ThisNext:: RedPanda

Ok, this is awesome! I'm a sucker for wire-wrapping, right? But this is chainmaille wrapped. Cabochons, (the fancy name for the big focal stone seen here) are mesmerizingly pretty. I like to touch them when I go to the beads store though I have little clue to work with them. This is a beautiful idea, using eudialyte, a stone I hadn't heard of until I saw this piece. Love it!

From tweetpal and Etsy friend, redpanda.

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WB- People!

What have I been up to? Why, crafting on my secret project of course. I made 5 little people out of paper, using a technique called quilling.

The first one took most of the day, the other four I finished the day after. I got the basic idea from a book, but I tweaked that and made up my own styles and patterns from there. Once I'd figured out the process, I was a machine. Usually I have to warm up to my creations. These I loved instantly upon completion. I did take a group shot.

Also, my brothers are gone for most of the week. Our church has a youth retreat every year. This year they both went. I realized, while taking out the trash which is normally Bro1's chore, that we'll soon be on our own. We'll have to do for ourselves the things that are shared among the three of us. Felt I should thank them more. (Our trash can is a green mammoth.) Yes, I got all sentimental and sappy. (sigh) But I haven't been an only child for 20+ years. It's weird. We're kinda dull, the parents and I. Can't help but think that when I'm away, I'm not missed as much as they are...they're so loud.

Post Picture: The coolest of the people I made. Wasn't sure if I should make 4 or 5. One of my tweet pals said 5 and instantly this idea came to mind. I might have a crush on him. I think it's the arms.

Blurble 7.16

I'm really enjoying this summer weather. It's not very hot so the humidity is bearable. When it's not raining (and it's done lots of that) it's very pretty.

Still working on my secret project. Hands are very covered in glue. I thought I could finish constructing the various pieces in one week...last week. I also thought that I could strip the paint and wallpaper in my room in a month. That ended up taking about 8 months. Lots of paint and wallpaper. I'm not a good estimator of how long it will take to get things done. I'm hoping this won't take that long. I hope to have construction down this week. Hoping.

Passed 10k tweets on Twitter. Not sure what that means...besides that I tweet a lot. You can follow me if you would like.

Post Picture: A picture from my trip to Elizabeth Park.

ThisNext:: romiceramics

These are fantastic. I have mad love for ceramic/porcelain/clay artists. And paper is a favorite material of mine for crafting. These are a smooth blending of the two in this rocking set of vases.

From romi ceramics

As always, if you want to follow my picks between Tuesdays you can check them out here or subscribe.

WB- Busy

This weekend was fun, a nice little diversion that I did need. Perhaps I enjoyed myself too much, getting back into working on projects seems tougher today.

On Friday, bro1 got fired. That's wasn't fun, but it wasn't really a surprise. It wasn't his fault, not in our biased estimation...or in that of his peer-level coworkers. It was a retail tragedy. But to celebrate our common joblessness, we had lunch together at this little diner down the street. Little diners are such culinary gems. Scrumptious food on the cheap.

Then we went to the movies. We never go to the movies, I think the last thing I saw in a theater was Evening. (gag) So this was a big deal to us- me, the bros and the dadperson.

Saturday I rode my bike around town. For exercise. (holla!) I've been trying to be more active. My clothes were getting tight. I've been at it a week and have noticed a difference in how I feel. Endorphins...what a rush!

I worked on my project, generated lots of scraps. I think I've saved every scrap of acid-free cardstock from every project I've done since I was about 15. All in a ziploc bag. Amazing.

Sunday was church. Then fireworks at a nearby town's annual celebration. And I forgot my camera. Because I'm that awesome. I think this little girl next to us fell asleep in her father's arms. I want that skill. We were right under the display! Fireworks are cool.

Hope this doesn't sound entirely like a 12-year-old's journal. Weekends are generally lazy as all get out. This one was more memorable.

Now...back to work.

Post Picture: One of my secret project photos. I have two pieces done. One halfway, another about 1/4. I think I might need to make some people. Not sure, yet. And a plane...maybe I need a plane.