I just discovered that we have very weak wifi off the back of the house (bless you anonymous neighbor), so I'm taking the chance to say howdy!! No great photos today, but there are trees and bushes and things that I can shoot on our walks. Now that I know, pictures will be in the future.
Arrived here uncerimoniously late Saturday. Spent a good part of Sunday packing up trash (expired meds and other such things). Filled the huge garbage can (60# can) then found out that trash day isn't unit Friday. Hopefully some of our neighbors have empty space in theirs.. because we're cranking out 1-2 large kitchen trash bags a day.
It was sprinkling when we got here, and has been cloudy, damp and cool since. But still muggy. The humidity is up around 80-90%, though the temps are in the 60s. It's supposed to be sunny and warm (80s) by Friday. I know I won't melt, but I will stick!
One day soon I will be out weeding the beds. A day of fresh air and stretching and moving. Joy!! We have the realtor's open house two weeks from today, so we've got lots of straightening to do. We've taken walks each day.. my Omron pedometer shows I'm still averaging about 12000 steps a day.
We've spent a lot of time emptying drawers and closets and figuring out what needs to go and what can be saved. We might (small might) be moving the MIL into a different facility. There are factors which complicate things, but today we'll be checking out a few places to see if they qualify. I'm cautiously hopeful.
The wifi has disappeared twice while I've been writing this, so I think I shall try to publish and not push my chances.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Please don't leave me!!
A gorgeous sunset in the fog from Wednesday night this week.I am not going to be daily blogging for the next 3 weeks. Occasionally I will be able to get online, how much or how long I don't know. Hopefully enough to check my emails and upload a blogpost or two.
My excellent friend Janice (who is not a morning person) volunteered to drive us to airport this morning. Biker Deb will pick the excellent tomatoes in my garden (want to bet most of them ripen while I'm gone?). Since we get back on a weekday morning, we'll wander home by way of the regional shuttles. My most excellent neighbors will keep the house safe. (Have I sucked up to these folks enough? I think not.)
The Quad cities are not anywhere near the cutting edge of technology. High speed connections are basically limited to businesses and the wifi spots aren't very many. but I see that the main library has free wifi. I hope a couple mornings a week to check email and "catch up" a bit somewhere. Maybe I'll surprise myself and rediscover my native wit.
We will return the end of September, at which time I promise to return to regular blogging again.
Deb's Daily Distractions has absolutely nothing new on it for the month. Say "La Vee"...
Friday, September 08, 2006
Save Your Sheckels...
Yeah, I'm getting ready to leave tomorrow and who knows when I'll be able to blog after that over the next few weeks, though I'm planning on a final post tomorrow.
To whet your appetite for my return, I thought I'd preview some of the hand-dyed tshirts I'll have for sale when I return.
These five are being fabulously modelled by Pickle friends to demonstrate how friendly these are to real world women's bodies. Note: Do you know how hard it is to clip off faces when there are such different heights and builds? But those chins are all beautiful. And I think it was the only way I was gonna get models...
Left to right: S in a Medium; K in a Medium; R in a Medium; J in a Medium; L in an XL.
Hey, why are most of them wearing mediums? I didn't plan this well!!
I wear an 11-12 and I can fit in both the medium (tight) and the XL (just little loose.. but still complementary). But I have that excess boobage problem.
I'll put up photos of all the shirts, but each will be $15.
These are Dharma's Feminine fit tshirts which they describe as:
- 100% 5.5 oz. super soft combed Ringspun Cotton
- It's unbelievable soft & smooth on the skin! People will want to touch you!
- It's designed for women
- Tapered waist, lower neckline, double stitched
- Form fitting, so buy a size larger if you like it loose!
I'd like to tell you as an aside, the painted t-shirts you sold? are fabuloso. I have just realized that most artists start with men's t-shirts. Maybe because they're cheaper? Easier to order? But you used a women's T - there's a big, big difference in comfort and fit. I love this shirt!
Blogfolk, if Deb ever sells her T's here, grab one.
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Thursday, September 07, 2006
One Reality Show Bite
One Reality show take for the week. Project Runway and Rockstar Supernova together on the same page.
First: Rockstar. This week, I loved, loved, loved the performances from Magni and Josh. Storm rocked it. Dilana...I was not fully inspired on Tuesday.. she redeemed herself a bit on Wednesday. Lucas? Just. Must. Go. Should have gone instead of Storm. Hopefully she gets a solo recording gig... I'd listen to music.
OK, it's obvious that the show producers are trying to manipulate the audience to make Dilana look less like a dead lock for winner of this. Question is: has the band decided that they don't to front a chick rocker? I expect the final three to be Dilana, Josh and Magni. I've always thought the winner would be Dilana.. now it looks like a push between her and Magni. We shall see.
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Project Runway
I HATED Jeffrey's dress, although he won. I admired his working with the plaids. It was gutsy and brilliant. I liked the fabrics. I liked the skirt open and free. I wasn't overly fond of the bodice.. square with those odd blibs covering the breasts. What I really hated were the bows and ties and folds around the waist. Didn't this make the model look wider? And a bit sloppy?
Thank goodness that Vince is auf'd. This guy was not going to win.. and this dress? Pure mistake. He uses an upholstery brocade for the skirt.. that doesn't flow and gives no illusion that it would be pleasant to dance in a fancy affair. And the top. There are no words. After weeks of learning what gets Vince off.. it's just good to know he's auf.
The others:
Laura. She is only 3 months pregnant?? With that belly?? With that belly she just found out she's pregnant? Am the only one wondering what the real story here?? And why she felt the need to walk around with her bare belly sticking out in the Paris workroom? Ok.. enough about the person. Her dress was old, predictable and uninspired. Didn't I see this same look on Ivana Trump about a decade ago? And maybe if she's always cold at affairs, she might try designing a dress with a neckline that doesn't go down to the waistline?? I am completely over Laura.
Kayne. I liked his dress. I thought it was going to be too "pageant-ey" but it looked quite nice. I could even imagine an actress like Eve Langoria wearing it. First, however, we'd take those dark ribbons off the front and fix the showing boning.
Kayne and Laura will be the next ones off, I fear.
Michael. I was amazed how much better his dress looked when they folded those two extra blobs of fabric down under from his dress. While choosing a real color and doing all that hand sewing was a major risk, his design was a mis-step. What it is with all these ties and rouching over waists and bellies making the models seem almost thick waisted? Imagine what those dresses would look like on a real body (like mine? Not a pretty picture).
Who's left?
Uli. Ok, if I complain that all of Laura's designs look the same, I must make a similar complaint about Uli. But I like Uli's style better. And this dress would have been my choice as the winner. I can only assume that there wasn't enough risk. Or enough of the hand work to make it couture.
My take for the final three is still Michael, Uli and someone who will not win. Now it's looking more like Jeffry than Laura. Michael will still win the whole thing.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
First: Rockstar. This week, I loved, loved, loved the performances from Magni and Josh. Storm rocked it. Dilana...I was not fully inspired on Tuesday.. she redeemed herself a bit on Wednesday. Lucas? Just. Must. Go. Should have gone instead of Storm. Hopefully she gets a solo recording gig... I'd listen to music.
OK, it's obvious that the show producers are trying to manipulate the audience to make Dilana look less like a dead lock for winner of this. Question is: has the band decided that they don't to front a chick rocker? I expect the final three to be Dilana, Josh and Magni. I've always thought the winner would be Dilana.. now it looks like a push between her and Magni. We shall see.
=========================
Project Runway
I HATED Jeffrey's dress, although he won. I admired his working with the plaids. It was gutsy and brilliant. I liked the fabrics. I liked the skirt open and free. I wasn't overly fond of the bodice.. square with those odd blibs covering the breasts. What I really hated were the bows and ties and folds around the waist. Didn't this make the model look wider? And a bit sloppy?
Thank goodness that Vince is auf'd. This guy was not going to win.. and this dress? Pure mistake. He uses an upholstery brocade for the skirt.. that doesn't flow and gives no illusion that it would be pleasant to dance in a fancy affair. And the top. There are no words. After weeks of learning what gets Vince off.. it's just good to know he's auf.
The others:
Laura. She is only 3 months pregnant?? With that belly?? With that belly she just found out she's pregnant? Am the only one wondering what the real story here?? And why she felt the need to walk around with her bare belly sticking out in the Paris workroom? Ok.. enough about the person. Her dress was old, predictable and uninspired. Didn't I see this same look on Ivana Trump about a decade ago? And maybe if she's always cold at affairs, she might try designing a dress with a neckline that doesn't go down to the waistline?? I am completely over Laura.
Kayne. I liked his dress. I thought it was going to be too "pageant-ey" but it looked quite nice. I could even imagine an actress like Eve Langoria wearing it. First, however, we'd take those dark ribbons off the front and fix the showing boning.
Kayne and Laura will be the next ones off, I fear.
Michael. I was amazed how much better his dress looked when they folded those two extra blobs of fabric down under from his dress. While choosing a real color and doing all that hand sewing was a major risk, his design was a mis-step. What it is with all these ties and rouching over waists and bellies making the models seem almost thick waisted? Imagine what those dresses would look like on a real body (like mine? Not a pretty picture).
Who's left?
Uli. Ok, if I complain that all of Laura's designs look the same, I must make a similar complaint about Uli. But I like Uli's style better. And this dress would have been my choice as the winner. I can only assume that there wasn't enough risk. Or enough of the hand work to make it couture.
My take for the final three is still Michael, Uli and someone who will not win. Now it's looking more like Jeffry than Laura. Michael will still win the whole thing.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
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Wednesday, September 06, 2006
A Call for Entries
The International Museum of Women has published their guidelines for their online exhibits. I was really excited about promoting this; but I just read their discussion and it seems they want to limit their work to young women: those in their 20s and 30s... Oh well. If anyone fits the bill, feel free to check the submission guidelines.
On the personal front..
Katy's bloodwork is back, and her thyroid meds need to be upped a little again. Dogs use incredible amounts of thyroid compared to humans. She gets the highest pill made for humans (300 mcgs.) Most humans take one pill a day. Katy has been taking 4.5.. now she's up to 5. The refill will be here when we get home from Illinois. the photo is Katy swimming last year.
I'm cleaning up my studio (the monthly attempt). I hope when we get home I'll be all set to work some more on the pyramids I started last week. While we're gone, I'm taking a piece that needs lots of hand stitching on it. Can't wait to finish it up.
I really seem to concentrating on getting the house in order before our trip and getting ready to leave. Does anyone else find it necessary to have a clean house when they are leaving it? It's really like the "underwear" thing with me; I'd hate for us to die in a plane crash and my friends to have to clean out our house and see that I'm slob!!
We take off Saturday morning.. and will be back in three weeks. I'm going to try and post stuff while I'm gone with photos even!! And, to keep this all really positive.. I'm thinking what 3 weeks of really low consumption is going to do to my gas/electric bill.
(smile)
It's working already.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
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Tuesday, September 05, 2006
How NOT to Practice World Diplomacy
It was not quite a normal morning to begin with.I had gone to sleep just a little hungry (Oprah says it's not hunger, it's normal. And a good thing. [oh, wait.. that's Martha!]. I'm not convinced.)
And I got up an hour early because Kate needed to be fed at 6 am. (blood work 5 hours later to test normal level of meds).
So maybe today wasn't the best day to have a piece of chocolate cake for breakfast.
It tasted good.. and with a hot cuppa coffee was an enjoyable break of my fast.
But about an hour later, I was reading blogs and sending messages to folks.. and generally (in retrospect) trying to instigate a bunch a disagreements. NOT picking fights myself.. but just poking and prodding and trying to get others to do the dirty work so I could sit back and watch.
I mean, I called a man I've never met a troglodyte!! But not to his face... to someone else.
Now I've also moved all the tv stuff into the new cabinet, gotten all the wires reconfigured the right way (I hope). I even moved the big tv downstairs from the den upstairs.
Apparently, then, chocolate cake isn't the way to practice world diplomacy... but the buzz is good for other tasks.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
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Monday, September 04, 2006
I took the weekend off...
Like this photo? Her "tail-thingy" was the detail that I showed last week. This sculpture was in the gardens of the hotel where BlogHer was held in July.Well, I didn't completely take the weekend off, just not much quilty-arty inspired. Friday I went to the Sewing, Embroidery, Quilting expo thingy over in San Rafael... and met our ring-leader, Diane!! She's friendly and nice and really tall!! That last part surprised me for some reason. Alas, no photos. But we chatted a lot about ToonTown. Curse her! That game is fun and friendly.
We've been painting this weekend and putting together the IKEA furniture. A photo will come after everything is cleaned up and put back into the room. The color is just slightly darker than the off-white that's been there; not as dark as I'd wanted, but atleast better than Najavo white everywhere. The IKEA furniture is going together fairly quickly, too.
Now to shop some for a couple pieces of new furniture (tables and small couch. I hate shopping for tables.. everything they make now is so boring.)
I did spend some play time painting up some fat quarters... but they are for a Pickle birthday (we will have 3 in 7 months this year!!). So no photos until November. She wants "frosty fairy" kind of fabrics.. I think they have already collected all the real "frosty fairy" fabrics.. except for maybe one or two.. so I've been "frosting" others. Some hand dyed and some commercial pieces. Grand fun! I may have to write up a "how-to" on this someday.
So did you labor or go labor-free for your holiday?
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
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Friday, September 01, 2006
Playing With Pyramids...
I've been playing with these pyramid shapes all week. On painted batting, on black felt, on the plain design wall. I like them well enough.. but it's just not enough!What really intrigues me about this play is the positive/negative play between the shapes. So when I'm not acting a painting assistant this weekend, I think I'll work on this concept with some commercial fabrics and maybe even some piecing!!
I see some hexagonal shapes.. partly open, partly patterned, varying in size... Like a grandmother's flower garden gone wild. (yeah, it seems to me that this HAS been done before..but not by me.)
Speaking about piecing.. this the smallish flannel quilt top (fuzzed up) that I was earlier. It needs a final border, I think.. so I must shop for something to use.Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Thursday, August 31, 2006
In the spirit of BlogDay
The spirit of BlogDay is to find new blogs totally different from our normal spot of blogging.
While I was looking for blogs, I thought about Koan's blog.. No, it's not new... but recently I find many of her posts have a much wider application than simply examining her rather interesting life. So, though she's not listed in my BlogDay post, I am writing about her here and suggesting you go check her out.
Koan Brenner is as she describes it: 42 years-old, English, female, Buddist, music-loving, motorcyle-riding, insomniac, podcasting videblogging technologist.
Sounds interesting enough at that, right? Her blog is whole lot more.. as she blogs her life, including adjusting to a new body. It's an interesting read. Especially to see the ways that our lives are similar. Just before her recent breast augmentation surgery, Koan wrote:
Choosing change (perfect or not) and life over staying the same but dying. How many of us have had to do the same thing!
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I'm celebrating BlogDay!
While I was looking for blogs, I thought about Koan's blog.. No, it's not new... but recently I find many of her posts have a much wider application than simply examining her rather interesting life. So, though she's not listed in my BlogDay post, I am writing about her here and suggesting you go check her out.
Koan Brenner is as she describes it: 42 years-old, English, female, Buddist, music-loving, motorcyle-riding, insomniac, podcasting videblogging technologist.
Sounds interesting enough at that, right? Her blog is whole lot more.. as she blogs her life, including adjusting to a new body. It's an interesting read. Especially to see the ways that our lives are similar. Just before her recent breast augmentation surgery, Koan wrote:
Something I've been thinking about, a lot, is the consequences of a conclusion I came to, maybe six years ago. Back then, I convinced myself that I would never be passable - by which I mean, I convinced myself that there was always going to be the likelihood that when I met someone, they would (sooner or later, but eventually) work out my past. Six years ago, that conclusion was enough to stop me from beginning to transition. Three years ago, I still believed it - but, knowing that I had to transition or die, it shaped my transition. I realised that it really didn't matter to me if someone worked out my past, or not - I would still be alive, long after I would otherwise have been.
Choosing change (perfect or not) and life over staying the same but dying. How many of us have had to do the same thing!
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I'm celebrating BlogDay!
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Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Smudgy Seams
Another photo in my "smudged clouds" set. I promise tomorrow will be something different.Bet Carol and others were about to send out the blogging huskies again to find me. Sorry. I have been working...
One of my Pickle friends is a rep. for a fabric wholesaler. So frequently she opens a huge suitcase of samples and asks us to please get them out of her house. The fabrics have been discontinued, so she doesn't need them anymore.
A week ago Monday I took 6 identical packets of flannel squares of a Halloween print (cute pumpkin things). The plan is to sew them together in a raw edge way... and have a really fast small quilt top. (84 squares to work with each about 4" square).
Except.
I have to pay attention to what I'm doing, or I automatically put the fabrics together the usual way.. which in this case, it wrong. I should have finished piecing this part in just over 2 hours, but I'm not done yet and I worked on it for about 2 hours. I've lost count on how many times I've had to unsew a seam.
When the center is put together, I will have to decide on a border. It's going to be too small without one (9x9 I think). With any luck, I have the center part pieced by noon.
I'm still playing the pieces I painted last week. It's just about set to start some stitching.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions. Where I'm writing my ToDo list...
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Hah.. Celebrity Reality...
Steve heard the ads for the new "talent competition" show.. Celebrity Duets.
"Humph. Celebrities dancing and singing.. how trite. You will let me know when they have celebrity mud wrestling, won' t you?"
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I'm fighting a cold.
"Humph. Celebrities dancing and singing.. how trite. You will let me know when they have celebrity mud wrestling, won' t you?"
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I'm fighting a cold.
Part of the Plan Shared
After the first coat of paint was applied in the family room (9:30 am) the spouser cleaned up and suggested that we head down to IKEA to look at a couple pieces of furniture for this room. I hope to have this room more-or-less decorated by the end of October. (probably less.. but we'll see.) It would be the end of September, but... ooops those 3 weeks in the Midwest...This photo shows a fairly empty room. See that ugly bookcase thingy at the left? That is leaving this room. I wish it would leave our house, but getting someone to pick it up? Almost as hard as getting the spouser to part with it. It is the first piece of new furniture he ever purchased (back in 1978).
Anyway the family room will be oriented to face the wall with the fireplace on it (ok in this shot? the rectangle of newspaper). I may cut a piece of foam to cover that stupid porthole window, and hang a picture over it. (the window is no good for anything but shining the morning sun in my eyes, but people find it a "charming touch".). Underneath there we will put this TV Stand that we picked up today. Between the fireplace and the windows, we will put this bookcase or one quite similar to it. That will hold the audio stuff, some books and nicknacks.
I want to find a small couch.. maybe one with a chaise kind of end to it to place in front of the fireplace. Microfiber would be good with the dogs. Steve's chair will go where the ugly bookcase is, and mine near the windows for the good light.
We are still talking about getting a rear-projection or other fancy new TV set in here. The major requirement is a screen that can deal with glare. Because there is a lot of glare along the back of our house. Even with the blinds installed.See we have these windows to deal with in the family room. There are 2 not quite showing around the corner there on the left.
Plus these in the kitchen. My new computer spot until the painting is done.
And even sometimes glare from these in the dining room!! Though are usually covered with nice light sagey curtains (also from IKEA) hung from the wire system at the top of the shot.
Can you tell? I love IKEA!!
Oh, and for of you thinking: if I had that view out my windows I'd never cover them!! I thought that, too, when we first moved into this house. Until the day in February when it was 75 and sunny outside and my family room went up to 95.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Friday, August 25, 2006
Spouses! Can't live without and can't shoot them.
THE SET-UP
When Katy was recovering from her surgery, I noticed the damage her pen was doing to the wall behind her and mentioned that "we'll have to paint this room when she recovers." When it comes to painting, "we" means "Steve" (ya got to let them think they are needed for something practical, and I do the electrical and plumbing repairs.)
Also, for the past year Steve has been talking about cleaning all the windows in the house. Inside and out. Have I mentioned that we rooms 2 stories tall with windows going all the way up? Anyway, last month someone he works with put him onto a window cleaning guy who is coming this Saturday to do the job.
Yesterday we removed all the window coverings on the first floor. I'm washing the curtains and rehemming one set, then cleaning the wooden blinds. That my job this weekend.
He will begin painting the family room
NOW, TODAY:
Ceiling this weekend, walls next. The way he's going, he'll be done by 10 am. and could get the walls done today, but a plan is a plan.
Monday night he started clearing the room, taking down the mantle I don't want up anymore, the quilt that covers a window I hate.
I got up at 6:30 this morning, and the chair I sit in and watch the morning news? NOT THERE. My laptop that sits next to my chair? NOT THERE. His chair? THERE. That was 6:30.
It's 7 friggin' AM and he's moved everything out of the family room except the one big piece of furniture that won't be moved. The floor and said bookcase are covered with plastic. He's controlling the tv.
THE FUTURE:
Ok this is one example of living with this guy. In September, we're back to Illinois for 3 weeks to pack up his mother's house and get rid of most of her stuff. She's demented (probably from a series of TIAs), and will remain in a nursing home the rest of her life. Now imagine the fun I will have with Mr. Spouser while we're there.
Oh, BTW, we'll be staying at the house. No Cable. A 16" TV from the 1970s. No phone. The only internet at Panera Bread. Please don't leave me when I'm gone!! (I will try to blog during those trips to PB to keep my sanity).
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions... like I'm not distracted enough here!!
When Katy was recovering from her surgery, I noticed the damage her pen was doing to the wall behind her and mentioned that "we'll have to paint this room when she recovers." When it comes to painting, "we" means "Steve" (ya got to let them think they are needed for something practical, and I do the electrical and plumbing repairs.)
Also, for the past year Steve has been talking about cleaning all the windows in the house. Inside and out. Have I mentioned that we rooms 2 stories tall with windows going all the way up? Anyway, last month someone he works with put him onto a window cleaning guy who is coming this Saturday to do the job.
Yesterday we removed all the window coverings on the first floor. I'm washing the curtains and rehemming one set, then cleaning the wooden blinds. That my job this weekend.
He will begin painting the family room
NOW, TODAY:
Ceiling this weekend, walls next. The way he's going, he'll be done by 10 am. and could get the walls done today, but a plan is a plan.
Monday night he started clearing the room, taking down the mantle I don't want up anymore, the quilt that covers a window I hate.
I got up at 6:30 this morning, and the chair I sit in and watch the morning news? NOT THERE. My laptop that sits next to my chair? NOT THERE. His chair? THERE. That was 6:30.
It's 7 friggin' AM and he's moved everything out of the family room except the one big piece of furniture that won't be moved. The floor and said bookcase are covered with plastic. He's controlling the tv.
THE FUTURE:
Ok this is one example of living with this guy. In September, we're back to Illinois for 3 weeks to pack up his mother's house and get rid of most of her stuff. She's demented (probably from a series of TIAs), and will remain in a nursing home the rest of her life. Now imagine the fun I will have with Mr. Spouser while we're there.
Oh, BTW, we'll be staying at the house. No Cable. A 16" TV from the 1970s. No phone. The only internet at Panera Bread. Please don't leave me when I'm gone!! (I will try to blog during those trips to PB to keep my sanity).
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions... like I'm not distracted enough here!!
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Inspiration sources
Photo: An element from a sculpture.Every once in a while we all just need some visual inspiration. Looking at patterns or colors and distilling what you see into your own work. Melody has written that she uses photographs of rugs and home dec items when she needs something...
Print and Pattern blog is a place to find some of this. Scroll down through the retro post-modern work, to the animals and bright graphic work of yamauchi kazuaki....there is inspiration a plenty here.
Another great place to look was pointed out by Sharon B. when she wrote about symbols.com
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I wrote about the weather...
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Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Working
..
Yes, this photo is a little "improved". The clouds really looked like scratchy brush strokes, but that didn't come out in the photo. Saturating the colors made it unreal, but quite dramatic. I love this. This is facing east from my back deck.
Today I've already taken the dogs to the dog park, and did some picking up around the house. We're going out to supper with a friend early this evening, so I've got about 3 hours this afternoon to work. I've painted up fabric and batting, carved myself out a stamp (and have another drawn). This afternoon I'm going to fuse up some of the fabrics, cut the shapes and start playing.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Yes, this photo is a little "improved". The clouds really looked like scratchy brush strokes, but that didn't come out in the photo. Saturating the colors made it unreal, but quite dramatic. I love this. This is facing east from my back deck.
Today I've already taken the dogs to the dog park, and did some picking up around the house. We're going out to supper with a friend early this evening, so I've got about 3 hours this afternoon to work. I've painted up fabric and batting, carved myself out a stamp (and have another drawn). This afternoon I'm going to fuse up some of the fabrics, cut the shapes and start playing.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
I haven't posted since Friday??
I haven't posted since Friday?? Really? Wait a minute.. I have photos of my friend Janice's new studio. I must go find those and post them.
Janice and her hubby have moved into what was a rental unit of thiers for the next 2 years (changes the tax situation when they sell). As this home has a very small efficiency unit on the lowest level (like an inlaw suite), she is using that as her studio.
This is right-hand side of the efficiency unit. Think of it as the sitting/sleeping area. Those two steps lead you up a platform (on the right... covered with fabric) that is the bed. There is a closet area behind that wall on the left.
Most of the supplies you see here are some of Janice's paper art supplies. the colored organizers (red, blue, green) hold stamps. I think the other organizers may hold stamps, too.
There is a nice "desk area" to organize papers and do small work, and a large work table.
This a shot from the kitchen side looking at the front part of the suite. That's Janice at the door. And see the nice large window in the sitting space? That's the work area.
In the foreground here is the kitchen counter space. In living situation this would be the eat-in area, but now it's a paper storage area.
The rest of the kitchen area. Xerox machine, space for wet work, and cupboards for more storage.
Look how cute the fabric looks in the glass-fronted cabinets of the kitchen.
Janice says this will all be sorted out, UFOs finished, and ready to move back into their main house when the 2 years are up. We'll see!!
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
where I'll be writing about walking the dogs.
Janice and her hubby have moved into what was a rental unit of thiers for the next 2 years (changes the tax situation when they sell). As this home has a very small efficiency unit on the lowest level (like an inlaw suite), she is using that as her studio.
This is right-hand side of the efficiency unit. Think of it as the sitting/sleeping area. Those two steps lead you up a platform (on the right... covered with fabric) that is the bed. There is a closet area behind that wall on the left.Most of the supplies you see here are some of Janice's paper art supplies. the colored organizers (red, blue, green) hold stamps. I think the other organizers may hold stamps, too.
There is a nice "desk area" to organize papers and do small work, and a large work table.
This a shot from the kitchen side looking at the front part of the suite. That's Janice at the door. And see the nice large window in the sitting space? That's the work area.In the foreground here is the kitchen counter space. In living situation this would be the eat-in area, but now it's a paper storage area.
The rest of the kitchen area. Xerox machine, space for wet work, and cupboards for more storage.
Look how cute the fabric looks in the glass-fronted cabinets of the kitchen.
Janice says this will all be sorted out, UFOs finished, and ready to move back into their main house when the 2 years are up. We'll see!!
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
where I'll be writing about walking the dogs.
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Friday, August 18, 2006
I must have it nearly perfect this time...
I just added a couple new songs to the ever-growing playlist of music for my MP3 player.
Every couple weeks Ipick and chose about 40 songs to download. Yes, I have more than this, but 12 songs or so are usually a walk-length listen.. so this gives about 1/2 a week before I need to repeat. And knowing I like every song and they are all "walk tempo tested" is a benefit.
Except.
This week I start listening while I walk.. and don't take the earphones off until I've run through everything! The mix of heavy and less heavy rock is great. I find myself smiling and happy and incredibly energized... then pulled back to calmer but still happy energy level.
I added some Simple Minds, Boston and (as I said) Smashmouth to my normal mix of Santana, Los Lonely Boys, Jethro Tull, Meatloaf and (ofcourse) Dire Straits. Quite Happy Happy, and I shuffled the arrangements so no person performs 2 songs in a row. I'm constantly surprised!
I also just today realized that often when I'm spending time a group, I seem a bit "dull" because the music that's being played is softer or (to my senses) duller than I prefer (think Celine Dion or that blind guy who sings Italian). So the background music saps my energy. I have a feeling many friends would be surprised to see me with my earphones on, head bobbing and dancing around the house singing.
So how many out there are calmed by rock music?
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Every couple weeks Ipick and chose about 40 songs to download. Yes, I have more than this, but 12 songs or so are usually a walk-length listen.. so this gives about 1/2 a week before I need to repeat. And knowing I like every song and they are all "walk tempo tested" is a benefit.
Except.
This week I start listening while I walk.. and don't take the earphones off until I've run through everything! The mix of heavy and less heavy rock is great. I find myself smiling and happy and incredibly energized... then pulled back to calmer but still happy energy level.
I added some Simple Minds, Boston and (as I said) Smashmouth to my normal mix of Santana, Los Lonely Boys, Jethro Tull, Meatloaf and (ofcourse) Dire Straits. Quite Happy Happy, and I shuffled the arrangements so no person performs 2 songs in a row. I'm constantly surprised!
I also just today realized that often when I'm spending time a group, I seem a bit "dull" because the music that's being played is softer or (to my senses) duller than I prefer (think Celine Dion or that blind guy who sings Italian). So the background music saps my energy. I have a feeling many friends would be surprised to see me with my earphones on, head bobbing and dancing around the house singing.
So how many out there are calmed by rock music?
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
My notes say this piece is Paul Klee's Tunisian Garden.I am constantly intrigued by the way his paintings look like quilts. Simple shapes, repeated in differing scale, and a variety of colors. Sometimes sharp lines, sometimes blending from one to the next.
This piece has been in my photo inspiration file for ages, so I'm dragging it out to use. Yeah, I could collage together a piece with similar shapes just to get myself back to work, but I'm going to try and limit myself to only using the color pallete. Then construct a collage using some of the graphic sketches I've been working on to both paint on top and use as appliques.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I've blogged about Cute Shoes, Lemon Chicken and Katy's full recovery.
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Monday, August 14, 2006
Clara Cried.
I often mention my Pickle friend; the shows we attend, the trips we take, the way we get together each week and support our lives. One tradition is to have a party when we hit a "Big Zero" birthday. Monday night, was Clara's 50th Pickle Party.
When these began eight years ago, the idea was that each person would receive 50 fat quarters and a collection of buttons, beads, threads, and other good stuff. Several months ago, Clara mentioned to another Pickle (HI, Del!) that she didn't NEED any more fabric. We put our heads together behind her back, and came up with a plan. Clara has wanted to do a crazy quilt for a while. She's talked about it, and talked about.
Now she can stop talking. We gave her a Crazy Quilt in a Bag.
We each made her a couple crazy pieced blocks, in pastely and light colored fabrics, added some of the trims and threads to finish each block. The party hostess (Jeanne) then found this great case (in the scrapbooking section at JoAnne's) to put it all in.
Clara has 25 blocks and all these threads, trims, beads and buttons to work with.
Some examples. This is one of the blocks I made. The color is bad because the flash was off, (sorry). The center is hand-painted silk.
This is a different block, but a better example of the colors of most of them. Sorry, I'm not sure who made it. (Debbie?) Silks, satins, ribbons and cottons were combined to make some the blocks. Others are all cotton. And although each person made their blocks independantly, they all go.
Another Block Sans Flash. Sorry. This one has several pieces of kimono silk in it and a gorgeous piece of lace lightly tacked in place. Made by Karen. The blocks were all oversized, so Clara can trim them all up to the same size.
Several years ago, one of our more senior members died. For her funeral, we all quickly stitched up little squares with embroidery (thank goodness for machines with fancy stitches) which were used as a casket cover. One of the Jeanne's blocks used an extra square of this embroidery as it's center. Many of the threads given had belonged to my friend Linda (a fabulous crazy quilter) before she died. So almost all the Pickles and then some are represented in the quilt.
When Clara opened the present, she cried. Heck, as she heard the story of our plans, and the stories of the blocks, she cried again. She's probably crying today as she explains it to her coworkers.
Our next party is in November.... but you can't wait to see what we come up with for that occasion!!
When these began eight years ago, the idea was that each person would receive 50 fat quarters and a collection of buttons, beads, threads, and other good stuff. Several months ago, Clara mentioned to another Pickle (HI, Del!) that she didn't NEED any more fabric. We put our heads together behind her back, and came up with a plan. Clara has wanted to do a crazy quilt for a while. She's talked about it, and talked about.
Now she can stop talking. We gave her a Crazy Quilt in a Bag.
We each made her a couple crazy pieced blocks, in pastely and light colored fabrics, added some of the trims and threads to finish each block. The party hostess (Jeanne) then found this great case (in the scrapbooking section at JoAnne's) to put it all in.
Clara has 25 blocks and all these threads, trims, beads and buttons to work with.
Some examples. This is one of the blocks I made. The color is bad because the flash was off, (sorry). The center is hand-painted silk.
This is a different block, but a better example of the colors of most of them. Sorry, I'm not sure who made it. (Debbie?) Silks, satins, ribbons and cottons were combined to make some the blocks. Others are all cotton. And although each person made their blocks independantly, they all go.
Another Block Sans Flash. Sorry. This one has several pieces of kimono silk in it and a gorgeous piece of lace lightly tacked in place. Made by Karen. The blocks were all oversized, so Clara can trim them all up to the same size.
Several years ago, one of our more senior members died. For her funeral, we all quickly stitched up little squares with embroidery (thank goodness for machines with fancy stitches) which were used as a casket cover. One of the Jeanne's blocks used an extra square of this embroidery as it's center. Many of the threads given had belonged to my friend Linda (a fabulous crazy quilter) before she died. So almost all the Pickles and then some are represented in the quilt.
When Clara opened the present, she cried. Heck, as she heard the story of our plans, and the stories of the blocks, she cried again. She's probably crying today as she explains it to her coworkers.
Our next party is in November.... but you can't wait to see what we come up with for that occasion!!
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Life Maintainence
First, THIS was a sunset this past week. I missed getting the sun actually setting, which occurred in the very center of the "V" of clouds. Just imagine it.
This weekend has been spent in Life Maintainence activities. I have done most of the repair work on our lawn sprinkler system, cleaned carpeting and vacuumed, and gotten much yard work done.
This is all good.
The coming week I have a birthday party to attend one night and a play date scheduled one day. The rest of the time can be dedicated to something creative. I'm trying to work out some details of the plan that is really only instinct at the moment.
I know that whatever I do, it will involve intricate stitching and layering of details. That's about as far as it's gotten so far. I'm sketching graphics.. and thinking about ways to use them. I'm touching fabrics, fingering threads and waiting for the connections to be made in my sub conscious. I am confident NOW that very soon everything will suddenly "click" and concept will vision.
As these things are stewing, the physical action of cleaning and gardening is distracting the left side of brain so the right side can work.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I'm pointing out a fun add on for bloggers who use Performancing and reporting on a small gardening/cooking experiment.
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Thursday, August 10, 2006
See how this bush in divided in parts? That's kind of the way my day has gone. Errands upon to-dos upon chores. sigh.First thing this morning, I heard from Angela at Kel-Aire. Funny thing is, I was just about to call her. Matt was scheduled to show up this morning, but I was the second visit. My furnace is in our attic; and it could be hot today. I thought he should come first thing; Angela and Matt agreed.
So 8:30, he's here's. Finished everything up by 10 am. Even asked me if I had any questions about my systems. That's why I like this company. When was the last time a serviceman asked if you had questions?
Matt leaves. I shower, get dressed, take the dogs for a walk and a trip to PetSmart. Home for a quick lunch, getting a load of laundry done and out of the line. Check out the sprinkler head I broke mowing the lawn yesterday. Broke the piece I found for replacing it. (sigh..). Grocery shopping. Maybe Home Depot will help me with the sprinkler head. (probably not).
Interspersed was thread selection, some browsing through my stash. Tonight I hope to recover the knitting that's gone off.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
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Tuesday, August 08, 2006
I LOVE the Tuesday Farmer's Market
I'll admit it; I shop around for my dream Farmer's Market. I visit the Saturday morning one close to my house. It's very small and appeals to our strong Asian population. The stone fruit is hard-as-a-rock, the veggies common and there's not much else.
Sunday mornings I can drive over to Martinez; while slightly larger, the new vendors are soaps, candles, jewelry. Still not what I want. We checked out Marin's famous Sunday market last month: Everything there was double the price of the markets in our county. And it was too crowded.
But Tuesday mornings I can drive 12 miles south to El Cerrito and be in heaven. Today I found white nectarines that are only 1 day away from ripe. As close as I will get. I found a booth selling raspberries, the last of the season blackberries and Red Heart strawberries. I got a "three-fer"--a carton of each berry--for $5. It will complete tonight's supper.
There was a vendor selling only heirloom tomatoes ($2.50/pound). I picked one of about seven types. Tomorrow's supper will include sliced heirloom tomatoes with slices of buffalo mozzarella.
I can plan 3 days worth of menus while walking around the market. It would be perfect if I also remembered to return on Fridays. I could cover the whole week.
NOW THE BONUS: The farmer's market is located right by a Trader Joe's. TJ's is the only place I can varieties of sheep and goat milk cheeses. So a stop at one place means a stop at the other. Most of what I need to fill out those menu plans I pick up at TJs. Healthy, delicious stuff and not too expensive.
So the important stuff: What's For Dinner, Tonight? A mixed veggie quiche made with freshly grated Pecorino and Manchego cheeses (summer squash, onions, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes) with a fresh fruit salad.
What else did I do today? Do some my work for BlogHer and sketched some design elements. And so far: 8822 steps.
Sunday mornings I can drive over to Martinez; while slightly larger, the new vendors are soaps, candles, jewelry. Still not what I want. We checked out Marin's famous Sunday market last month: Everything there was double the price of the markets in our county. And it was too crowded.
But Tuesday mornings I can drive 12 miles south to El Cerrito and be in heaven. Today I found white nectarines that are only 1 day away from ripe. As close as I will get. I found a booth selling raspberries, the last of the season blackberries and Red Heart strawberries. I got a "three-fer"--a carton of each berry--for $5. It will complete tonight's supper.
There was a vendor selling only heirloom tomatoes ($2.50/pound). I picked one of about seven types. Tomorrow's supper will include sliced heirloom tomatoes with slices of buffalo mozzarella.
I can plan 3 days worth of menus while walking around the market. It would be perfect if I also remembered to return on Fridays. I could cover the whole week.
NOW THE BONUS: The farmer's market is located right by a Trader Joe's. TJ's is the only place I can varieties of sheep and goat milk cheeses. So a stop at one place means a stop at the other. Most of what I need to fill out those menu plans I pick up at TJs. Healthy, delicious stuff and not too expensive.
So the important stuff: What's For Dinner, Tonight? A mixed veggie quiche made with freshly grated Pecorino and Manchego cheeses (summer squash, onions, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes) with a fresh fruit salad.
What else did I do today? Do some my work for BlogHer and sketched some design elements. And so far: 8822 steps.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
On The Launch Pad
Nah, the photo doesn't have a thing to do with the text. But it's a nice photo. And it's part of my neighborhood.
Ok, I am done with my post-blogher ramblings. Back to the real life.
Friday night I picked up the yellow cotton tank top I've been knitting most of the summer. I put it down at some point, and don't remember where I left off in a pattern. So instead of knitting further Friday, I ripped back to an obvious point and I'm knitting it again. I'm doing the last of the armhole shaping-heading up to the straps. (oh yeah.. THAT'S where I left off.. where I had to add the second skein of yarn. Oh well, too late now).
The sewing room is a bit messy and needs a thorough straightening up. Hopefully today. I have seen so many impressive graphics places in the past couple days, and they are registering as interesting design stuff. I just know that I'm in the "final stewing" stage before my next creative spurt erupts. Some time early this evening with some sketch paper, and some images to play with.
Hhmm... maybe pencil in a morning of fabric dyeing this week to get prepared.
I feel energy and enthusiasm beginning to pulse!!
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where today I'm writing about a pit stop.
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Friday, August 04, 2006
Showing Off
This week I mentioned two things I would talk more about. One was FilmLoop and the second was the kit from ZoomAlbum. I'm combining them here.
Below is a photo loop created in FILMLOOP. It shows the parts of the ZoomAlbum kit I recieved, what they are and what the end product is.
The FilmLoop folks believed this would a cool way to share all the photos from a party or event (you can import stuff from Flickr, like everything with a certain tag.) So they believed all the pictures from a party or conference could be shared this way. There is a blogher film loop with about 250 pictures looping through it.
I realized that we could take step by step photos for a demo, upload them into the FilmLoop program and show them as a mini-flash program on our blogs. A running loop how-to.
Ofcourse to actually see the whole loop and read my comments, you need to download the FilmLoop program. Bummer. But it's free, small and fast.
1. Would you do that? (download the program?)
2. Would you do that to see more details in a demo?
3. Would you do it if it meant you could access the demo photo loop whenever on your desktop?
4. Would you do this yourself?
Or are you happy scrolling through a blogpost a few times to pick up what you wish?
I'm really curious here. I see this an an app with great potential!!
=====
So anyway, about these ZoomAlbums. These are kits you can purchase to make your own 12 page 3"x3" photo books. Each kit comes with material to make 3 books; that's the yellow kit. Additionally, you can buy a photo cover kit which would let you print 3 photo covers for these books. The software sizes and organizes everything for printing. The printed sheet tells you how to fold to make the book.
I think these would fun for a really special occasion things (the examples they sent me were a wedding day and a young girl. Possibly her first year or two.) Very cute little projects. I may have to break this open after a 50th birthday party I'm attending this weekend. NOT that I'd use this often, but I don't think this is something to use often.
As I said, there is a party this weekend with many of my Pickle-girlfriends in attendance. Lots of fun will be had!
Kowabunga, Martha!! All last weekend, I whined that I was only 2 readers away from averaging 100 readers/day. Just checked my stats: average numbers: 115!! Hello all my new friends.
Below is a photo loop created in FILMLOOP. It shows the parts of the ZoomAlbum kit I recieved, what they are and what the end product is.
The FilmLoop folks believed this would a cool way to share all the photos from a party or event (you can import stuff from Flickr, like everything with a certain tag.) So they believed all the pictures from a party or conference could be shared this way. There is a blogher film loop with about 250 pictures looping through it.
I realized that we could take step by step photos for a demo, upload them into the FilmLoop program and show them as a mini-flash program on our blogs. A running loop how-to.
Ofcourse to actually see the whole loop and read my comments, you need to download the FilmLoop program. Bummer. But it's free, small and fast.
1. Would you do that? (download the program?)
2. Would you do that to see more details in a demo?
3. Would you do it if it meant you could access the demo photo loop whenever on your desktop?
4. Would you do this yourself?
Or are you happy scrolling through a blogpost a few times to pick up what you wish?
I'm really curious here. I see this an an app with great potential!!
=====
So anyway, about these ZoomAlbums. These are kits you can purchase to make your own 12 page 3"x3" photo books. Each kit comes with material to make 3 books; that's the yellow kit. Additionally, you can buy a photo cover kit which would let you print 3 photo covers for these books. The software sizes and organizes everything for printing. The printed sheet tells you how to fold to make the book.
I think these would fun for a really special occasion things (the examples they sent me were a wedding day and a young girl. Possibly her first year or two.) Very cute little projects. I may have to break this open after a 50th birthday party I'm attending this weekend. NOT that I'd use this often, but I don't think this is something to use often.
As I said, there is a party this weekend with many of my Pickle-girlfriends in attendance. Lots of fun will be had!
Kowabunga, Martha!! All last weekend, I whined that I was only 2 readers away from averaging 100 readers/day. Just checked my stats: average numbers: 115!! Hello all my new friends.
Tags:
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Five Bonuses From BlogHer
BlogHer was frequently described as an "un-conference." That is, the connections made outside the sessions are as important as the lessons learned in them. Given that plan, the bonuses:
1. Nancy White. Nancy is a dynamo I've admired from afar. We've connected and I hope will be talking about really doing something with the Culture of Love concept in the future.
2. I met Buzz Brugerman from ActiveWords who wrote the guys at ZoomAlbum and suggested they send me a couple of their kits for review. I know they are winging their way to me as I write. And when I have time, I'll be checking out ActiveWords, too. Next year, Buzz and I have to chat.
3. My room mates. Thursday night I roomed with Elizabeth Perry, Friday and Saturday it was Pam. Two bloggers I've admired are now friends. What the entire experience should be.
4. Meeting several of the other BlogHer CEs I admire. Leslie, Maria, Kaylee, Britt, Liz , Tricia. Only wish there'd been time to meet more.
5. Sue Richards. If you are a woman "of a certain age" Sue is well worth reading. She is warm and engaging and freaking gorgeous!!
6. OK, I need to add another. Average Jane. We shared a table Friday morning.. and again Sunday morning. A charming, intelligent woman (and heavy metal rocker!!)
Anyone else I missed??
Check out my other blog, Deb's Daily Distractions, where I'll be reacting to this week's Project Runway.
1. Nancy White. Nancy is a dynamo I've admired from afar. We've connected and I hope will be talking about really doing something with the Culture of Love concept in the future.
2. I met Buzz Brugerman from ActiveWords who wrote the guys at ZoomAlbum and suggested they send me a couple of their kits for review. I know they are winging their way to me as I write. And when I have time, I'll be checking out ActiveWords, too. Next year, Buzz and I have to chat.
3. My room mates. Thursday night I roomed with Elizabeth Perry, Friday and Saturday it was Pam. Two bloggers I've admired are now friends. What the entire experience should be.
4. Meeting several of the other BlogHer CEs I admire. Leslie, Maria, Kaylee, Britt, Liz , Tricia. Only wish there'd been time to meet more.
5. Sue Richards. If you are a woman "of a certain age" Sue is well worth reading. She is warm and engaging and freaking gorgeous!!
6. OK, I need to add another. Average Jane. We shared a table Friday morning.. and again Sunday morning. A charming, intelligent woman (and heavy metal rocker!!)
Anyone else I missed??
Check out my other blog, Deb's Daily Distractions, where I'll be reacting to this week's Project Runway.
Tags:
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Five Things I Didn't Love About BlogHer
I'm not going as far as to say I Hated These Things.. They were simply the things that detracted from the experience.
1. Sponsors with a flawed marketing concept for the group. While several of the sponsors had spot-on concepts and presentations (Saturn, Film-Loop, Six Apart), others were woefully inappropriate. MSN marketing Live Spaces to already bloggers? Elexa by Trojan passing out t-shirts that would primarily fit a 8 year old? Contrex giving us "european mineral water" (not necessarily a bad idea) and telling us that drinking it would make us skinny?
None of these companies quite grasped the concept that this group of women was savvy. That many were highly educated. That they couldn't talk down to us.
2. Poor connectivity. You would think that telling a center you will have 700 people showing up who will all want free wifi all the time, would convince them to have the infrastructure to deal with that. Not true. Apparently the Hyatt thought our demand would be no greater than 700 businessmen checking email. That, and most people couldn't find our complimentary connection so they ended up signing up for the $25/3 days cost.
3. Sessions that somehow didn't/couldn't live up to their description. Heather Champ, who did the session on digital photography, admitted she expected to be talking to maybe 15-25 people NOT the 50-100 that attended each section of the session. And she did it well. Other presenters, promising a lot, left me thinking that I made poor choices. After talking to other attendees, I'm thinking instead that there was a gap between expectations and reality.
I'm not sure how this could be fixed. But next year I'll probably position myself where it will be easier to leave a session when I realize it's not panning out.
4. Some of the food options. Mainly having only 2-3 stations for serving food by the pool meant long lines. And for the $25/ticket price.. I think we deserved a bit more than cold cuts and melons (all I got on Saturday night) and one drink. However the lunches were yummy; with chicken, veggies and fruit offered, and delicious desserts.
5. The sense of us/them inclusion/exclusion. There is a huge discussion going on post-conference about the mommybloggers. Those of us outside that realm had experiences of feeling marginalized by the mommybloggers; they claim we're mistaken. All I know is there was frequently a "in crowd" and "everyone else" division that nobody really anticipated.
Fortunately, the organizers are already evaluating actions for next year to deal with this.
Tomorrow: some of the highlights you might find only at a primarily woman-oriented function.
1. Sponsors with a flawed marketing concept for the group. While several of the sponsors had spot-on concepts and presentations (Saturn, Film-Loop, Six Apart), others were woefully inappropriate. MSN marketing Live Spaces to already bloggers? Elexa by Trojan passing out t-shirts that would primarily fit a 8 year old? Contrex giving us "european mineral water" (not necessarily a bad idea) and telling us that drinking it would make us skinny?
None of these companies quite grasped the concept that this group of women was savvy. That many were highly educated. That they couldn't talk down to us.
2. Poor connectivity. You would think that telling a center you will have 700 people showing up who will all want free wifi all the time, would convince them to have the infrastructure to deal with that. Not true. Apparently the Hyatt thought our demand would be no greater than 700 businessmen checking email. That, and most people couldn't find our complimentary connection so they ended up signing up for the $25/3 days cost.
3. Sessions that somehow didn't/couldn't live up to their description. Heather Champ, who did the session on digital photography, admitted she expected to be talking to maybe 15-25 people NOT the 50-100 that attended each section of the session. And she did it well. Other presenters, promising a lot, left me thinking that I made poor choices. After talking to other attendees, I'm thinking instead that there was a gap between expectations and reality.
I'm not sure how this could be fixed. But next year I'll probably position myself where it will be easier to leave a session when I realize it's not panning out.
4. Some of the food options. Mainly having only 2-3 stations for serving food by the pool meant long lines. And for the $25/ticket price.. I think we deserved a bit more than cold cuts and melons (all I got on Saturday night) and one drink. However the lunches were yummy; with chicken, veggies and fruit offered, and delicious desserts.
5. The sense of us/them inclusion/exclusion. There is a huge discussion going on post-conference about the mommybloggers. Those of us outside that realm had experiences of feeling marginalized by the mommybloggers; they claim we're mistaken. All I know is there was frequently a "in crowd" and "everyone else" division that nobody really anticipated.
Fortunately, the organizers are already evaluating actions for next year to deal with this.
Tomorrow: some of the highlights you might find only at a primarily woman-oriented function.
Tags:
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Five Things I LOVED About BlogHer
I'm slowly processing my reactions to the weekend at BlogHer. I decided that I had to start writing some of this down before it slipped into the muddle of my menopausal mind. So I'll start with some of the high points.
1. I loved meeting people I read, even if only infrequently. I embarrassed myself constantly when meeting someone, to suddenly have their face and their photo click in my mind. So to the introduction: "Hello, I'm Betty Blogger". My mind would say.. Betty Blogger's photo.. look at this face in front of me, CLICK. And ALWAYS come out with: Yes!! You Are!!
Like they didn't know who they were!!I know it was my way of processing, or recognizing.. but I'm sure I sounded like a dingbat.
2. I loved meeting other people who blog and love it. Most of people I know IRL don't have the same passion. Most, let's admit it, either shrug at the word or more honestly say: I've read a few.. and what's the point? I could glaze their eyes over with techie speak: social networking. yada yada. Instead, I just keep this part of my life private. Another case of my feeling the need to segment myself. No segmenting at BlogHer.
3. I loved learning about a couple new applications. One vendor was thrilled when mid-talk I suddenly saw a way of using their product on my blog in a way that they hadn't considered. I'll be playing over the next few days and giving this a try within a week or so.
4. I loved being around strong, verbal intelligent women. I've said before that the reason I cherish my Pickle friends is the chance to experience intelligent women. Way too often in my life, I've felt the need to "dumb down" around women; at BlogHer I needed to smarten up. And when Nancy White told me she considers me a writer? Made the entire day.
5. I loved some of the schwag. We got really cools bags from Six Apart (typepad), and jump drives from Saturn. Got some cute "mommy" stuff that I'll pass along, and several books. But we also got sugar substitutes and condoms (?) which I could have done without. And all conference we were supplied with one brand of bottled water that didn't taste particularly good, and marketed itself as the water that will make you skinny!! (NOT). I get that these were people learning that it's important to market to women. But when will they learn that marketing to smart women means they have to market smartly?? I can only hope that the message gets through someday.
Not on the list, but a great experience: Friday night I sat at a table with a number of edu-bloggers (educational bloggers). In raving about the DOPA someone at the table decided that this law exhibits the current administration's culture of fear. And it was decided that the only way to fight it was with a CULTCHA OF LOVE. We started grabbing each person who passed by, trying to enlist them, we sang John Lennon, we got "that look" from the tables around us.Older savvy women on tear!! It was delicious.
Now BlogHer we know is atleast half about the social networking, so this is a good list to start with, but did you notice a lack of love for the sessions? Not that hated them all. But, I'll write more about the things I didn't love tomorrow.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
later today where I'll catch you up my everyday life (the AC, my TV obsessions and this week I hope to hire a trainer).
1. I loved meeting people I read, even if only infrequently. I embarrassed myself constantly when meeting someone, to suddenly have their face and their photo click in my mind. So to the introduction: "Hello, I'm Betty Blogger". My mind would say.. Betty Blogger's photo.. look at this face in front of me, CLICK. And ALWAYS come out with: Yes!! You Are!!
Like they didn't know who they were!!I know it was my way of processing, or recognizing.. but I'm sure I sounded like a dingbat.
2. I loved meeting other people who blog and love it. Most of people I know IRL don't have the same passion. Most, let's admit it, either shrug at the word or more honestly say: I've read a few.. and what's the point? I could glaze their eyes over with techie speak: social networking. yada yada. Instead, I just keep this part of my life private. Another case of my feeling the need to segment myself. No segmenting at BlogHer.
3. I loved learning about a couple new applications. One vendor was thrilled when mid-talk I suddenly saw a way of using their product on my blog in a way that they hadn't considered. I'll be playing over the next few days and giving this a try within a week or so.
4. I loved being around strong, verbal intelligent women. I've said before that the reason I cherish my Pickle friends is the chance to experience intelligent women. Way too often in my life, I've felt the need to "dumb down" around women; at BlogHer I needed to smarten up. And when Nancy White told me she considers me a writer? Made the entire day.
5. I loved some of the schwag. We got really cools bags from Six Apart (typepad), and jump drives from Saturn. Got some cute "mommy" stuff that I'll pass along, and several books. But we also got sugar substitutes and condoms (?) which I could have done without. And all conference we were supplied with one brand of bottled water that didn't taste particularly good, and marketed itself as the water that will make you skinny!! (NOT). I get that these were people learning that it's important to market to women. But when will they learn that marketing to smart women means they have to market smartly?? I can only hope that the message gets through someday.
Not on the list, but a great experience: Friday night I sat at a table with a number of edu-bloggers (educational bloggers). In raving about the DOPA someone at the table decided that this law exhibits the current administration's culture of fear. And it was decided that the only way to fight it was with a CULTCHA OF LOVE. We started grabbing each person who passed by, trying to enlist them, we sang John Lennon, we got "that look" from the tables around us.Older savvy women on tear!! It was delicious.
Now BlogHer we know is atleast half about the social networking, so this is a good list to start with, but did you notice a lack of love for the sessions? Not that hated them all. But, I'll write more about the things I didn't love tomorrow.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
later today where I'll catch you up my everyday life (the AC, my TV obsessions and this week I hope to hire a trainer).
Tags:
Friday, July 28, 2006
Lunchtime at BlogHer
Lunch at BlogHer. I had a nice tossed salad, some cherry tomatoes (they were fabulous!!) another cuppa coffee and a slice of pecan pie!! Who serves pecan pie at a conference?? I'm am not complaining.I've re-met several bloghers, gotten to speak with several of the other CEs and had one workshop session. The most useful part of that will be an upcoming post on how to make your blogs or website more accessble for those with disabilities.
Maybe later today.
This afternoon is the big deal geeky stuff.
For what it looks like, check out the Flickr group.
If you are interested in what the news is saying, I'm including a couple of the links. A note about the headlines: The San Jose Grand Prix is also running this weekend.. so the print media is trying to tie the two events together.
San Jose Mercury News put us front page along with the race.
SFGate reported about the huge increase in size of the conference (from about 300 last year to 750 this year on Saturday) and pointed out the level of our speakers.
What the heck, Marian Richmond wrote a fine review of the news stories for BlogHer.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where eventually I'll be writing about some the plug ins and websites.
Tags:
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Hope I know the way to San Jose...
(sorry folks, but photo uploading ain't working at the moment. So. No. Photo.)
I'm packed and ready to head off this afternoon to San Jose, CA and BlogHer 07.
where I'll be in workshops about better digital photography;building (or in my case, rebuilding) an audience; Primping (or prettifying) my blog; and understanding tagging and tracking.
I'll be talking with the other CE's, plus the quilting/knitting/crafting/gardening bloggers and whatever else will be represented in the 700+ folks attending. We are talking more face-to-face contact with other human beings in these 3 days than I normally get in a year!!
My Checklist:
Clothing packed: check.
Camera (batteries, memory cards): check
Computer accoutrement: check
Laptop (batteries, cord, chillpad): check
Business Cards: check
Tshirts and stuff for sale: check.
Excitement: Not In Check.
My other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions may have some of the fun stuff posted this weekend.
I'm packed and ready to head off this afternoon to San Jose, CA and BlogHer 07.
where I'll be in workshops about better digital photography;building (or in my case, rebuilding) an audience; Primping (or prettifying) my blog; and understanding tagging and tracking.
I'll be talking with the other CE's, plus the quilting/knitting/crafting/gardening bloggers and whatever else will be represented in the 700+ folks attending. We are talking more face-to-face contact with other human beings in these 3 days than I normally get in a year!!
My Checklist:
Clothing packed: check.
Camera (batteries, memory cards): check
Computer accoutrement: check
Laptop (batteries, cord, chillpad): check
Business Cards: check
Tshirts and stuff for sale: check.
Excitement: Not In Check.
My other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions may have some of the fun stuff posted this weekend.
Tags:
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Good, Better Best
The good news: The fog has returned to my part of the bay, bringing much cooler nights and somewhat cooler days.
The Better News: Kel-Aire is sending a repairman to fix our furnace on Friday morning. I'm leaving a note to Steve to have him do the regular maintainence stuff (as I was going to call them 8/1 to do this before the belt broke).
The BEST News: Katy visited her orthopedic surgeon yesterday for a check on how her leg is healing. Her bone has healed perfectly, and she received a release for activity. For the next 6 weeks we need to walk her longer distances every day, getting her up to about 2 miles by the middle of September. Barring any problems in this time, her latest incident is behind us!!
The Better News: Kel-Aire is sending a repairman to fix our furnace on Friday morning. I'm leaving a note to Steve to have him do the regular maintainence stuff (as I was going to call them 8/1 to do this before the belt broke).
The BEST News: Katy visited her orthopedic surgeon yesterday for a check on how her leg is healing. Her bone has healed perfectly, and she received a release for activity. For the next 6 weeks we need to walk her longer distances every day, getting her up to about 2 miles by the middle of September. Barring any problems in this time, her latest incident is behind us!!
Monday, July 24, 2006
A moment to "shout out" to my peeps!!
Ok, do I sound vain to admit that I subscribe to my own blog on my bloglines feed? And that today I actually checked out who else subscribes to it? (yes it does. You can tell me... I'm a sweltering blob of goo, but I can take it!)
I do not recognize the feed names.. but I'd like to give a shout out to the following. Please say "hey" back so I can a nick to a name:
I do not recognize the feed names.. but I'd like to give a shout out to the following. Please say "hey" back so I can a nick to a name:
- 4pj. Wait a minute. I think I should know this. I don't. But I can't put the blogtitle with the name.
- artstitches. Made it easy. Blog/nick the same.
- batixa. A play on the word Batik??
- BrianShields. Never met, Brian... but Hey!! Maybe next weekend at BlogHer.
- casuzen A Susan in California??
- computerpeach. I'm guessing a Georgian?? My newest subscriber. Well, welcome peach!! Here, have a glass of Sun tea!!
- HeidiWofraat. She reads a lot of the artquilt ring, but I'm not familiar with her. That's OK.. Guten tag, Heidi.
- kt2734. My oldest subscriber!! She's been subscribed longer than I have.
- lynnedjohnson. Well, that nick is easy to decipher!
- malittlej
- orangina
- Renmeleon
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Hot and Getting Hotter
It's 6:30 pm on Sunday; 92 degrees in the house and about 100 outside. I've been warned that it might take up to 3 weeks to get the AC fixed and the weather prediction is for hot weather for atleast the next week.
One important thing, here: the computer doesn't like being hot. At the moment it's sitting on an ice pack (nicely cooling my thighs). But I'm going to be using this in very short spurts until I get this whole thing dealt with.
I am being "cooled" by $30 Holmes stand fan (which atleast kinda moves the air) and icepacks. Katy lets me drape frozen bath towels over her to cool her off, but Jake is having none of that. Last night I pulled my recliner out on the deck and actually got about 3 hours sleep. I'll probably do the same thing tonight.
So think cool thoughts and send them my way. And if you know an HVAC repair man in Northern California who owes you a favor... please send him/her my way.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
One important thing, here: the computer doesn't like being hot. At the moment it's sitting on an ice pack (nicely cooling my thighs). But I'm going to be using this in very short spurts until I get this whole thing dealt with.
I am being "cooled" by $30 Holmes stand fan (which atleast kinda moves the air) and icepacks. Katy lets me drape frozen bath towels over her to cool her off, but Jake is having none of that. Last night I pulled my recliner out on the deck and actually got about 3 hours sleep. I'll probably do the same thing tonight.
So think cool thoughts and send them my way. And if you know an HVAC repair man in Northern California who owes you a favor... please send him/her my way.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Tags:
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Hot Times on the Old Home Front...
A cool view of Carquinez bridge and water...It's 9:30 on Saturday night and 87 degrees in my house. Maybe 83 outside (it's too dark to read the thermometer). It's gonna be a long night...
Late this afternoon, I noticed that it was getting HOT even though the AC was cranking. The outside temps were 111F, and inside it was 94. Went upstairs and the furnace/blower unit (in the attic) was making an odd sound. So I turned off the AC. Fifteen minutes later, the power went out (a rolling blackout? ).
About 9 pm. I figured whatever had been happened with the AC had time to recover, so I turned it back on. Unit outside fired up just fine. Fan in the house? Not a peep. Oh, and it smelled like burned rubber.
I'm guessing the fan belt is shot.
It will be atleast Monday until someone can fix it.
The high tomorrow? Supposed to be about 90-95. I pick the spouser up at the airport about 1 pm. so I get a bit of relief, but the dogs? They are definately going to be hot pups.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Ready to Waste some Time??
I found this beautiful little API (application programming interface) called Retrievr.Click on the link, and you will be transported to a page with a small simple drawing screen on the left. Choose a tool size, and a color and make a simple mark on the drawing pad. Then wait.
Retrievr will search the public Flickr photo pool and come up with photos that it thinks match it a little. Really this is hypnotic. Draw a couple thin lines of colors, the photos will change as the new colors are added.
The pool it draws from is fabulous, the process fascinating and whole thing a great escape.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
where I write about another little program: Trip Planner.
Friday, July 21, 2006
What Does My Name Mean???
Found on another blog: What Does Your Name Mean? No cute copy and paste option.
It changed completely when I added my middle initial (which I use on signatures on such). The Soul Urge stuff, however, is right on!! The inner self? So off!!
You entered: Debra Roby
There are 9 letters in your name.
Those 9 letters total to 45
There are 3 vowels and 6 consonants in your name.
Your number is: 9
The characteristics of #9 are: Humanitarian, giving nature, selflessness, obligations, creative expression.
The expression or destiny for #9:
The expression that you exhibit is represented bythe number 9. Your talents center in humanistic interests and approaches. You like to help others as you were intended to be the 'big brother or big sister' type. You operate best when you follow your feelings and sense of compassion, and allow yourself to be sensitive to the needs of others. You work well with people, and have the potential to inspire. This suggests that you could successfully teach or counsel. Creative ability, imagination and artistic talent (often latent) of the highest order are present in this expression. It's possible that you're not using or developing all of these capabilities at this time. Some of your talents may have been used at an earlier time in your life, and some may still be latent. Be aware of your capabilities, so that you can make use of them at appropriate times.
If you are able to achieve the potential of your natural expression in this life, you are capable of much human understanding and have a lot to give to others. Your personal ambitions are likely to be maintained in a very positive perspective, never losing sight of an interest in people, and a sympathetic, tolerant, broad-minded and compassionate point of view. You are quite idealistic, and disappointed at the lack of perfection in the world. You have a strong awareness of your own feeling as well as those of others. Friendships, affection, and love are extremely important.
Undeveloped or ignored, the negative side of the 9 expression can be very selfish and self-centered. If you do not actively involve yourself with work that benefits others, you may tend to express just the opposite characteristics. It is your role to be very involved with other people and their needs, but it may be difficult for you achieve this role. Aloofness, lack of involvement, and a lack of sensitivity mark the low road of this expression.
Your Soul Urge number is: 3
A Soul Urge number of 3 means:
With the Soul Urge number 3 your desire in life is personal expression, and generally enjoying life to its fullest. You want to participate in an active social life and enjoy a large circle of friends. You want to be in the limelight, expressing your artistic or intellectual talents. Word skills may be your thing; speaking, writing, acting, singing. In a positive sense, the 3 energy is friendly, outgoing and always very social.
You have a decidedly upbeat attitude that is rarely discouraged; a good mental and emotional balance.
The 3 Soul Urge gives intuitive insight, thus, very high creative and inspirational tendencies. The truly outstanding trait shown by the 3 Soul Urge is that of self-expression, regardless of the field of endeavor.
On the negative side, you may at times become too easygoing and too optimistic, tending to scatter forces and accomplish very little. Often, the excessive 3 energy produces non-stop talkers. Everyone has faults, but the 3 soul urge doesn't appreciate having these pointed out.
Your Inner Dream number is: 6
An Inner Dream number of 6 means:
You dream of guiding and fostering the perfect family in the perfect home. You crave the devotion from offspring and a loving spouse. You picture yourself in the center of a successful domestic unit.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I don't know what I'm writing yet.
It changed completely when I added my middle initial (which I use on signatures on such). The Soul Urge stuff, however, is right on!! The inner self? So off!!
You entered: Debra Roby
There are 9 letters in your name.
Those 9 letters total to 45
There are 3 vowels and 6 consonants in your name.
Your number is: 9
The characteristics of #9 are: Humanitarian, giving nature, selflessness, obligations, creative expression.
The expression or destiny for #9:
The expression that you exhibit is represented bythe number 9. Your talents center in humanistic interests and approaches. You like to help others as you were intended to be the 'big brother or big sister' type. You operate best when you follow your feelings and sense of compassion, and allow yourself to be sensitive to the needs of others. You work well with people, and have the potential to inspire. This suggests that you could successfully teach or counsel. Creative ability, imagination and artistic talent (often latent) of the highest order are present in this expression. It's possible that you're not using or developing all of these capabilities at this time. Some of your talents may have been used at an earlier time in your life, and some may still be latent. Be aware of your capabilities, so that you can make use of them at appropriate times.
If you are able to achieve the potential of your natural expression in this life, you are capable of much human understanding and have a lot to give to others. Your personal ambitions are likely to be maintained in a very positive perspective, never losing sight of an interest in people, and a sympathetic, tolerant, broad-minded and compassionate point of view. You are quite idealistic, and disappointed at the lack of perfection in the world. You have a strong awareness of your own feeling as well as those of others. Friendships, affection, and love are extremely important.
Undeveloped or ignored, the negative side of the 9 expression can be very selfish and self-centered. If you do not actively involve yourself with work that benefits others, you may tend to express just the opposite characteristics. It is your role to be very involved with other people and their needs, but it may be difficult for you achieve this role. Aloofness, lack of involvement, and a lack of sensitivity mark the low road of this expression.
Your Soul Urge number is: 3
A Soul Urge number of 3 means:
With the Soul Urge number 3 your desire in life is personal expression, and generally enjoying life to its fullest. You want to participate in an active social life and enjoy a large circle of friends. You want to be in the limelight, expressing your artistic or intellectual talents. Word skills may be your thing; speaking, writing, acting, singing. In a positive sense, the 3 energy is friendly, outgoing and always very social.
You have a decidedly upbeat attitude that is rarely discouraged; a good mental and emotional balance.
The 3 Soul Urge gives intuitive insight, thus, very high creative and inspirational tendencies. The truly outstanding trait shown by the 3 Soul Urge is that of self-expression, regardless of the field of endeavor.
On the negative side, you may at times become too easygoing and too optimistic, tending to scatter forces and accomplish very little. Often, the excessive 3 energy produces non-stop talkers. Everyone has faults, but the 3 soul urge doesn't appreciate having these pointed out.
Your Inner Dream number is: 6
An Inner Dream number of 6 means:
You dream of guiding and fostering the perfect family in the perfect home. You crave the devotion from offspring and a loving spouse. You picture yourself in the center of a successful domestic unit.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I don't know what I'm writing yet.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
It's hot..
It's Thursday and it's hot. I've been trying all week to get some stuff organized for our guild "garage sale" tonight, but much of it isn't going to happen. I still have drawers to go through, fabric to cut/organize as fat quarters, half yard pieces, etc. And everything to price. Plus some spare cash to grab.
Nope. Not going to happen. Ennui has set it and I'm not shaking it off. Not piecing, not quilting, not stitching, not knitting. I'm not.
I'll relist the books I have on Amazon and see which ones sell this time. The fabric? My other guild has a "little shop" before and after each meeting. I can give them the fabric and see what sells there. (you bring it, they sell it and keep the cash, if it doesn't sell, you take it home). Not any money for me.. but I think getting the uninspirational stuff out of my presence is worthwhile.
So what have I done today? Did a couple hours of housework (boring), discharged a couple shirts and prepped some more for dyeing and over dyeing.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I wrote about the Elimination show of RockStar.
Nope. Not going to happen. Ennui has set it and I'm not shaking it off. Not piecing, not quilting, not stitching, not knitting. I'm not.
I'll relist the books I have on Amazon and see which ones sell this time. The fabric? My other guild has a "little shop" before and after each meeting. I can give them the fabric and see what sells there. (you bring it, they sell it and keep the cash, if it doesn't sell, you take it home). Not any money for me.. but I think getting the uninspirational stuff out of my presence is worthwhile.
So what have I done today? Did a couple hours of housework (boring), discharged a couple shirts and prepped some more for dyeing and over dyeing.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I wrote about the Elimination show of RockStar.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Peeking at the Process
Ya'll know I write about art/craft and gardening for BlogHer. Today I shared a little bit of the process in my post. And I decided I'd share it here, too.
I subscribe to BlogLines.. and most of my subscription list is in the left hand column. However, when you subscribe (if ya don't know..) you get "subscription" webpage that shows not only all the blogs, but all the ones that are recently updated. You can even read the blogposts on that page. A couple times a day I check through the blogs (maybe in one or two categories) then move on.
At least a couple times a week, I'll be reading through my feeds and something will make me say: COOL!! It might be a turn of phrase in a post, a photo or an insightful comment. I instantly jot a little note in Performancing; if I'm still thinking "cool" the next day or two, and I think it will play to a slightly wider audience, I publish it there. That's my gut editorial policy: make me go "Cool!" and you're in. Admittedly, most of my cools don't get published; it's that wider audience that usually does them in.
This week, I thought I'd pick one category and just keep track of the cool things I found during the week and share the process:
Topic: Quilting
Statistics: 327 posts read in category.
Ideas organized for future posts ("crossing over crafts"/ snarky-craft/ challenges/ group blogs/is craft uncool): 2.
Cool Things:
ArtFabrik's Laura showed a gorgeous silk quilt.
Brenda Smith wrote about an interesting challenge: Refabricating Difference which is open to Australian artists.
Deb Lacativa posted some real fiber stuff!!
My gal Gerrie posted photos of her newest Tropical Fish quilt.
Cramzy posted a fabric journal to carry ATCs for trading.
Mrs. Mel explains why Channeling Nancy Crow is OK while her sister guest-blogged that her sister is a genius.
Sharon B. is continuing with her 100 days/100 stitches, has added a step challenge and organized her workspace. (this last... color me green...)
Elle, the Sew Chick, played tourist in her hometown.. and visited the Textile Museum in DC.
Finally, Sarah wrote an indepth review of Interaction of Color.
Edited from the post at BlogHer
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where yesterday I posted my Meez-portrait.
I subscribe to BlogLines.. and most of my subscription list is in the left hand column. However, when you subscribe (if ya don't know..) you get "subscription" webpage that shows not only all the blogs, but all the ones that are recently updated. You can even read the blogposts on that page. A couple times a day I check through the blogs (maybe in one or two categories) then move on.
At least a couple times a week, I'll be reading through my feeds and something will make me say: COOL!! It might be a turn of phrase in a post, a photo or an insightful comment. I instantly jot a little note in Performancing; if I'm still thinking "cool" the next day or two, and I think it will play to a slightly wider audience, I publish it there. That's my gut editorial policy: make me go "Cool!" and you're in. Admittedly, most of my cools don't get published; it's that wider audience that usually does them in.
This week, I thought I'd pick one category and just keep track of the cool things I found during the week and share the process:
Topic: Quilting
Statistics: 327 posts read in category.
Ideas organized for future posts ("crossing over crafts"/ snarky-craft/ challenges/ group blogs/is craft uncool): 2.
Cool Things:
ArtFabrik's Laura showed a gorgeous silk quilt.
Brenda Smith wrote about an interesting challenge: Refabricating Difference which is open to Australian artists.
Deb Lacativa posted some real fiber stuff!!
My gal Gerrie posted photos of her newest Tropical Fish quilt.
Cramzy posted a fabric journal to carry ATCs for trading.
Mrs. Mel explains why Channeling Nancy Crow is OK while her sister guest-blogged that her sister is a genius.
Sharon B. is continuing with her 100 days/100 stitches, has added a step challenge and organized her workspace. (this last... color me green...)
Elle, the Sew Chick, played tourist in her hometown.. and visited the Textile Museum in DC.
Finally, Sarah wrote an indepth review of Interaction of Color.
Edited from the post at BlogHer
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where yesterday I posted my Meez-portrait.
Tags:
Monday, July 17, 2006
From Pam...
Here's a hint.. just keep hitting the "submit" button until you find a crayon color you like.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
where I take you on a tour of my too-green garden. (too green, as in not ripe).
| You are |
 |
Here's a hint.. just keep hitting the "submit" button until you find a crayon color you like.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
where I take you on a tour of my too-green garden. (too green, as in not ripe).
Just BlogMe Baby!!
Ok, so BlogHer is in 12 days. And the story goes that Mocha Momma thinks we should all get to know a little bit about each other before we get there. That's my Reader's Digest version of the short story version that appeared on Friday.So, at Lisa's suggestion, I am including a part of me... my right eye. Why? So the world can see my completely wimpy eyebrows and maybe someone will take pity on me and show me how to fix them!! Oh.. and the roots? Don't look for them next week... they will be disguised as dark ash blonde.
I am feeling a little like real life in this... so far most the interviewers/interviewees are mommybloggers. And me? Well I have 2 dogs.. does that count? So even in this "inclusive" activity I am an outsider. Sigh. Welcome to my life...
Ok, so I pour myself a fresh cuppa coffee, stare myself warmly but intently in the eye and ask...
When did I start blogging and why? I set up my blog in November, 04, because someone on one of my mailing lists said they would be the new hot thing... a step up from usenet, groups and mailing lists. I wrote the typical 3 posts, then let it drop until someone set up a blogring for all us art quilters. Suddenly there were people reading and writing and into what I liked. Over time, I "sampled" from other people's blogrolls, expanding my reading list, and finding new blog friends. When I have time, I still sample... and look forward to the surprises.
2. Who do I read? Gerrie, Rayna, Pam, Deb, Deb, Deb (there is some name loyalty..) I check out for her junkdrawer posts, though I read less when she's doing all her blog challenge stuff, Melody. I miss Gabrielle...
3. How do you feel about meeting bloggers in real life? Are you nervous? Will you have great expectations? What do you home to take away from the BlogHer experience?
I've met several bloggers in real life and truly enjoyed the experience. I fear that I will never keep straight names/faces and blogs, and will spend the next year trying to organize all this. Nervous? more excited, but my introvert personality means a little nervous. Expectations? I expect to be completely overwhelmed and lost in the crowd. I hope to take home a clearer idea of what I want to do going forward in my blogs.
4. Are you and your blogging persona the same person? Completely. I have never been able to create a persona other the one I wake up with every morning. Even when I played D&D!! I am completely transparent in my blog. Or I'm lying to myself...
5. How do you party? I will the one on the edge of the room, or sitting outside in the hall looking for a little bit of quiet and calm. Privately, I wish I were the life of the party.. but I'm not.
6. What shoes will you be wearing? Shoes? I live in Keen sandals. Though I'll probably pack those wasabi keds that were my avatar for a while.
Who ya gonna tag and how will you decide? Ok, I'm scrolling through the blogroll for those attendees who may be overlooked...I'm tagging Jill who writes about her dog Honey, Pam (if you aren't reading Beancounters.. why the hell not??), Elizabeth, Leslie, Erica, Karl because he responded to a post of mine on BlogHer.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Tags:
Friday, July 14, 2006
Imagine..
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Project Runway.. Episode One
Yeah, I'm taking a break from blogging, but not from watching TV this week. So a wrap up of Project Runway is still OK. I'm not going to get all the names down for a couple episodes, but I'll give it a try. This is live blogged, but I'm promising this will continue all season.
They did a nice job of introducing the designers at the beginning. I already don't like Malan(?) so he'll be around for a long while. And Keith? looks like Jude Law... Stacy is a totally waste of thread.
First challenge: Design from the apartment. Interesting challenge. Seeing the participants decend like vultures on thier living spaces was amusing, but I would rather see something like the 5 yards of muslin challenge again. Sometime, you just don't have to work that hard.
Time: they gave them an additional hour of worktime (till 1 am instead of midnight). I wonder if this will be for the season or only for this episode?
Jeez, another weekly product placement: beyond the hair and makeup stuff, we now have "the accessory wall"!! And, there will be a lot more sponsors covering challenges this time.
The designs:
1. Laura, elegant. Looks just like her. (Can she design for someone with a different aesthetic?)
2. Bradley, interesting and innovative
3. Keith, played it too safe, IMO
4. Angela the flowers?? how strange.
5. Kayne: gorgeous and innovative. but the thing on the back??
6. Malan: stylish
7. Bonnie: weird picnic outfit, but not bad enough to be in the bottom 3.
8. Katherine: cool
9. Michael: very nice
10. Vincent: strange but not bad
11. Alison: styling but too short
12. Stacey: poorly fitting. And she can't sew!!
13. Robert: nice.. not too much. I loved the red on the back.
14. Uli : not bad, but what's with the yellow plastic beads?
15. Jeffrey: lots of nice layers but less is often more. He should have done either the dress or the coat but not both.
Stacy so deserved to be the first designer to hear "auf weidersehen".
So what do you think will be the "rule breaking" incident that makes Tim ask someone leave?
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I blogged the elimination show for RockStar.
They did a nice job of introducing the designers at the beginning. I already don't like Malan(?) so he'll be around for a long while. And Keith? looks like Jude Law... Stacy is a totally waste of thread.
First challenge: Design from the apartment. Interesting challenge. Seeing the participants decend like vultures on thier living spaces was amusing, but I would rather see something like the 5 yards of muslin challenge again. Sometime, you just don't have to work that hard.
Time: they gave them an additional hour of worktime (till 1 am instead of midnight). I wonder if this will be for the season or only for this episode?
Jeez, another weekly product placement: beyond the hair and makeup stuff, we now have "the accessory wall"!! And, there will be a lot more sponsors covering challenges this time.
The designs:
1. Laura, elegant. Looks just like her. (Can she design for someone with a different aesthetic?)
2. Bradley, interesting and innovative
3. Keith, played it too safe, IMO
4. Angela the flowers?? how strange.
5. Kayne: gorgeous and innovative. but the thing on the back??
6. Malan: stylish
7. Bonnie: weird picnic outfit, but not bad enough to be in the bottom 3.
8. Katherine: cool
9. Michael: very nice
10. Vincent: strange but not bad
11. Alison: styling but too short
12. Stacey: poorly fitting. And she can't sew!!
13. Robert: nice.. not too much. I loved the red on the back.
14. Uli : not bad, but what's with the yellow plastic beads?
15. Jeffrey: lots of nice layers but less is often more. He should have done either the dress or the coat but not both.
Stacy so deserved to be the first designer to hear "auf weidersehen".
So what do you think will be the "rule breaking" incident that makes Tim ask someone leave?
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I blogged the elimination show for RockStar.
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Monday, July 10, 2006
Taking about a week off.
Just to let you know. I'm taking about a week off from blogging to actually live some life. Lots of little things that need to be done, pulling my attention away from here.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
where I'm saying the same thing.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
where I'm saying the same thing.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
When it's hot.. we model, don't we?
Damn, it's gonna be hot today..(upper 90s), so I just may hole up in my studio sorting out things for our guild's "yard sale" in 2 weeks. Or working on this top I'm sewing.
Found from fellow Woolfcamper Kris Robinson:
All I've got to say is, I'm laughing so hard... excuse me while I change into dry underwear!
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Found from fellow Woolfcamper Kris Robinson:
All I've got to say is, I'm laughing so hard... excuse me while I change into dry underwear!
| You Are Most Like Daniela Pestova |
 Gorgeous and chameleon-like |
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Ok... My first (of the year) RockStar roundup
I tivo'd the show, so I'm watching it after it broadcast, and there aren't any stinkers so far. Yeah, I like this as much as last summer's edition. Probably helps that I didn't know a lot about INXS last year.. and with a "newly created" band this year, there isn't really that whole "collection" to deal with.
Ok, Storm reminded me a lot of Deana from last season. Liked her a lot. There is a strong group of potential competitors and a big group of "seat warmers."
Winners:
Patrice
Storm
Ryan
Toby
Magni
Josh
Dana
Jill
Phil
It's interesting listening to the subtext of the critiques. I wonder how many really heard the lines: interact with the band and the audience.. and "it's critical what song you choose..."
After this week, I'll be reviewing RockStar at deb's distractions, so I can save my tv review talk here for Project Runway.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Ok, Storm reminded me a lot of Deana from last season. Liked her a lot. There is a strong group of potential competitors and a big group of "seat warmers."
Winners:
Patrice
Storm
Ryan
Toby
Magni
Josh
Dana
Jill
Phil
It's interesting listening to the subtext of the critiques. I wonder how many really heard the lines: interact with the band and the audience.. and "it's critical what song you choose..."
After this week, I'll be reviewing RockStar at deb's distractions, so I can save my tv review talk here for Project Runway.
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
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Who Needs PhotoShop With a Picture Like This?
I just uploaded this photos from my camera... and let me tell you.. this one is completely unedited. I normally tweak the color.. maybe crop a little.. but this one was (IMO) perfect as is!!Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
where today I'm going to be sharing some incredible yard art photos...
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
A Flowery Quiz...
Found at This Garden Is Illegal: What Flower Are You?
"When your friends think smile, they think of you. There is not a day that goes by that you can't find something good about the world and your fellow human."
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
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"When your friends think smile, they think of you. There is not a day that goes by that you can't find something good about the world and your fellow human."
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Monday, July 03, 2006
One goal for this week.
I've been a very bad refashionista... not accomplishing much last month. So I'm trying again, by stating a specific goal for each week. Let's see if this gives me the focus I need to accomplish something.Anyway, one of my goals when I signed up for this was to actually make some of the clothing for which I've already purchased fabric. Among this stash are two lengths of gorgeous border prints silk that I purchased in Singapore (4 years ago?? longer??). Last year (year before?) I paid for a workshop with a guild member who runs classes on sewing clothing. I brought in the simplicity pattern, and we fitted the pattern to me... adjusting for my total lack of shoulders and D cup bust. But I haven't taken the muslin created in that class and actually sewn anything with it.
This week I will. I needed dogfood this morning, and JoAnne's is next door. I decided to take on my fear of cutting (ruining) my fine imported stuff, by working out the pattern with local cheaper fabric. The pattern is sitting with my find of the day. Two yards of this (unfortunately polyester.. but similar weight and slipperiness to the silk) nice brown/red/black print for...wait for it...
$3.50. Total. (from the marked down shelf where everything is an additional 66% off for the holiday!)
I could completely screw up the construction and not mind the loss!
So this week I will cut and construct a top (view A: clean neckline, short sleeves, no frills) from this.
Crossposted at Wardrobe Refashionistas
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Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
Sunday, July 02, 2006
A small revelation
I was sorting through my fabrics the other day, and I had a bit of a revelation. Most of my painted and dyed fabrics are fairly mottled and muddy.. either by accident or by choice. It worked for what I was interested in the last couple years. But it's ... well... muddy. And a bit dull.
My commercial fabrics are multi-colored theme kind of fabrics... maybe inspiration fabrics but none that play well together except the batiks. And being batiks??... kind of muddy.
I need some clear color fabrics!! I gots to buy, paint and dye some with texture!
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where today I share my recipe for Good Housewife Lemon Bars.
My commercial fabrics are multi-colored theme kind of fabrics... maybe inspiration fabrics but none that play well together except the batiks. And being batiks??... kind of muddy.
I need some clear color fabrics!! I gots to buy, paint and dye some with texture!
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where today I share my recipe for Good Housewife Lemon Bars.
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