mounted in place, which was to support the patio deck. I really had to apply my engineering skills a few times during this project.<br />
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And here to the right is the wine glass, which I confess worked out even better than I hoped. I cut windows in the clay on both sides so the light would shine all the way through.<br />
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Now of course it's nice to vary the building materials a bit. I thought it would be cool to have some stone walls, but I didn't want the rocks to be falling out all the time. So I reasoned that birds might make the walls of mud and small rocks mixed together, so I went for that. I'm not gonna lie, Blog--doing this on the four sides of this room took a very long time. Anyway, here's the room with just mud, and a doorway cut in the front of the box.<br />
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I also covered the jar lid with the same stone stuff as the front door, and applied some wood vines to the jar itself. Everything was ready to bake at last. While the pieces were in the oven, I fixed up my little flower pot with fake dirt and flowers. I also used resin in one of the jar lids to look like water, and glued birdseed in the other lid. The oven timer went off...<br />
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Not bad, but I wanted to add a mossy look to my faux wood. You know Blog, like the actual sticks I was using had. So, I used Swellegant faux finish for this; the copper paint turns green, so it worked like a charm. Meanwhile, I also added rust patina to the door hardware.<br />
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I gathered all the key components, hammer and nails, and my Gorilla Glue and went to town putting everything together. Here it is, the basic construction of the Bird House:<br />
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Now, you see in that shot that I already did some festooneries on the jar. I mounted a tea light inside the lid (with a cunning design of rubber bands and electrical tape). I put some moss in the bottom and settled in my little bird's nest from a previous project. Voila, an incubation room to provide relief to a busy bird mom! Ribbons and a pine cone finished it off--for now, anyway. You also see I used a mushroom Christmas ornament to top off the wine glass. It has an opening in it, and inside I tucked a little cushion of moss.<br />
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So, after a break for dinner and TV with Davie, it was time to come back and do the rest of the festoonery. Now this is the truly fun part! I got out my white wood glue and my Superglue, and went to town--as you will see in the detail shots here.<br />
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Mama bird is from the aforementioned previous project. And here you see how the mud-and-rock wall came out. Some sticks, a potpourri pine-coney thing, ribbon, moss, and a golden leafy vine charm compliment the beauty of the wall. Inside the room is some comfy, curly wool...this is, after all, the master bedroom.<br />
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Atop this room is the windowed cupola, candlelit inside for cozy reading or billing and cooing. It's crowned with the mushroom playhouse, currently occupied by the resident family's fledgling daughter. Festooneries here include twine and fungus, neat.<br />
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Talk about curb--er--branch appeal...check out the front door of the bird house's "great room." I framed up this part of the building with pretty sticks and a stately pine cone. The rosebuds and little seed cluster thingies were in my potpourri bag. I made a "wreath" from a button and some ribbon. And the welcome mat is flower petals.<br />
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Here's the final shot of the nursery. Moss conceals the glue around the pine cone topper, and decorates the base. I think you can tell, Blog, how much I dig moss.<br />
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Closeup of the nest. The eggs and sticks are polymer clay, and I also used bits of thread to construct the nest. Chip away, little hatchlings!<br />
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The patio is a great place to entertain guests, or just relax and refresh. The family can enjoy water and food in a spacious setting framed out in rustic sticks, and resplendent with greenery and a collection of beautiful stones and raw gems. Here the daddy bird, also previously made, enjoys a drink in the shade of the potted plant.<br />
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Beneath the patio is the leaf swing, a real leaf (from the potpourri) hung on twine ropes. A great place to "hang out."<br />
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Of course I had to make sure the back of the house was also attractive--don't want the neighbors to have a boring view! By the way, the toppers on those two tall sticks were more weird natural items from the potpourri bag...no idea what they are, but they look nice!<br />
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Here's a close up of the back wall. Tiles leftover from our bar backsplash project fit right in with the faux wood, and support more clumps and dangles of fun moss.<br />
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The Bird House looks uber-cozy by night.<br />
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The candle flickers in the cupola room.<br />
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And the eggs stay cozy in the nursery.<br />
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And here, Blog, is the Bird House as a centerpiece in our dining room. I'm expecting the birds on our patio to be pounding on the patio doors asking for a home tour. You know, like aviary House Hunters.<br />
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So, Blog, that's the story of what happens when our feathered friends meet HGTV. At least the way we imagine it here at Magic House....<br />
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[For larger resolution images, see my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50946698@N04/7877087084/in/photostream/">Flickr feed</a>.<br />
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Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-14146484164923727432012-08-09T11:14:00.001-05:002012-08-09T11:14:09.123-05:00Twelve top tips from an efficiency expertOkay, Blog--I'm not licensed or anything, but I did realize the other day that I seem to have a natural-born ability to be efficient. For one thing, if I had a nickel for every time someone asked me, "How do you get so much done?" I'd be up to my nose in nickels. For another, I often notice people around me doing things that seem all kinds of inefficient, but they don't seem to notice.<br />
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Now, I tend to think this efficiency of mine is just another symptom of my anality (not a word but should be). But on the other hand, who these days wouldn't like more free time?<br />
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So for that reason I decided to share twelve of my top tips for how to save yourself some time (for more rounds of the <a href="http://dianalaurence.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-10-minutes-o-fun-game.html">Ten Minutes o' Fun Game</a>, perhaps). Hopefully one or two of them will be helpful to our readers!<br />
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<b>1. Keep your email inbox empty.</b><br />
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Your email inbox can serve as a to-do list without any extra effort on your part. Try by the end of each day to clean it out except for items you still need to address. Delete the stuff you don't need to keep right away--that's easy and saves you the time of looking at it a second time.<br />
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File items you may need later into designated folders: examples are notifications of bills to be paid (calendar those, too!), and coupons you might use later (it'll be easy later to delete the ones that are old). When you have responded to an email, delete the original. If you keep the text of the original in your reply, then the version in your Sent box is all you need to keep.<br />
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The goal of the clean inbox will motivate you not to procrastinate, help keep you organized, and keep you from forgetting things you need to do.<br />
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<b>2. Have a pending folder.</b><br />
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Could work at home, and essential for office jobs. If you send out an email that requires a response from the recipient, just pop over to your Sent box and move the message to your Pending box.<br />
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Keep it there till you have an answer, then delete or otherwise file. If the recipient dawdles in responding, you won't lose track--and can send a reminder quickly by just forwarding the original message. You can monitor ongoing issues easily by reviewing your Pending box each morning.<br />
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<b>3. Back up everything!</b><br />
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This is a case of investing time to save time. Backing up everything shouldn't take more than ten minutes once a week, once you have a system in place. You need to tailor this plan to your own electronics, but here's how I do mine, every weekend:<br />
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<li>Computer files--Search for changed documents from the past week, copy to backup files on detachable hard drive.</li>
<li>Email--Copy outlook.pst file to detachable hard drive.</li>
<li>Electronic journal (on flash drive)--Use software backup program to back up to PC.</li>
<li>Phone--Use backup software to back up to PC; sync calendar, contacts, and photos.</li>
<li>Camera--Off load photos to PC, delete from camera (yes, really!), back up to Walgreens.com.</li>
<li>MP3 player--Keep copies of all music on Amazon Cloud.</li>
<li>Nook--Keep copies of books on PC and/or Barnesandnoble.com.</li>
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And when you're working on something really important, frequent saves and more-frequent-than-weekly backups are the order of the day. NO EXCUSES, START DOING #3 FROM NOW ON!</div>
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<b>4. Learn and use keyboard shortcuts.</b></div>
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If you type a lot, you'll be amazed the time you save by using these instead of dropdown menu steps.<br />
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<li>Ctrl + s = save</li>
<li>Ctrl + c = copy</li>
<li>Ctrl + v = paste</li>
<li>Ctrl + x = delete</li>
<li>Ctrl + z = undo</li>
<li>Ctrl + y = redo</li>
<li>Ctrl + b = bold</li>
<li>Ctrl + i = italics</li>
<li>Ctrl + u = underline</li>
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If there is any sort of word processing step that you do a lot, check (by googling) if there's a shortcut. Also be mindful to copy and paste multiple text rather than retyping it each time ("Ctrl +" for example, LOL).<div>
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<b>5. Throw (or give) things away.</b><div>
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Clutter not only looks messy and takes up space, it slows you down. If you have 24 pairs of shoes, and only wear 12 pairs of them, the other 12 pairs just get in the way of your finding the shoes you want to wear. Same principle applies to books, paperwork, DVR'd shows you'll never watch, stuff in your pantry and fridge you'll never eat, etc. </div>
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If you haven't worn, used, touched, or looked at something in an appropriate amount of time (e.g., one year for clothes, six months for non-perishable food, etc.), then give it away or toss it. If you occasionally pick an area of your house to "purge"--the kitchen junk drawer, your jewelry box--the task needn't be time consuming or dreadful.</div>
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<b>6. Stay organized.</b></div>
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The sister principle to #5. I know it's easier to just throw something in a drawer than to take the trouble to put it in the <i>right</i> drawer. And it's also easier to have the drawer just a big open drawer o' stuff than put an organizer in it with a spot for everything. But doing things in an organized way actually saves time when it comes to finding what you need. </div>
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I hated the tangle of charger cords in my electronics drawer--having each neatly bound up and in it's own cubby saved me time and hassles.</div>
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I hate filing, and I used to just throw my filing at home in a big pile and then once a year or so face the huge chore of putting it all in the right places. But during the course of the year, I was constantly having to go through that whole huge pile when I needed to find something--huge waste of time. Gotta keep on that stuff.</div>
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<b>7. Go digital.</b></div>
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Of course, my filing problem has been greatly alleviated these days because I have almost nothing on paper. Examples: I pay bills online, so those websites keep records for me; bank statements are online, correspondence is electronic; I have Google Maps and GPS on my phone so no need for maps and directions on paper, etc. </div>
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Not only does this eliminate paperwork, it makes things <i>way</i> easier to find, because everything is searchable. Where did I put those theater tickets to "The Book of Mormon" next January? Well, when I downloaded them, I named the file with "tix" in it, so I can do a search in My Documents and find them in a sec. So even misfiling isn't a problem! (And you bet I have a backup copy!!!) Which reminds me, you should learn how to use the search function both for files and in your email--you'll eliminate a lot of frustration.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5ko3ciAOjzhfWzVLHaHsyBOICm9o3fRG5-a3vPfcYnPRP3HMq5okCZsq8VZUVa-TKBWNFKahPzcf66XD4tnPbEPxyLIUJJxA1V2CDJP_QBGkoYQWDEHokAxrughpz2JmZUSkj_Osp-c/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5ko3ciAOjzhfWzVLHaHsyBOICm9o3fRG5-a3vPfcYnPRP3HMq5okCZsq8VZUVa-TKBWNFKahPzcf66XD4tnPbEPxyLIUJJxA1V2CDJP_QBGkoYQWDEHokAxrughpz2JmZUSkj_Osp-c/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>8. Multitask.</b></div>
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Be mindful of times when you can do more than one thing at once. Even if the task is small, the cumulative effect can save you tons of time. This example may be ridiculous, Blog, but here it is: In the morning when I'm getting ready, I simultaneously do my leg stretches, brush my teeth, and pull out the beauty care stuff I need to use that morning. This saves me maybe 1.25 minutes a day, but that adds up to almost eight hours a year! </div>
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More crazy but effective examples: cleaning old mail and photos off my phone while going to the bathroom (TMI, Blog?); letting the cat, who requires supervised feeding, eat while I pack my lunch; and catching up with my Dad on the phone while doing some mindless type of task at work. A no-brainer: save up "sitting chores" like mending and menu planning for TV watching that doesn't need your full attention (like sporting events and SyFy channel movies).</div>
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<b>9. Plan weekly menus.</b></div>
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Speaking of, unless you enjoy grocery shopping as recreation, menu planning is something you should do. We only buy food once or twice a week, so no struggling with "what to have tonight" and repeat trips to the store. I put the menu on the top of the grocery list I make each weekend, and then we tack it to the fridge so we know what to thaw out for the next day and so on.</div>
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<b>10. Remember electronic calendars are your friends.</b></div>
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If you have a smart phone, sync it to your PC calendar. And use your calendars, both at work and at home! They have handy, built in to-do lists and note areas where you can keep information at your fingertips. If you have something to do and a sieve-like brain like mine, put a reminder on your calendar (phone and otherwise). </div>
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This works for everything from dates to pay bills, to reminders of stuff you need to bring to work, to birthdays. If you make a date with someone, note it right away while you're thinking of it. Then (and believe it or not, I know a lot of people who fail at this), check your calendar each day and each week!</div>
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<img border="0" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBBJni0jndIIMfcKgcJca1YT6jl24cejuquncXGUIDPdt58kYrAn6IpW8l1OLgL12EoHYCQ2Gi1SHpQgBo_MTULVfasLmcFxE5aqyxDf4jAvIatCM6o1I2_WiSUpIngX7cVgXgVvePiU/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<b>11. Consider using a password program.</b></div>
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Some people use the same password for everything--which is an invitation for disaster involving hackers and identity theft. Some people write all their passwords down--which is fine if you have those notes handy all the time, but who wants to risk having something like that that could be lost or fall into the wrong hands? </div>
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I use a system called <a href="http://www.roboform.com/">Roboform</a>, which not only stores my passwords, it lets me access them via web anywhere, and also lets me fill in forms online with a single click. Roboform itself is password protected both locally and online, obviously (and that's a complex password I change often and only keep in my head!). I can't even begin to guess, between entering passwords and filling out forms, how much time this saves me in a year. Lots.</div>
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<b>12. Think like an efficiency expert.</b></div>
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Only you can really improve the time you waste by being inefficient in key areas of your life. Spend some time thinking about the things <i>you</i> do that take up a lot of time, and figure out how you might reduce that time. Here are some examples to spark your brainstorming:</div>
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<li>Make homemade chili often? Cook up a huge batch at once, divide up and freeze.</li>
<li>Tired of waiting at the coffee shop each day for your morning latte? Think about making your own coffee. Even if it's only for you, the combination of a good thermos and your microwave could mean only making coffee two or three times a week.</li>
<li>Still prefer getting the lattes at the coffee shop? Figure out something you can do while in line each morning, like tasks on your smartphone (Facebook catch up, reading the headlines, emails), reading a magazine or newspaper, checking your to-do list or making the grocery list.</li>
<li>Hate spending time paying bills? Set up automated payments with your bank or the utility in question. (Just make sure to subtract them all from your checking account each month.)</li>
<li>Struggling with medical recordkeeping--FSA, HRA, health insurance issues? Create a spreadsheet to track the status of claims, funding levels, etc.</li>
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And if you're not the type of person who is inspired by the joys of efficiency and organization, look at it this way, Blog: just like saving money for something you want to buy, you can save time for something you want to do. Think in terms of that long bubble bath, that extra hour to play a game or read a book, or just a chance to sleep in later. Sounds like a great plan to me, and I'm the expert! :-)</div>
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</div>Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-59727787850972080122012-08-07T15:28:00.001-05:002012-08-07T15:28:43.669-05:00The 10 Minutes o' Fun GameHey Blog, did you ever have a stray hour or so of free time, and wish you could convert it to as much fun as possible? Well, this is what happened to me, and while pondering what to do with said 60 minutes, I had a sudden epiphany.<br />
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I invented the 10 Minutes o' Fun Game!<br />
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No--don't say a word, Blog...I can see on your non-corporeal face how eager you are to learn how to play! Hopefully our readers are too. Here's how it works: Think of a small thing to do, something you know you will enjoy, but won't take more than ten minutes. Do said thing, and after you're done, think of another ten minutes of fun and do that! Allowing for one or two of these ten minute things to take a little longer, you still should be able to do five--count 'em, five--fun things in your free hour!<br />
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I will demonstrate by sharing with you what I did with my hour:<br />
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<b>10 Minutes o' Fun Thing #1: Estate Tour</b><br />
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"Touring the estate" is what my parents used to call looking around the yard at the gardens. Magic House is a condo so it has a small yard, but I still like to go outside on a summer night and just look at the plants and trees. I admired my new rock arrangement on the patio (rocks from our vacay trip around Lake Michigan), looked at the front porch and thought about sitting out there on the folding lounge sometime (new idea), and watered the east flower bed. Got to savor the outdoors in that smidge of truly quality time!<br />
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<b>10 Minutes o' Fun Thing #2: Living Room Check</b><br />
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If you never just pause to look at your own stuff, before long you won't even see it anymore. I very frequently just walk around my house and look at the wall art and knick-knacks. This time I combined the experience with letting Selke sit on my lap and be cuddled. Bonus. In the process I noticed a book pile that looked uncool, and this led to...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLOfYlZv3wZJRhKWpVhyphenhyphenUtNNuN26caI40WgAFwPTXTCZqBM-GS7S7qVFPL29ionycWVu7mkP2DAjP2pfbjPTZm10i25hyphenhyphenVOkhODX5N19zU4GEu3C0PZ1Ac1tdvrRBono0EiAHVioeW98/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLOfYlZv3wZJRhKWpVhyphenhyphenUtNNuN26caI40WgAFwPTXTCZqBM-GS7S7qVFPL29ionycWVu7mkP2DAjP2pfbjPTZm10i25hyphenhyphenVOkhODX5N19zU4GEu3C0PZ1Ac1tdvrRBono0EiAHVioeW98/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>10 Minutes o' Fun Thing #3: Scrapbook Repair and Perusal</b><br />
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In said book pile was the scrapbook I made of the aforementioned Lake Michigan Circle Tour trip that we took in June. The cover kinda came off recently. So I was inspired just then to fix the cover, and then just flip through the book again, and then put it away upstairs, making the book pile look better. You may be noticing a theme, Blog: during the course of your fun, you sometimes complete odd little tasks you've been putting off. This adds a sense of accomplishment to the game!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGl6LTnlEFZI8FoLoDhZvJj5xUc9wHd3vmVdj-5sgjQT-XHoKNErtsAkvJQNHWnp5EOSF1PfGEe7jBxAvKGR7Xzghp7oQ-OWAwa_Nq3IxHy-EgvDNyZo5WevqssZPp2Izsuu17bXMP2rA/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGl6LTnlEFZI8FoLoDhZvJj5xUc9wHd3vmVdj-5sgjQT-XHoKNErtsAkvJQNHWnp5EOSF1PfGEe7jBxAvKGR7Xzghp7oQ-OWAwa_Nq3IxHy-EgvDNyZo5WevqssZPp2Izsuu17bXMP2rA/s320/3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cloud Chair in its usual spot</td></tr>
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<b>10 Minutes o' Fun Thing #4: Foot Treatment</b><br />
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While I was upstairs, I remembered it had been a coon's age since I PedEgg-ed my feet. (That's using a PedEgg to get your feet all smooth.) I followed it up with a nice foot massage with shea butter. Now we're talking fun, <i>mes amis</i>!<br />
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<b>10 Minutes o' Fun Thing #5: New Perspective Lounging</b><br />
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We have two Cloud Chairs (normal people call them papasan chairs) at Magic House, one in the living room. I had the sudden brainstorm that it would be fun to move the Cloud Chair in front of the sliding doors that lead to our patio, to catch the breeze and the evening view. With Selke looking on perplexedly, I dragged the chair over, and settled in in the dark room with my backlit Nook Tablet and a good book. What a grand idea this was! The chair barely fits there, but temporarily...why not? I'll be doing it again soon, I'm sure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0dIogKTqD5W2R1aj7iN7FrdzgGrKw_Tb7MkoqELjTWXvJiV0aVPzfgoPqbDhhvoEo1fzsUnr3kpKtquG-0Sz00oN2sMMhrs9pjYxUbLicf25X1TjqPRZFTZ5VHPfgwpqJRttWyodgC8/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0dIogKTqD5W2R1aj7iN7FrdzgGrKw_Tb7MkoqELjTWXvJiV0aVPzfgoPqbDhhvoEo1fzsUnr3kpKtquG-0Sz00oN2sMMhrs9pjYxUbLicf25X1TjqPRZFTZ5VHPfgwpqJRttWyodgC8/s320/2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New spot for the Cloud Chair</td></tr>
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I read a bit longer than 10 minutes, but all in all, these things took me about an hour and a quarter. And they were varied, so I felt like I'd experienced way more fun than 75 minutes' worth! I still had time to watch an episode of My Little Pony in bed before lights out!<br />
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I'm pretty sure the 10 Minutes o' Fun Game hasn't heard the last of me. Or me of it. Give it a try soon, Blog, and you too, readers! Let me know if you enjoy yourself in a disproportionate-to-time-spent way like I did!Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-41456254365353903012012-07-23T16:20:00.000-05:002012-07-23T16:20:19.672-05:00The Artist's Quandary (or at least mine)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzy6fEKDNlVuX8fQEyr5twRbaM0hc3uihn8chxGtzz-yKoiiI-T9CWa_T9Qxx9hZkboD5bVmMY4VlWjKNfc9qlhIMMj0B4n_PZhOFd8bZGFqhqT08Vytlei7M13i8zpvNQI62Hzuolws/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzy6fEKDNlVuX8fQEyr5twRbaM0hc3uihn8chxGtzz-yKoiiI-T9CWa_T9Qxx9hZkboD5bVmMY4VlWjKNfc9qlhIMMj0B4n_PZhOFd8bZGFqhqT08Vytlei7M13i8zpvNQI62Hzuolws/s320/1.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most popular website I've created</td></tr>
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So here’s my quandary, Blog:<br />
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On the one hand, I have this passionate desire to create things that are so uniquely, brilliantly original and captivating that they manage to please “most of the people most of the time.” In other words, I want to be the creator of something popular enough that it will naturally also result in some amount of fame. Isn’t that any artist’s ultimate goal?<br />
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However, I’ve experienced--just a little--what fame is like; and that’s the other hand. The public always possesses a sense of ownership towards the famous. They feel entitled to know whatever they want to know about you. They believe their affection for you ought to be reciprocated, at least a little. Although some of them respect your time and privacy, the majority aspire, however well-meaningly, to rob you of both.
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyavwVrVUADJIJWvVkd_y53epOn15ojTccHv2_n1gDMQ6qPK34d90KVe46jSgKxgIzPT5hsqoAFkbIPgp2rJvWSvQHfvQRamWFMPM5CkJOBCHceXAXxBNYu9h_7ZTnkfQmlyAn5b1gKg/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyavwVrVUADJIJWvVkd_y53epOn15ojTccHv2_n1gDMQ6qPK34d90KVe46jSgKxgIzPT5hsqoAFkbIPgp2rJvWSvQHfvQRamWFMPM5CkJOBCHceXAXxBNYu9h_7ZTnkfQmlyAn5b1gKg/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MY favorite website I've created</td></tr>
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Meanwhile usually there are others whose success depends upon your fame, and these people will drive you mercilessly…as undoubtedly you would drive yourself even without their demands. Becoming and staying famous is very hard work—hard work that can be utterly inescapable. Unless, of course, fame abruptly abandons you.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWbOWNWwzR0mWcwwgK6YOaSGb9XkpxZkOa08pm4Cjg4_QeZLFtkvbGvcaT47ssIMZ1ppk6892El27qiZzeQO-6qTdPjo4kOWyVZNGqvAsvHVG2YXZjIC5jvne5RldTsu_jL_IYql_O0M/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWbOWNWwzR0mWcwwgK6YOaSGb9XkpxZkOa08pm4Cjg4_QeZLFtkvbGvcaT47ssIMZ1ppk6892El27qiZzeQO-6qTdPjo4kOWyVZNGqvAsvHVG2YXZjIC5jvne5RldTsu_jL_IYql_O0M/s320/3.jpg" width="187" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My most famous crafted creation</td></tr>
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Yes, don’t forget that any passion your devotees feel is subject to being doused in the next week or day or hour, either by familiarity or some new distraction. Meanwhile, of course, they have lives of their own, and for all their temporary interest in yours, theirs naturally take precedence. The adage “fame is fleeting” the truest of old saws. And as much as I’ve been annoyed by the demands of my flirtations with slight fame, being forgotten or ignored is just as unpleasant.<br />
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The creative will create, and if they have talent, will doubtless create some beauty. It is impossible for artists to desire that their work not be too beautiful, lest it attract too much attention. We can’t help but want our art to be admired, and be driven by that yearning. So either an artist will be annoyed by the costs of fame, or disheartened by the lack of it. I want my work to be loved, but I don’t want to suffer anything by consequence. Isn’t that just like a human being to only want the upside?
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtBkOwfCQHGcu6nqiq6LTCNC_qxXFBmu8MLIyC1jz8QPd-8DRMg60amy3-_osB-8z7LV99tshSNFkcj1cckAPxr9rEl6jlcl71-n5ejI5QizUXpl2bJ4pnuUzueoedlrLlg_tsPQ-6OQ/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtBkOwfCQHGcu6nqiq6LTCNC_qxXFBmu8MLIyC1jz8QPd-8DRMg60amy3-_osB-8z7LV99tshSNFkcj1cckAPxr9rEl6jlcl71-n5ejI5QizUXpl2bJ4pnuUzueoedlrLlg_tsPQ-6OQ/s320/6.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MY favorite crafted creation</td></tr>
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There is another problem—yes, yet another! Sadly for the creator, there is no fairness or justice as to the popularity of art. We’ve all heard the countless stories of unrecognized genius that clearly demonstrate it’s folly for an artist to base his self-worth upon public recognition. The most exquisite work may not attract the slightest attention, the smallest validation, particularly if circumstances do not put it the public eye. “Putting it in the public eye” is, of course, marketing--the most precocious, frustrating business there is.<br />
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Marketing is a mysterious science even the greatest expert cannot decisively understand or apply. I’m one of those people who rather like marketing, but even I agonize over it. Who are the people who would enjoy my creation? Where are they? How can I reach them using my limited powers and resources? How can I shout louder than my competitors? Should I shout louder--or is morally wrong for me to try? How much shouting can I do before I exhaust myself and come to loathe my own creation?
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Who wants to make life into the equivalent of a high school popularity contest? Didn’t I start this just wanting to create something wonderful?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14E-kJyeNTglMEn4tmSJ53SUBmGWAlE2YiTSNvx-xIfWkNYWnyO1InnQ8Vd4BcrPS-2FAtICa2-e_XuKQXFBu7_AMiDUfTt5SZ82dQGQ4zqrevzRipcaLRcKD0VD0GSG-HMbfaGzO40s/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14E-kJyeNTglMEn4tmSJ53SUBmGWAlE2YiTSNvx-xIfWkNYWnyO1InnQ8Vd4BcrPS-2FAtICa2-e_XuKQXFBu7_AMiDUfTt5SZ82dQGQ4zqrevzRipcaLRcKD0VD0GSG-HMbfaGzO40s/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My most popular book</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, to sum up: I want to be loved but not too famous, I’d rather be famous than unnoticed, and either way I want not to lose control of my time, effort, and creative license. Oh, of course I know it’s ridiculous to hope for all this--there’s no such thing as a free lunch, especially at my level of talent. But my problem is, I don’t even know what’s most important to me, or most likely to make me happy. I’m almost 56 years old, and I don’t even know what my dreams and aspirations should be!
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I’m sure a guru with a far higher consciousness than mine would give me this advice: Simply create what you wish, and enjoy it yourself! I know I could try this...but there’s something inherently unnatural about that, isn’t there? Would it have been good for Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of his private home rather than the Sistine Chapel? Or for that talented star of the local theater production you enjoyed to not try out for the part? Or for your Aunt Sue to only bake her fantastic apple pie for herself? Of course not--even the humblest works of human minds and hands, such as mine, are worthy of sharing with others. Human society wants and needs such things to be shared.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI1wH3vZZQwnFYMLICTflPoTX7zoQkzc3uELJ7cUXUC_XEAWdiWiwpqw0B6KOpNCtBW47osuZFhv8M9DHrym2FwCtABI_uLO8x7HLu_JnlPPemNGL2sxm901R1BtP3aH_kNTiVrfCDlc/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI1wH3vZZQwnFYMLICTflPoTX7zoQkzc3uELJ7cUXUC_XEAWdiWiwpqw0B6KOpNCtBW47osuZFhv8M9DHrym2FwCtABI_uLO8x7HLu_JnlPPemNGL2sxm901R1BtP3aH_kNTiVrfCDlc/s320/4.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MY fave book (of course)</td></tr>
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I
suppose there is another approach, although it’s not the easiest to pull off: create and share, by the simple means at
hand, but don’t judge yourself based upon the praise you garner. If there is praise, enjoy it, but if there is
not, you can still delight in what you’ve created, and be glad that you have
the good fortune to be able to do so.
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Maybe that last bit is the most important thing of all. If you are born with a skill, have had the opportunity to cultivate it, to train and practice, then be grateful. There are others around you who would trade a great deal to have your ability. Try not to focus on what you wish you could do, those lofty goals you are highly unlikely to achieve, and think instead how fortunate you are to be gifted with your talents.
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It is a cliché that artists are tormented—a cliché based in large part on the truth. But if I want to be a happy artist rather than a tortured one, perhaps there really is a way to make that a reality. As in so much of life, it may depend far less on action, and far more on attitude.
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Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-68739291176875883742012-04-27T08:29:00.001-05:002012-04-27T08:29:55.228-05:00Aggie illustration swag revealedPer my promise, Blog, here's the cool stuff I got incorporating Anna Rettberg's beautiful illustration of Aggie and her heroes.<br />
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I ordered this 30 x 10 print from <a href="http://www.bayphoto.com/">Bay Photo</a>, mounted on gatorboard with offset (so it "floats" on the wall) and laminated. It looks so amazing here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoF_tz7xhKsAWIiENCF-Ke3HO-J0Xy6o8wvXZR0v-6oEkJmNjfucBDPP2TQF4WxfxDwqkw98I3Mv9M2qLkUGbdG3CGdYmy7AhdwMGlkZdPYQjSts-FaTIDqazM-MC68l-ggPsHcMXV6Go/s1600/A9Hwall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoF_tz7xhKsAWIiENCF-Ke3HO-J0Xy6o8wvXZR0v-6oEkJmNjfucBDPP2TQF4WxfxDwqkw98I3Mv9M2qLkUGbdG3CGdYmy7AhdwMGlkZdPYQjSts-FaTIDqazM-MC68l-ggPsHcMXV6Go/s400/A9Hwall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And I also ordered a mug from Cafe Press. The illustration's layout is perfect for this. I'm drinking out of it even as I type this!<br />
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Aggie fans, if you want to order your own print from Anna's online store, here is <a href="http://society6.com/AnnaRettberg/Aggies-Nine-Heroes_Print">the link</a>!<br />
<br />Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-59561461793686634252012-04-22T09:11:00.000-05:002012-04-22T09:11:13.236-05:00The Magic House art collectionBlog, here are two of the great things about my life:<br />
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(1) I get to meet and know a lot of creative, artistic people, and<br />
(2) My husband loves to shop.<br />
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The cumulative effect of these two factors is that my home, aka Magic House, has acquired quite a collection of art pieces I really love. Oh, I'll add modestly that I make a lot of stuff of my own, and sometimes it turns out good enough to display proudly as well.<br />
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Yesterday I completed a project I'd wanted to do for awhile: inventorying our art collection. We have over 100 pieces of wall art and displayable objects, so many that we sometimes have to rotate them in and out, like a real gallery. It was fun for me to really appreciate and savor each piece by recording it, the artist, the place we got it, and its current location. (And yes, I am a little bit anal-retentive, why do you ask?)<br />
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I photographed a sample of things...some that are my favorites, and some that just seem representative of the sorts of things we collect. And here they are:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaTF2Wt8KsObfn3sAYjgLCdDWf8K2tX6Wl-F8xp4Dl_bm9bC23w-oM0HntCIvWuun25nmR_8W6kJ279ynno5wlv7z0oYgbnnGGd3O2YormccuWX9fewWca2uPMyPSEJnGCdIgf-W1KZY/s1600/IMG_6054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaTF2Wt8KsObfn3sAYjgLCdDWf8K2tX6Wl-F8xp4Dl_bm9bC23w-oM0HntCIvWuun25nmR_8W6kJ279ynno5wlv7z0oYgbnnGGd3O2YormccuWX9fewWca2uPMyPSEJnGCdIgf-W1KZY/s320/IMG_6054.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Lloyd Wright Bradley Skylight glass panel, and ceramic bowl with "rock heads" by a local artist whose name, alas, I have lost.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWfMxmBIhP-X0-m43LDJpRJ46qaQ5_-e5Lscwgtgg9SKgoJk68YsDTv54xtc-5hQt-tsTDGbYskyICr_VD2y7BEAS2WkrXpNKwJqpYtPW7klQzZ_PEYF6IlBGmahaJnrPm4d-1DYHKVI/s1600/IMG_6055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWfMxmBIhP-X0-m43LDJpRJ46qaQ5_-e5Lscwgtgg9SKgoJk68YsDTv54xtc-5hQt-tsTDGbYskyICr_VD2y7BEAS2WkrXpNKwJqpYtPW7klQzZ_PEYF6IlBGmahaJnrPm4d-1DYHKVI/s320/IMG_6055.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our prize possessions, the "Time Travel Orb," which is a fused glass ball with a floating boulder opal by James Yaun. The faux metal cat scupture was made by me. Also love this side table, with a concrete top with embedded rocks, one of a kind, by a Wisconsin company.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdJrp3P1tXhlWXudi19zmVRGpwJkfMWI3K8yf1x2A1eiIlQ5VbASih0t_YUJi1LOKlH3wx36R2nifQ9273M53WchTMdaeFKob4uMNJLIEydk3blFr9YuTytnKU17M9cTTWhbUCAhdkB4/s1600/IMG_6064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdJrp3P1tXhlWXudi19zmVRGpwJkfMWI3K8yf1x2A1eiIlQ5VbASih0t_YUJi1LOKlH3wx36R2nifQ9273M53WchTMdaeFKob4uMNJLIEydk3blFr9YuTytnKU17M9cTTWhbUCAhdkB4/s320/IMG_6064.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also prized: original Route 66 Polaroid photo by our daughter Katie's boyfriend Chris Robleski (yes, we are fortunately to have a slew of his stuff on display), and painting of Santa Monica Pier bought for us at Dan Rice's Rt. 66 to Cali stand.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOuBn657rRJK7pasmdXhP8DmiTbwa9WUtduPqtLolNvXKh_pXu2zdF8YOIGvem_-Q_n-bN6m04GgwIWTTWRzPHAbbA4D1dJVl8IlNpOdv17antfy2qC0jRRhlmWRd50z537SSlJsGJrM/s1600/IMG_6048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOuBn657rRJK7pasmdXhP8DmiTbwa9WUtduPqtLolNvXKh_pXu2zdF8YOIGvem_-Q_n-bN6m04GgwIWTTWRzPHAbbA4D1dJVl8IlNpOdv17antfy2qC0jRRhlmWRd50z537SSlJsGJrM/s320/IMG_6048.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A total surprise gift from husband Davie, these are actual "etched" leaves in a shadowbox. Artist: Bookey Morey.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_2uBPGr-f2s2gWT9YTOwR15jFLnZ2mwWXF1Md7Pvmywr-IjLBvMWKLrqXnhJhn-AZyFUAGJUoYipbp3IaD_2-gStgVirvPh8wugkzZf7HlO-W7HIMlKMtzFzmsuTXR9AX2s1AYem7UU/s1600/IMG_6052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_2uBPGr-f2s2gWT9YTOwR15jFLnZ2mwWXF1Md7Pvmywr-IjLBvMWKLrqXnhJhn-AZyFUAGJUoYipbp3IaD_2-gStgVirvPh8wugkzZf7HlO-W7HIMlKMtzFzmsuTXR9AX2s1AYem7UU/s320/IMG_6052.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Print of a watercolor/ink landscape of Galena, Illinois by one of our favorite artists, Carl Johnson. We have five of his prints hanging in our house--this one is in the powder room.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42SLvkgzhg0ynJbDl_t7JYhj-zAafBbNhY8OeikJ6-rfiCtRV3g9Ww8391AvcfXYTxqRs8gE5aiqGYcDuHv-wG_urq3c27L7HZtWn-vp6C4pJKvgZ64ZSQLaUgo0Yf0Wno5GRNweo988/s1600/IMG_6053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42SLvkgzhg0ynJbDl_t7JYhj-zAafBbNhY8OeikJ6-rfiCtRV3g9Ww8391AvcfXYTxqRs8gE5aiqGYcDuHv-wG_urq3c27L7HZtWn-vp6C4pJKvgZ64ZSQLaUgo0Yf0Wno5GRNweo988/s320/IMG_6053.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizza house by Heather Goldmine, and Rinconada cat from Uraguay, on the living room window seat.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNUTE259LqFiHnVVlacTK-C_6RLnmc1w_AHEvMlDrKoGjs8fTRP0SeFijHZftMXkr-y3iLD3Mrbfd0dxosLmHmc_LOwr6_wclgcXk4ZDVln3EDkVsmcQa_x9V-Wew2yNWmvccWwRPDyY/s1600/IMG_6057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNUTE259LqFiHnVVlacTK-C_6RLnmc1w_AHEvMlDrKoGjs8fTRP0SeFijHZftMXkr-y3iLD3Mrbfd0dxosLmHmc_LOwr6_wclgcXk4ZDVln3EDkVsmcQa_x9V-Wew2yNWmvccWwRPDyY/s320/IMG_6057.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centipede etching, #3 of 3, by daughter Katie Nelson, in the bedroom.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSAMyN8RayLsc4asvYBk-wnVz2iAj8wRJWZi4QqVw9lQrVnTnYBpC49Xzt4Wk4swnwrqX-4usSnUs_aPUIMnveBVOjswPRUnssbls9ABdqXbsfYOSVDVoYfew775ZqVU2QSlMijNgZ_g/s1600/IMG_6059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSAMyN8RayLsc4asvYBk-wnVz2iAj8wRJWZi4QqVw9lQrVnTnYBpC49Xzt4Wk4swnwrqX-4usSnUs_aPUIMnveBVOjswPRUnssbls9ABdqXbsfYOSVDVoYfew775ZqVU2QSlMijNgZ_g/s320/IMG_6059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milwaukee River Renaissance by Lynn Casper, in the bedroom.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPphMH0WtWi-WPpVpqYw5aNyPT_sLE8bjEQBsdnWDyzk7_iRn53w_qy9tSIotuM1YG3q9DQJM3cxHZqgWQNFPhbh1iIGRpyhNJaeNahjQLyxt6okVfSoMmHBk-qGRF5OGsjeDhCdS1vzY/s1600/IMG_6060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPphMH0WtWi-WPpVpqYw5aNyPT_sLE8bjEQBsdnWDyzk7_iRn53w_qy9tSIotuM1YG3q9DQJM3cxHZqgWQNFPhbh1iIGRpyhNJaeNahjQLyxt6okVfSoMmHBk-qGRF5OGsjeDhCdS1vzY/s320/IMG_6060.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few years ago, Katie and I made custom ceramic cats for each family member for Valentine's Day. Each of us also got a photo of all four cats. Quill (for a writer) is mine, and Scrubs is Davie's (for his cleaning business).
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnNjyYO_Nlv_vtWp641Ju0BCKUqKoKd0iKauYAlKzZD_9oO4j_ud9D-yzLLkjJX9MigtES4RQdnWbx4x8RxlDkm5A8F463Uo6HQZpkvehmr5Qq-sfYfEi-xPFpgDW5xovFNDlP2CJrEs/s1600/IMG_6061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnNjyYO_Nlv_vtWp641Ju0BCKUqKoKd0iKauYAlKzZD_9oO4j_ud9D-yzLLkjJX9MigtES4RQdnWbx4x8RxlDkm5A8F463Uo6HQZpkvehmr5Qq-sfYfEi-xPFpgDW5xovFNDlP2CJrEs/s320/IMG_6061.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made this dish garden, which is currently on the wine rack under the installation of 12 of Katie's "textures" photographs.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyP-xHiUiAo2Yp6UGAYnARLRkRljLZI9GOCt_SfOE-aKfDqaa6sNnoe1zPi2eazIHuJKhzZ_z90w7aYV7FTwsdNc5XhthoQB5NTb4yE5kJH1eIEAK7IXEWreO2UWEHTEGzK3bM2541CpM/s1600/IMG_6063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyP-xHiUiAo2Yp6UGAYnARLRkRljLZI9GOCt_SfOE-aKfDqaa6sNnoe1zPi2eazIHuJKhzZ_z90w7aYV7FTwsdNc5XhthoQB5NTb4yE5kJH1eIEAK7IXEWreO2UWEHTEGzK3bM2541CpM/s320/IMG_6063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this tile frame with a photo I took of Lake Michigan. Small root wood bowl with rocks. And the inimitable "Magic Bowl" which a local artist painstakingly made and now serves as our cats' water dish because they refuse to drink out of anything else.
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If you receive/obtain/create beautiful things, it's very important to appreciate them, Blog. I make a point of walking around our home periodically, just looking at what we have. Beauty is one of the things that simply makes life worth living, wouldn't you say?<br />
<br />Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-91358059014621915052012-04-18T11:25:00.000-05:002012-04-19T06:10:05.995-05:00Aggie portraits revealed!So, Blog, <a href="http://www.dianalaurence.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-wanna-see-my-characters-so-bad.html">last time</a> you remember I shared about my long term yearning to acquire illustrated versions of the characters from my novel <i><a href="http://www.dianalaurence.com/A9H.html">Aggie's Nine Heroes</a></i>.<br />
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And you also know that I semi-miraculously stumbled upon the perfect artist for this task, one <a href="http://annarettberg.blogspot.com/">Anna Rettberg</a>.<br />
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Well, Anna outdid herself, and without further ado, here's the crew:<br />
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Can I get a crazed SQUEE? C'mon Blog, let it out--you need to with all this awesomeness!<br />
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Close inspection will reveal to you that there are little flecks on the image. That's because, although the final rendering is digital, Anna began by drawing each figure with pencil. I love that she left in the flecks for authenticity! She scanned the drawings and then worked in Photoshop to outline, color and shade them.<br />
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Okay, now let's let the readers take a closer look at each of the characters in this little slide show below. Who's the hottest guy? <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">(*<i>cough</i>* Jason *<i>cough</i>*)</span> </span>And who could possibly be more adorable than Aggie, huh? Don't you just dig Brandon's fabulous smile? And Glenda's terrific hair? Lucas's elfin good looks, Nita's curves, and the complete charm of Bernie?<br />
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Well, Anna outdid herself, and without further ado, here's the crew:<br />
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</div>
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Are they not, as I sometimes say, on beyond zebra? I can't get enough of looking at them. Okay, let's just take one more view, the way I'm going to do the 30" x 10" print that is going on the wall at Magic House:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnjQ9ajcqWMS8r7hGIyynOAR6fTMWBhX12RDOXG0jHRoYcB6tc5YXDmXca8xSB4A62KRVZoKJ7IU-MXgGmZSX0fkXLDMQHiXVUIBiXhP7SpXNpRVmDPaEhsAL9szqr-UzroycaMBW7rM/s1600/A9Hwide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnjQ9ajcqWMS8r7hGIyynOAR6fTMWBhX12RDOXG0jHRoYcB6tc5YXDmXca8xSB4A62KRVZoKJ7IU-MXgGmZSX0fkXLDMQHiXVUIBiXhP7SpXNpRVmDPaEhsAL9szqr-UzroycaMBW7rM/s400/A9Hwide.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Wow. Just wow.<br />
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Will I be sharing a photo of the art on the wall once I have it? Oh c'mon, Blog--what do you think?<br />
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All my thanks to Anna, and yes as I say this I am bowing down "I'm not worthy" style. She's the best.<br />
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UPDATE 4/19: Anna is now offering prints of the illustration in her online shop! If you'd like to order one, go <a href="http://society6.com/AnnaRettberg/Aggies-Nine-Heroes_Print">here</a>.<br />
<br />Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-14227081232546366062012-04-12T10:55:00.000-05:002012-04-12T11:01:06.207-05:00I wanna see my characters SO BAD!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptR-Bj4BIHH6g_vxx20TzPbeJQOWX4pIZbOniX_IHUNxYt1knTJt3poikDg_cuXmri91BQJUeX-2lITcTMOrsZ0oTug3QAZ3IhX_PKLyU0YUS6qENirszwKa_IGN79eOGfEuw8eDzXrg/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptR-Bj4BIHH6g_vxx20TzPbeJQOWX4pIZbOniX_IHUNxYt1knTJt3poikDg_cuXmri91BQJUeX-2lITcTMOrsZ0oTug3QAZ3IhX_PKLyU0YUS6qENirszwKa_IGN79eOGfEuw8eDzXrg/s200/3.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aggie, by me</td></tr>
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So, Blog, here's the deal: When you're a fiction author, and privileged with the power to create characters, sometimes you become pretty fond of them. Now imagine knowing and liking a bunch of friends that you will never see with your own eyes, not even in photos. I'm sure lots of writers deal with this okay, but me? Well, it makes me bonkers, and not in the good way.<br />
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Case in point is the title character in my latest novel, <i><a href="http://www.dianalaurence.com/A9H.html">Aggie's Nine Heroes</a>.</i> She's a bright, earnest, philanthropic young girl, as determined as she is cute. I wish I could see her. Not just Aggie, but her team of nine friends and family, everyone of them unique and special.<br />
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Complicating this is the fact that all my life I've wanted to be a cartoonist/ illustrator. Cartoon depictions of the A9H gang would be <i>perfect</i>, Blog, because Aggie, her grandpa Bernie, and her best guy friend Brandon are all comic book fans. I could almost <i>see</i> how they should all look...just enough to make me nuts, and far short of being able to capture on paper.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTW7scQobezm6uJJ7PczxwRU3anfRhjE_crYZT_xTKvETrS19tw4tmPvvdYqJXvcij4hr2LVJ4Kt7iERoysQZug62-4kJw-SBzD5QIYaVori6Xeczug1jv-bo27e8ag-XsxhJvl0npJQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTW7scQobezm6uJJ7PczxwRU3anfRhjE_crYZT_xTKvETrS19tw4tmPvvdYqJXvcij4hr2LVJ4Kt7iERoysQZug62-4kJw-SBzD5QIYaVori6Xeczug1jv-bo27e8ag-XsxhJvl0npJQ/s200/1.jpg" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">W-I-P cover, by me</td></tr>
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Which did not stop me from trying. I did the above cartoon of Aggie, festooned in her beloved hot pink hula hoop. Not bad for someone who sucks at illustration--but of course nothing like I wish I could do.<br />
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Early on in writing the book, I developed a work-in-progress cover which I cobbled together in Photoshop in a most complicated fashion. It did give me a sort of feel for Aggie, her teen-in-the-90s casualness, her air of independence and self-reliance. Another feeble stab...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9Mqmt2GAWk1f-GBsMjwHtgWgnQ-xWN39nwXipGaKXiv0ktq7Szmiw883WwOQHHCkz8CER3n3XJM7YIupVYwBs3m-rxeq50P2oMmZ3Tzu0Ct_wgigtvw0g_7uq-lyhFnEapQa7mjVSPE/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9Mqmt2GAWk1f-GBsMjwHtgWgnQ-xWN39nwXipGaKXiv0ktq7Szmiw883WwOQHHCkz8CER3n3XJM7YIupVYwBs3m-rxeq50P2oMmZ3Tzu0Ct_wgigtvw0g_7uq-lyhFnEapQa7mjVSPE/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aggie, by Katie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For a long time now, my cover designs have been done by my daughter, Katie Nelson, who clearly got her illustration genes from her father and is a professional graphic artist. Katie flattered me by basing her cover on my W-I-P one, and she did a fine job turning Aggie into a silhouette/cartoon hybrid.<br />
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Her execution of the silhouettes of the team of nine was also boffo. I don't know how she does this stuff. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsDujMD012IcUNLff9bNpaGb6Hc-pcI-lOgvKNkVSPjuhCKsQ7jCm0sQ6yGGtqrQQBI3E8GyRYqbAmIDUQPFMt_K5VU3E6lux0_R0YRUnPUTwpfX4qYsnv8_vlrYRAFmWIPM54Geaht8/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsDujMD012IcUNLff9bNpaGb6Hc-pcI-lOgvKNkVSPjuhCKsQ7jCm0sQ6yGGtqrQQBI3E8GyRYqbAmIDUQPFMt_K5VU3E6lux0_R0YRUnPUTwpfX4qYsnv8_vlrYRAFmWIPM54Geaht8/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nine Heroes, by Katie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So, that made for an awesome book cover, but I couldn't get over my crazy craving to somehow see my ten fictional buddies turned into cartoons. Thus it festered inside me for months, until one fateful day....<br />
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Via Facebook, I was introduced to <a href="http://annarettberg.blogspot.com/2012/01/tv.html">an illustration of a bunch of TV characters</a> hanging out together at a cocktail party. I took one look at the depictions of personal faves like Sheldon, Mr. Spock, Walter from Breaking Bad, House, and the rest...and I went completely bonkers, in the good way. When I checked out the blog of the artist, one <a href="http://annarettberg.blogspot.com/">Anna Rettberg</a>, I went bonkers in the good way all over again.<br />
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This was my illustrator.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDVJtlP_G0sMSEd05qDc2kBb_UROT0LG5DWSNZCX1FD76TvGe2eKAtUD1ssUKwC5lvBgJX8ctMbo0uInBc-k9RoGXnefhUfeBmq1DPOfd7gQCCdFUTnRh86njwJC2Rmb7_GSi0DN5Gno/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDVJtlP_G0sMSEd05qDc2kBb_UROT0LG5DWSNZCX1FD76TvGe2eKAtUD1ssUKwC5lvBgJX8ctMbo0uInBc-k9RoGXnefhUfeBmq1DPOfd7gQCCdFUTnRh86njwJC2Rmb7_GSi0DN5Gno/s400/6.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aggie, by Anna</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Seeing as Anna's TV illustration was in the process of going viral, I wasted no time emailing her at once. In spite of being on the verge of college graduation and suddenly in the limelight, she was happy to agree to a commission! It was really happening! My SQUEE must have thundered across the entire Midwest, Blog. I sent her Katie's art and my notes on the ten characters, and prepared to wait for the line art for my review.<br />
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It was only a few days later when the astonishingly speedy Anna emailed me a 4 MB file, which, when opened by my trembling hand on the mouse, revealed the line art of Aggie and her crew. My cat Cody was sitting in front of the monitor, and who knows what he thought when his mistress began to sob and laugh simultaneously.<br />
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They were perfect!<br />
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How can I possibly explain the experience of seeing on the screen these ten characters who before lived only shadily in my mind's eye...and yet now were so perfectly, spot-on recognizable? This was, without doubt, a Top Ten Moment in my life, Blog. Bonkers in the BEST way!<br />
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For now I will share here just the image of Aggie Borkowski, with her hula hoop. Sometime in the next couple of weeks I'll be clicking on another file in another email from Anna, and seeing the ten in full color.<br />
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Plan now on me not getting anything else done on that day, Blog. And plan now on seeing it yourselves, readers, as soon as it comes into my possession!Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-50200301384156736092012-04-04T12:56:00.001-05:002012-04-04T12:59:23.987-05:00The 40s rocked!Well, not literally, as rock 'n' roll wasn't quite a thing yet, but during March I became completely enamored of 40s music.<br />
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Speaking of March, we missed it, Blog! Mea culpa, 39 readers, for neglecting keeping you abreast. We were definitely thinking of you! While listening a lot to Sirius XM 40s on 4. I've always been a Big Band fan, but I discovered a source of all kinds of great music from the 40s, and now I'm obsessed.<br />
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So, mostly for my own pleasure but hopefully also for some of yours, I compiled my list of Top 25 Songs from the Big Band/Swing Era, in no particular order. And I picked five of them that would be the ones I'd take to the desert island, interspersed here for you to take a listen if you wish.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rjq1aTLjrOE" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Moonlight Serenade - Glenn Miller<br />
String of Pearls - Glenn Miller<br />
In the Mood - Glenn Miller<br />
Pennsylvania 6-5000 - Glenn Miller<br />
Stompin' at the Savoy - Benny Goodman<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bR3K5uB-wMA" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Jersey Bounce - Benny Goodman<br />
Down South Camp Meeting - Benny Goodman<br />
Sing Sing Sing - Benny Goodman<br />
Moonglow - Benny Goodman<br />
Opus One - Tommy Dorsey<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rV9LhjTr5Bc" width="560"></iframe>
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On the Sunny Side of the Street - Tommy Dorsey<br />
Tangerine - Jimmy Dorsey<br />
Stardust - Artie Shaw<br />
Begin the Beguine - Artie Shaw<br />
Take the A Train - Duke Ellington<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TrytKuC3Z_o" width="420"></iframe>
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Satin Doll - Duke Ellington<br />
Deep Purple - Kay Kyser<br />
Ain't Misbehavin' - Fats Waller<br />
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - Andrews Sisters<br />
Laura - Woody Herman<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XYG4kvaNAkA" width="420"></iframe>
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Tuxedo Junction - Erskine Hawkins<br />
720 in the Books - Jan Cavitt<br />
Brazil - Xavier Cugat<br />
Skyliner - Charlie Burnet<br />
You Made Me Love You - Harry James<br />
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They sure don't write 'em like they used to, Blog.<br />
<br />Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-53796685343192526562012-02-28T12:45:00.001-06:002012-02-28T12:45:31.036-06:00Faux metals with Swellegant are swell!Hy-dee-ho, Blog, I'm here to share a festival of stuff I made this past weekend using the most boffo new product line from polymer clay artist Christi Friesen. The line is called "<a href="http://store.cforiginals.net/swmecoco.html">Swellegant</a>," and consists of a bunch of faux metal paints, patina-izing concoctions, and dye inks. The best way to demonstrate what this stuff can do is to simply show you what I made! Let's proceed, Blog...<br />
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To begin, you just have to make and bake something out of polymer clay. For example, this cat sculpture. I'm not a very good sculptor so it took me a long time, but in the end I created this out of brown Fimo clay (sorry it's blurry--the cat apparently cast a spell on my camera).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IwXd6j3Dhv_GmLhHzAqrfw8S4T3Ctj0-1HOK2gj5BO7DDdWtc1nMObi5XALY6vAIdOqoJSgL7FZLYNeIX0ta2y5ubuEMWtcnXyWUUjPV7M8vpCV-3pSYjXhCPxYGL5pkS5hwRdKAAM8/s1600/catsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IwXd6j3Dhv_GmLhHzAqrfw8S4T3Ctj0-1HOK2gj5BO7DDdWtc1nMObi5XALY6vAIdOqoJSgL7FZLYNeIX0ta2y5ubuEMWtcnXyWUUjPV7M8vpCV-3pSYjXhCPxYGL5pkS5hwRdKAAM8/s320/catsm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once the piece cools, you paint it with one or more of the metal paints. I used a combination of iron for the head and upper body, and copper for the rest, sort of blended together in the middle.<br />
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I used one of the patina treatments (tiffany green/rust) then to make the iron portions look old and rusty, and the copper portions to turn green in random spots. Then on the iron part I also used coffee, black and white dye and a little bronze paint. The result? This:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UN7Cb02HEA3YUbJzmZ5s1I4BbXc3_pHIn_0qOGhVipFmBZHTgTf3U7zRSVA8vCrx2mv540GYNDiolatlZPsK_76w0IQ96RP1zWvi5CqFaaRXqaVMKn6PezpcXMD9eplzS6BIilZNz5Q/s1600/cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UN7Cb02HEA3YUbJzmZ5s1I4BbXc3_pHIn_0qOGhVipFmBZHTgTf3U7zRSVA8vCrx2mv540GYNDiolatlZPsK_76w0IQ96RP1zWvi5CqFaaRXqaVMKn6PezpcXMD9eplzS6BIilZNz5Q/s320/cat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Can you believe this piece is made of polymer clay, Blog? I barely can, and I made it!<br />
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I also made a fish pin, this time from silver clay. This will let you see the difference between silver clay and the silver Swellegant treatment. Before:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9q1ZgZvF6tzQASqBnQ2v7VwgbHEcSH1VfQ4hc_yoAxknYGmMD3o-HwcM2cspAfT597WDCO26SU30LGLB2gNG79Jx8d1ksBhMXD8xvjVHExBo3WH66tTYKKx8HZJCBvjcoHpVXHJkMw8/s1600/fishsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9q1ZgZvF6tzQASqBnQ2v7VwgbHEcSH1VfQ4hc_yoAxknYGmMD3o-HwcM2cspAfT597WDCO26SU30LGLB2gNG79Jx8d1ksBhMXD8xvjVHExBo3WH66tTYKKx8HZJCBvjcoHpVXHJkMw8/s320/fishsm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As you see, I embedded a stone in the clay. So, I applied silver Swellegant, followed by darkening patina and green dye. Result:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OjRZQKwnhKddF4Kjf1NtTfafPCQXlSG4p7PmJ5qPTh9y2VDIFymmTKrd4-udnaw5kNnJJVJAxsLdrxYzYL_-c0YMPh6b3fSlCjZKZpm7edDSgP9R4X3CzTkHwVD9TawmeWorvldKtWM/s1600/fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OjRZQKwnhKddF4Kjf1NtTfafPCQXlSG4p7PmJ5qPTh9y2VDIFymmTKrd4-udnaw5kNnJJVJAxsLdrxYzYL_-c0YMPh6b3fSlCjZKZpm7edDSgP9R4X3CzTkHwVD9TawmeWorvldKtWM/s320/fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also made a small wall clock for our powder room. I covered a piece of sheet metal with brown clay and textured it. You see it here with the rocks and the wristwatch face I planned to affix to the piece:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1JjcSfdzxac45g9XwCHDsiIJ0W5HbikYqG4h8ZP45yB4KD_jaBx-j-FKfs8szXhpbj27ucgiohfOZIiQKUlOKsO9PMAqyt3FQEKxHu69aflHf0TjKTLuL0o3ykli1jAtAAfH7Fr1Xzc/s1600/clocksm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1JjcSfdzxac45g9XwCHDsiIJ0W5HbikYqG4h8ZP45yB4KD_jaBx-j-FKfs8szXhpbj27ucgiohfOZIiQKUlOKsO9PMAqyt3FQEKxHu69aflHf0TjKTLuL0o3ykli1jAtAAfH7Fr1Xzc/s320/clocksm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I painted the base copper, then glued on the rocks. The clock is wired in so you can take it off to replace the battery. Yes, I'm that clever, Blog. Finally, I used the tiffany green/rust patina, and white, black, and kelly green dye. The after pic:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiVBxqk0jQsReqwR8bKaJJC6s1Ejasp1XXBnrHr07Uvawr-mAcOEPasDRKkGqjV7AN2mb2MWC-f8wBVGdpCqhzRqYw4U4pwr_GAwQ3uC3zKbG0p5Z3Bv78OGuG4JwUVqu4DuccDwSBi0/s1600/clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiVBxqk0jQsReqwR8bKaJJC6s1Ejasp1XXBnrHr07Uvawr-mAcOEPasDRKkGqjV7AN2mb2MWC-f8wBVGdpCqhzRqYw4U4pwr_GAwQ3uC3zKbG0p5Z3Bv78OGuG4JwUVqu4DuccDwSBi0/s320/clock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I kinda love it. I knew it wasn't folly to collect rocks all my life.<br />
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Lastly, another use for my rock collection. I used five polished stones mounted in a sort of organic pod design in brown clay, molding the chain right in:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxBxwIgM__NvwU5ry0SBDRXjW4ddEJ5iL0srIhbaZbOJjb2StDAgwudmTL-j3q8nsbxsk99-5uFgiWF3T_WX5j0BR4DLiFcLyo-hnaaH4p5tg5uNzCYhj0YY1WQwwzvE0Q9oQnv5TXnM/s1600/podnecklace2sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxBxwIgM__NvwU5ry0SBDRXjW4ddEJ5iL0srIhbaZbOJjb2StDAgwudmTL-j3q8nsbxsk99-5uFgiWF3T_WX5j0BR4DLiFcLyo-hnaaH4p5tg5uNzCYhj0YY1WQwwzvE0Q9oQnv5TXnM/s320/podnecklace2sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This piece was painted with brass Swellegant and then treated with the gold-green-verdigris patina. The brass really matches well with the chain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTDa06YNM7AKU_sMObBHQZF3cFKfA3ALDi0ZCVJGXC2LuG0q65hQ4GjsFHgTgMbwe_1Aq3Y6dENMnowhdTm3A2b-ubqjG5FLnyC_NGjeTqvX1DL3HaI37CygIiCwDV_rv-qW5y6r8qoc/s1600/podnecklace2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTDa06YNM7AKU_sMObBHQZF3cFKfA3ALDi0ZCVJGXC2LuG0q65hQ4GjsFHgTgMbwe_1Aq3Y6dENMnowhdTm3A2b-ubqjG5FLnyC_NGjeTqvX1DL3HaI37CygIiCwDV_rv-qW5y6r8qoc/s320/podnecklace2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The fifth metal paint is bronze, and I'm already super stoked to try it too, Blog. Kudos and thanks to the brilliant Christi Friesen for developing this product line! My only regret about polymer clay to date is that there was no really convincing way to use it for a metal look. Now it's pretty much the bee's knees in every possible way!Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-10635102134240480042012-02-13T13:49:00.000-06:002012-02-13T13:49:47.236-06:00Chef-ing it up in 2012!Blog, while I've stepped up my crafting and mixology games lately, it's been at the cost of neglecting my cooking. A true Renaissance woman cannot subsist on making crock pot pork loin and lemon pepper tilapia alone.<br />
<br />
So the new year brought with it a sudden burst of creativity of the culinary kind. In other words, I've been making up my own recipes! This has dovetailed nicely with certain changes in my diet (fewer carbs, more proteins and veggies, better grains) that have done wonders for my blood sugar levels, weight, and general well being. But let's not make it sound <i>too</i> healthful...the point is, EATING YUMMY STUFF!<br />
<br />
Let me share with you, Blog (and more importantly our readers who are <i>not</i> non-corporal beings and actually consume food) three of my original recipes from January and February 2012....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GnZq99PicEOGaT9K0J26qz38Nn3C7_jIDaiZkS1nNrl6p7iMn32xHp0CtsHdjxTCuSij8DkgkZyGeYm83izyctqd9tsDR-E3z508ZBkOqMCJjemhK8EPYgoih9lDvGskLahM9pTllbs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GnZq99PicEOGaT9K0J26qz38Nn3C7_jIDaiZkS1nNrl6p7iMn32xHp0CtsHdjxTCuSij8DkgkZyGeYm83izyctqd9tsDR-E3z508ZBkOqMCJjemhK8EPYgoih9lDvGskLahM9pTllbs/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Really Tasty and Not-Too-Bad-for-You Chicken Wings</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Recipe for 12-14 chicken wings/drummettes</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">3T olive oil</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 T prepared mustard</div><div class="MsoNormal">dash cayenne (more for hotter wings)</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 t garlic powder</div><div class="MsoNormal">½ t salt</div><div class="MsoNormal">½ t pepper</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 T lemon juice</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Combine all ingredients above, toss chicken to coat and marinade for at least 1 hour.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Prepare large pot with steamer basket or strainer and lid, with water level below bottom of basket or strainer. Bring to a boil. Shake excess marinade off wings but do not wipe them off; put in basket, put lid on pot and steam for 10 minutes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Blot wings dry with paper towels. Toss in</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 T peanut oil</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">until coated. Then add rub:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">2 T brown sugar</div><div class="MsoNormal">2 t salt</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 t pepper</div><div class="MsoNormal">2 t garlic powder</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 T onion powder</div><div class="MsoNormal">½ t thyme</div><div class="MsoNormal">½ t sage</div><div class="MsoNormal">2 t paprika</div><div class="MsoNormal">½ t cayenne (or more for hotter wings)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Evenly coat wings with rub, set on cooling rack over paper towels on a cookie sheet. Chill 1 hour.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place wings on cookie sheet, sprinkle over them any excess rub that fell off onto the paper towels. Bake 20 minutes, turn over, then bake an additional 20 minutes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>Comfort Food Turkey Barley Soup</b><br />
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1 cup pearled barley<br />
2 cans chicken broth<br />
1 t salt<br />
½ t pepper<br />
½ white onion, chopped<br />
2 cups mushrooms, chopped<br />
1 T butter<br />
1½ lbs ground turkey<br />
1 can cream of mushroom soup<br />
2 t dried thyme<br />
<br />
Wash and sort barley. Bring to boil in large pot 1 can of broth plus one can of water. Add barley, boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat, put lid on pot and let sit one hour. Add salt and pepper, simmer covered for 1½ hours or until barley is tender and water is absorbed (may need to add more water).<br />
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Saute onions and mushrooms in butter. Remove from pan. Saute ground turkey, breaking up into small chunks. Add turkey, sauteed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, and thyme to barley. Add water to make soup desired consistency. Stir and simmer 10 minutes, correcting seasoning as needed.<br />
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Best made a day ahead and reheated for dinner! Makes a TON (approximately six dinner sized servings).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQlMBJ9PXCt3A8KIbhaWtL4C7MnBc7l_7e1gXd7wvzviOWlnva6rprOlcac3EXf4TcftrDiWqgnlnLpIf6mFaplET_MCNp9eengV-kYmSs5beW5n5OFO1nhilKiw0TmCFPXeDNhqaULY/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQlMBJ9PXCt3A8KIbhaWtL4C7MnBc7l_7e1gXd7wvzviOWlnva6rprOlcac3EXf4TcftrDiWqgnlnLpIf6mFaplET_MCNp9eengV-kYmSs5beW5n5OFO1nhilKiw0TmCFPXeDNhqaULY/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Cream of Asparagus Soup</b><br />
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1 lb. fresh asparagus<br />
1/2 chopped onion<br />
1 1/2 T butter<br />
1 can chicken broth<br />
1 cup milk<br />
1 t lemon juice<br />
salt<br />
pepper<br />
1 t cornstarch<br />
<br />
Remove tips from asparagus and chop into 1/2” pieces, set aside. Chop remaining parts of asparagus also into 3/4” pieces. Bring chicken broth plus 3/4 cup of water to a boil in a large pot, add non-tip pieces, and simmer covered for 15-20 min. till tender.<br />
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Meanwhile, melt butter in a small sauté pan, add onions, and sauté until translucent. Add to pot with asparagus, mix, and let cool partially.<br />
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Meanwhile, in small saucepan add 3/4 cup of water and tips, simmer covered for 5 minutes.<br />
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Put asparagus/onion/broth mixture in blender and puree on high until uniform in color. Return to pot, stir in lemon juice, milk and asparagus tips. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix cornstarch with a little water, pour mix into soup, bring to a boil, and stir and simmer until slightly thickened.<br />
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Serves 2 generously.<br />
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I do believe, Blog, that I may have another cooking post or two in my apron pocket in the coming weeks/months. I know as a non-corporeal anthropomorphized being you aren't really a recipe clipper, but a blog can dream of culinary delights, can he/she/it not?Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-18895916599205425482012-01-09T12:36:00.000-06:002012-01-09T12:36:27.060-06:00I made a playhouse for my cats!As you probably know, Blog, I've always wanted to make a house for our cats to play in...and I did! It only took about five hours from start to finish, and used only materials that we already had on hand. It was fun on so many levels:<br />
<ul><li>it required ingenuity</li>
<li>it was a project I could work on <i>with</i> my pets! (sort of)</li>
<li>it cost nothing but my time</li>
<li>the results will provide years of fun for the whole family!</li>
</ul><br />
First, I searched the basement to find suitable materials. I scrounged up a "milk crate," three cardboard boxes, carpet squares, a seat cushion, and some quarter round wood trim. I sketched out a plan and gathered tools, then set to work cutting and taping.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTTpB5DfL8Gp13bi5a6r80o7mUACj4Y537BXC-pAF1dAj3N61jUyINq6zfvrosQBhJ0jFptUgkVAT76YfmRrGIoxqrMquyCbibxI7k9kFEbctQohmb85M_9N47Noh2Btmkwh4YI-3NW0/s1600/IMG_5780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTTpB5DfL8Gp13bi5a6r80o7mUACj4Y537BXC-pAF1dAj3N61jUyINq6zfvrosQBhJ0jFptUgkVAT76YfmRrGIoxqrMquyCbibxI7k9kFEbctQohmb85M_9N47Noh2Btmkwh4YI-3NW0/s320/IMG_5780.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The basement was a bit of a mess for awhile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I used my Dremel tool to cut the hole in the plastic crate and to cut the wood trim. Used it to sand, too...no rough edges for the kitties! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3BBXxXjSa7v4NfMuY7QHFZPnoaC84yM1cxKHJly4pY34G7bt0F8eP0bhopBw3QCjhqh4ZaZZIolruYyvCgYzF3Iep8vhgg5FkotvZJPn6Kvs0NyYcG-bdIxy5a_KFALGFhUvWwkXGmc/s1600/IMG_5781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3BBXxXjSa7v4NfMuY7QHFZPnoaC84yM1cxKHJly4pY34G7bt0F8eP0bhopBw3QCjhqh4ZaZZIolruYyvCgYzF3Iep8vhgg5FkotvZJPn6Kvs0NyYcG-bdIxy5a_KFALGFhUvWwkXGmc/s320/IMG_5781.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken upstairs, the playhouse is ready for less messy steps.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
In my design I kept in mind the amenities cats desire in their real estate: place to hide, to poke out of, to be high up, and to lounge comfortably.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRKDo8jl2ocknZysI2S-5ICvrRdlrrPJnkHGgA770Rbt96a8FF-4tLm6DNiQCB67Ceh9RpKgMStH8o-Rk5y42fO_EUm_Af4XkHtHPqs5m4PbEKkFi-3PfcxzX4TJeICOGhkQtQmOE7D0/s1600/IMG_5786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRKDo8jl2ocknZysI2S-5ICvrRdlrrPJnkHGgA770Rbt96a8FF-4tLm6DNiQCB67Ceh9RpKgMStH8o-Rk5y42fO_EUm_Af4XkHtHPqs5m4PbEKkFi-3PfcxzX4TJeICOGhkQtQmOE7D0/s320/IMG_5786.jpg" width="269" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a little window to peek out of, as Cody discovered.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The cushion is tied onto the crate with its own ties. The crate is wired on through four holes I poked through the carpet and cardboard.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QzKmmDbRsunViCkAdQz1GsPvkKdq5YRztNsMk9SfwGIQ_iibTGzMrspNpRXbb6jzXPVqrnkSU43ES0c_x6FYMhOPJ5XnEHmOLD2CK3JaggdqYJRe2d7NwKjouBZeYjLsSnJQD5RiUQY/s1600/IMG_5787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QzKmmDbRsunViCkAdQz1GsPvkKdq5YRztNsMk9SfwGIQ_iibTGzMrspNpRXbb6jzXPVqrnkSU43ES0c_x6FYMhOPJ5XnEHmOLD2CK3JaggdqYJRe2d7NwKjouBZeYjLsSnJQD5RiUQY/s320/IMG_5787.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's comfy already!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I added a flap in front for paws to poke in and out after prey. I hung a jingle ball with twine outside the window. And lastly, I covered the outside with vinyl contact paper. Stylin'!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdRSggt5sK27_qoh1E9G0wBa9XNxiDdOmfALMW_yEDWs1A2DfCfi8vanbeybmSLqvOdphnH4gNnGI6q0k9EzVqF_tAQxma9_JRuEvkpgrqTuo765NSFZGwxjqQI4GF9FbqGFItcb8Ayc/s1600/IMG_5789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdRSggt5sK27_qoh1E9G0wBa9XNxiDdOmfALMW_yEDWs1A2DfCfi8vanbeybmSLqvOdphnH4gNnGI6q0k9EzVqF_tAQxma9_JRuEvkpgrqTuo765NSFZGwxjqQI4GF9FbqGFItcb8Ayc/s320/IMG_5789.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It's ready to move to it's final location, if I can just get the cats away from it long enough.... Play nice with Selke, Codes! There's room for all!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BCpAg0b6goCjmvYPo1MQeSr4_pm2B2_bBOBW3xPiuFd6zFkPW4LoFKCQhyphenhyphenX0WArRA2qbqSEQKhjG4zgUrm_Z0gNzdHWhs2Y7Ya5Kc5vV8k4IBkXOQ1EQYSzxybCsFPYfo06CTZdCE1Y/s1600/IMG_5792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BCpAg0b6goCjmvYPo1MQeSr4_pm2B2_bBOBW3xPiuFd6zFkPW4LoFKCQhyphenhyphenX0WArRA2qbqSEQKhjG4zgUrm_Z0gNzdHWhs2Y7Ya5Kc5vV8k4IBkXOQ1EQYSzxybCsFPYfo06CTZdCE1Y/s320/IMG_5792.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This pose suggests a declaration of ownership....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-pgns8Ld01oCgJfRnG3V_XXvzNhCv-ITGA8KT3G60ZbnPcMmb5A5ov2gvRZ6hqKHkFmfoYEVbwUwSKQw8s2HjpZN2trIfwDVzGw7aqOdTWlK3WRVUdgzKH0ZpfTr49FmgxegvDOrv_k/s1600/IMG_5795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-pgns8Ld01oCgJfRnG3V_XXvzNhCv-ITGA8KT3G60ZbnPcMmb5A5ov2gvRZ6hqKHkFmfoYEVbwUwSKQw8s2HjpZN2trIfwDVzGw7aqOdTWlK3WRVUdgzKH0ZpfTr49FmgxegvDOrv_k/s320/IMG_5795.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Fortunately, Selke can hide out of reach! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIFnDQ8bK5PC-8ksuUWNFhEC0Q8mBdGgK3Rvd2mIflRllUCGxjRIhCCcuQTL32EgYxXgRHPz27iVGR51srh0SEaX4PPTgEcVjizJJuVRHc8jfeWF31Tvuf4H4E3ZAT5hIH5h8vBCrPcI/s1600/IMG_5796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIFnDQ8bK5PC-8ksuUWNFhEC0Q8mBdGgK3Rvd2mIflRllUCGxjRIhCCcuQTL32EgYxXgRHPz27iVGR51srh0SEaX4PPTgEcVjizJJuVRHc8jfeWF31Tvuf4H4E3ZAT5hIH5h8vBCrPcI/s320/IMG_5796.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Now the playhouse is in its planned location, behind the couch. And here you see Cody caught in mid leap! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKpxIL97gFm8rFEc-nKngwwQQeZ9r1KIAUJThYo3b4XqhcjY8BP3PXwDYdoxzbe6pbmX9xmS5QX56yZfvy4Lx3HtSck-dgZquPGaPUcW-ZvmWvPy4T5Su3SqrGK-gmWwFpuI-OjJZvBI/s1600/IMG_5798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKpxIL97gFm8rFEc-nKngwwQQeZ9r1KIAUJThYo3b4XqhcjY8BP3PXwDYdoxzbe6pbmX9xmS5QX56yZfvy4Lx3HtSck-dgZquPGaPUcW-ZvmWvPy4T5Su3SqrGK-gmWwFpuI-OjJZvBI/s320/IMG_5798.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
He's not too big for the "cage." <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbGY0Zr4ypqAqChY1ykwMHVHWAQd_IyrImRAk8M3z25SoGnbw7TbxTp2FrfKT_tBMDQIGF4gXBZJ4TOcACK8vQeZDPTWUviAo9KOJMfAzNgWUwhUUc8jdjd2G4J7gWrAx8u4EaInjUj8/s1600/IMG_5799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbGY0Zr4ypqAqChY1ykwMHVHWAQd_IyrImRAk8M3z25SoGnbw7TbxTp2FrfKT_tBMDQIGF4gXBZJ4TOcACK8vQeZDPTWUviAo9KOJMfAzNgWUwhUUc8jdjd2G4J7gWrAx8u4EaInjUj8/s320/IMG_5799.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And it's easy to socialize or watch TV! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvB5X-FGkUzvPz46W_Upza_Z9AY2b8OrECol6JVIwtPixpofPhLeHwsbCYAT6DD2sp3dWINTszw3X8jOxOwPM2PpAjBiAdC4txwLxbhdYBMdu10Iq6jppkA9zs6J54aPQk1kXlFjRVXkI/s1600/IMG_5800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvB5X-FGkUzvPz46W_Upza_Z9AY2b8OrECol6JVIwtPixpofPhLeHwsbCYAT6DD2sp3dWINTszw3X8jOxOwPM2PpAjBiAdC4txwLxbhdYBMdu10Iq6jppkA9zs6J54aPQk1kXlFjRVXkI/s320/IMG_5800.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ooh, I'm cheering for the Lions! Meow!"</td></tr>
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Alice finally woke up to see what happened during her six-hour nap.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkOKUcqN9E-60-EvjOc29Wz3rZfXUsgA5YTEoMTvA_Mh6HyIBURRZ-98pBGnc2spKE0Cqn6phaQ0qv8M-H8c2s6EDw7x2rKBvM3AWZeDB8CiPfjk2r7TJAulZzvgKwVnw1S6LSUyqIOI/s1600/IMG_5807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkOKUcqN9E-60-EvjOc29Wz3rZfXUsgA5YTEoMTvA_Mh6HyIBURRZ-98pBGnc2spKE0Cqn6phaQ0qv8M-H8c2s6EDw7x2rKBvM3AWZeDB8CiPfjk2r7TJAulZzvgKwVnw1S6LSUyqIOI/s320/IMG_5807.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Holy moley, there's a new playhouse!"</td></tr>
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She likes it too!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NQeVHrjoglUEbiBcBu3QYpZaH4npEhQZMJ86DLSTXx-vnNacMwA9Osf8biWS0_JupW6FREZOMJd8HnqRjblaR0im-fhXIdbpp4plrKRGuEfZrMhLqFpw3ZLG2NXvSRQmfrGvJ2uV4iM/s1600/IMG_5808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NQeVHrjoglUEbiBcBu3QYpZaH4npEhQZMJ86DLSTXx-vnNacMwA9Osf8biWS0_JupW6FREZOMJd8HnqRjblaR0im-fhXIdbpp4plrKRGuEfZrMhLqFpw3ZLG2NXvSRQmfrGvJ2uV4iM/s320/IMG_5808.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><br />
<div>So there you go, Blog...another project to check off my Bucket List. And bonus that it turned out so well! I'd advise our cat-loving readers to try this themselves, I had a blast. And I guess if you have any teeny-tiny carpet squares in your basement, you could do this for your hamster, too!</div>Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-37186167844719467412012-01-03T13:10:00.008-06:002012-02-08T12:08:38.862-06:00Polymer clay and resin, yay!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kpoENJWEYpA/TwNOGIHuqzI/AAAAAAAAB-E/wowgS-Ld8FA/s1600/1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kpoENJWEYpA/TwNOGIHuqzI/AAAAAAAAB-E/wowgS-Ld8FA/s320/1a.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>It's 2012, Blog, and that means another year of cool new crafting techniques to try! For Christmas I asked for the accoutrements I needed to explore using resin, and I wasted no time in trying out this nifty medium. Here you see my latest creation: a Steampunk Charm Necklace using beads I made with polymer clay and resin.<br />
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I used Lisa Pavelka's product Magic-Glos, and boy howdy is it great stuff! All you need to cure it is either sunlight or a UV lamp, and this being Wisconsin in winter, I opted to ask for Lisa's brand of lamp, designed especially for use with these sorts of projects. Those two items were all I needed to get started in resin crafting.<br />
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So, here's how I made the charms in my necklace:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7EKJw-hqPkQ/TwNQ0-KdYkI/AAAAAAAAB-o/16zI0SSqkJs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7EKJw-hqPkQ/TwNQ0-KdYkI/AAAAAAAAB-o/16zI0SSqkJs/s320/3.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>There are both silver ones and copper ones, using Premo metallic color polyclay. There are also faux wood ones, also made of clay (I love making faux wood.) I cut out the squares with a beveled clay cutter, then topped them with all kinds of embellishments.<br />
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Going for the steampunk theme, I used various clockworks: springs, gears and tiny screws. I used a scrap of sheer Victorian fabric on one. I raided my bead collection for the metal scrollwork, key charm, and various beads, and my misc. junk files for gemstones and a scrap of tarnished copper. I baked the squares in the oven per usual.<br />
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Once they were cool, it was resin-ing time, Blog. All you do is put some drops of resin on top of a square, spread with a toothpick to the edges, and let the product self-level. It forms a perfectly clear and smooth dome all by itself! 5 minutes under the UV lamp is all it took to cure, and I ended up putting three coats on to give a nice, high dome.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I drilled holes and superglued in eyepins, then chained the charms together. I'd estimate the whole project took about seven hours.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMBABUFOyUOVhwQfLekW8zpDe3Zv81QM3OvBY18P7dPZj0dKsR-xX0UcEL-brqAeWiycIQJ9v0DfO5AWulDV6K-NZwjKieuv_i7w2KaaL6eGA2ixAWmq10vDgKSyLf3tH0o4-oOZFLa0/s1600/smspcharmsnecklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMBABUFOyUOVhwQfLekW8zpDe3Zv81QM3OvBY18P7dPZj0dKsR-xX0UcEL-brqAeWiycIQJ9v0DfO5AWulDV6K-NZwjKieuv_i7w2KaaL6eGA2ixAWmq10vDgKSyLf3tH0o4-oOZFLa0/s320/smspcharmsnecklace.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Christopher Robleski</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I was just thrilled with the result. You're still my best friend, Blog, but I think Uvie here may be a close runner-up. You rock, Uvie!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8beuyCby_pk/TwNRDo1-WYI/AAAAAAAAB-0/-9GjfbD0OSY/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8beuyCby_pk/TwNRDo1-WYI/AAAAAAAAB-0/-9GjfbD0OSY/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The mind boggles at the awesome things I'm going to be able to do with resin. Who knows exactly what...but fish and sparkly stuff will no doubt be involved at some point.<br />
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Uvie and my Magic-Glos were purchased via Amazon, but you can get them many places. For more info, best place to go is the website of the awesome Lisa herself, <a href="http://www.lisapavelka.com/">www.lisapavelka.com</a>. You've got no "resin" not to! Bwahaha, oh blorg, Blog....Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272166947594687842.post-20335130488934152872011-12-26T20:52:00.000-06:002011-12-26T20:52:25.840-06:00This year's homemade gifts featuring Business Cat!Yes, Blog, I am now at liberty to reveal this year's homemade Christmas gifts! Whereas last year I had not <a href="http://dianalaurence.blogspot.com/2010/12/homemade-gifts-reveal-part-1.html">one</a>, not <a href="http://dianalaurence.blogspot.com/2010/12/homemade-gifts-reveal-part-2-graphics.html">two</a>, but <a href="http://dianalaurence.blogspot.com/2010/12/homemade-gifts-reveal-part-3-polymer.html">three</a> posts on gifts, I apologize for not quite so much volume. But hopefully they will still amuse.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oKDs1JU1IWU/Tvked18QgRI/AAAAAAAAB7c/4Ajau_kx1rk/s1600/IMG_5597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oKDs1JU1IWU/Tvked18QgRI/AAAAAAAAB7c/4Ajau_kx1rk/s320/IMG_5597.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I worked in a couple of new media this year, the first being metal sculpture: this Camera Eye Robot that I made for daughter Katie. It all started with one of those, spot-in-a-shop, declare-"I-can-make-that" situations, Blog. I tracked down the tiny old Japanese camera on eBay, and built the robot from various random parts and scraps I'd amassed. He's a goofy little character with a hook for a hand and buttons from an old calculator, but I think he's pretty lovable. And for sure that itty bitty camera is awesome--it actually works, I guess, and is only 1 1/2" high.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UKWYJoIGsg0/Tvkw-OLPRmI/AAAAAAAAB94/DPWnlgc36YQ/s1600/IMG_5607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UKWYJoIGsg0/Tvkw-OLPRmI/AAAAAAAAB94/DPWnlgc36YQ/s320/IMG_5607.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>Also new to me, and I think it shows, is the key holder I made for Katie's boyfriend Chris out of wood. These two are fans of retro design as it is especially expressed on Route 66 (see their website and Chris's new book at <a href="http://www.fadingnostalgia.com/">www.fadingnostalgia.com</a>). So I was going for "Googie" style--e.g., the famous Las Vegas sign--with this key holder. I bought a prefabricated plaque, then cut the parabolas and wedgie things out of balsa wood and glued them on. I stained the wood with watered-down acrylic paint and added edges and starbursts with Sharpie pen. I varnished it all and added screw in hooks. Not bad for a beginner I guess--and it would seem the height of modern to Fred Flintstone.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0BGUenTIocg/Tvkjo3lQmPI/AAAAAAAAB70/xP8cOrCV6ho/s1600/IMG_5671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0BGUenTIocg/Tvkjo3lQmPI/AAAAAAAAB70/xP8cOrCV6ho/s320/IMG_5671.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>Time to move into a medium in which I'm more proficient: polymer clay. I also made Katie a Googie-style piece, a switchplate cover. I used a classic 50s palette, and this time threw in that old favorite, the kidney shape. It was fun trying to use a retro font for the lettering--sort of like on a neon sign--and I think it came out fairly well.<br />
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Clay-wise, I made a couple of other gifts this year that were really copied directly from other people's work, so I'm not going to show them off, even though they did turn out nicely. And I gave my hopefully-future-step-granddaughter all the stuff she needs to take up claying, so that will be very cool!<br />
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On to the needlecrafts....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7Q3LM8sBxk/TvklZ6Z6jqI/AAAAAAAAB8A/qHLseaDyCHc/s1600/IMG_5602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7Q3LM8sBxk/TvklZ6Z6jqI/AAAAAAAAB8A/qHLseaDyCHc/s320/IMG_5602.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Last year I made myself <a href="http://dianalaurence.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-clothes-for-icu.html">a felt camera case</a>, and I'm flattered to say that <a href="http://www.chrisrobleski.com/">pro photographer Chris</a> kinda coveted one for his little "casual" camera ever since. So I got the measurements and made him one to fit, and here it is, Blog.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the final, Really, Really Big Project required not only sewing, but a heck of a lot of Googling, brainstorming with myself, graphic work on the PC, and tedious cutting. In the end it was all worth it to give my husband Davie the gift of his dreams: his own three-dimensional Business Cat.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7PnA8hFJu68/Tvko9p2t4aI/AAAAAAAAB9U/zoGUHwygIss/s1600/IMG_5593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7PnA8hFJu68/Tvko9p2t4aI/AAAAAAAAB9U/zoGUHwygIss/s400/IMG_5593.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Davie has been obsessed with this internet meme for a couple years now, to the point where--and I kid you not--he has been known to suddenly whisper "Business Cat" out loud for no apparent reason. So I simply <i style="text-align: left;">had</i> to find a way to make him one.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was not about to try to make my own pattern for a stuffed cat that would look like the classic expressionless, round-eyed, all-black critter that is B.C. So I combed the internet and looked at every single black-furred feline available for purchase in the known world. The closest thing to the right look, sadly, was a tuxedo cat. So I actually had to dye his white parts black with copious amounts of fabric dye.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cemhzWACs6E/TvkvYoCF7JI/AAAAAAAAB9s/RC-IHINoBvU/s1600/business-cat-meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cemhzWACs6E/TvkvYoCF7JI/AAAAAAAAB9s/RC-IHINoBvU/s320/business-cat-meme.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">It wasn't too hard to design and make a white collar of cotton fabric. Even the tie wasn't difficult, although I put the plaid on the yellow fabric with felt-tip pens. No, the killer here was how to display the thing, in order to incorporate the hilarious captions that are Business Cat's claim to fame. Like these to the right:</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">You don't even want to know the ideas I came up with and rejected before the ultimate solution came to me. Business Cat is displayed in an acrylic box made to house a mini replica football helmet, but tipped up on one end. The box "bottom" perfectly holds the caption sheets...25 of which I made to include in the B.C. set. Yes, I made 25 designs (did you know the classic font is Impact, which comes installed with Windows?), printed and trimmed them, and cut out all the openings with an Exacto knife while chatting with my visiting mother-in-law. Thanks heavens she was there to keep me sane.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Add printed backdrop and tie on nifty original tag, and MEOW, I mean VOILA: Davie has a pet Business Cat! Sing it to the tune of "I Want a Hippopotamus," people:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I want a 3D Business Cat for Christmas,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Only a 3D Business Cat will do!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Don't want a Honey Badger, or critter by Chuck Testa,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I only want a Business Cat 'cuz that meme is the besta,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And 3D Business Cat, he likes me too!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, from the land of Christmas Crafting, Blog and I say "Merry Christmas to all and to all a Super Fantasgreat New Year!"</div>Diana Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282682103659805945noreply@blogger.com3