Waiting for a Turkey

Ahoy, Sourdough!

I recently requested (and received) a Sourdough Starter from my local Freecycle group.

This week, I have done some research and started using the sourdough starter. I have made: Pizza Crust, Pancakes, Banana/Applesauce Bread, Mannaeesh (think Pita-ish), and now English Muffins. I realize that one of the initial reasons I wanted a Starter was to make English Muffins. Still, they seemed a little scary and mysterious. Last night I started them (the dough has to sit for 12-16 hours) and tonight I cooked them.


How can a little pile of bread make me feel so happy!?

They look (and taste) great! I'll let you know how they taste tomorrow for breakfast! :D

Gotta Love It

What do you think of my new dress? How about the shoes?

Skaddy-wompus photo courtesy of Jack. ;)

The shoes I bought about 3 weeks ago, but the dress, the dress I found today, on the asphalt, discarded behind the thrift store. I picked it up (because it was black fabric) and saw it was a dress, then looked at the size, and lo-and-behold, it was my exact size. I feel like I must pause and let you know I was making a donation after cleaning the garage today... I was NOT just digging through donations at the thrift store. This was just lying there on the ground to be pitched. Upon closer inspection, I can see that the ONLY thing wrong with this dress is that it needs be laundered to remove the dirt.

Whoo-hoo! A nice dress just in time for party season, for FREE!!! ;)

Let's Get to the Point

Yesterday morning, while volunteering at Frank's school, and as therapy from an emotional morning, I took it upon myself to sharpen pencils until a blister formed on my finger. I sharpened pencils for an entire hour!

And. I took pictures of them.

Frank's teacher walked by and said "I'm glad to see you've found a project." I think she thought I was nuts.


After creating the above montage, Tom also said I was nuts.

So, what do you think? Am I out-of-my-mind or just in-tune (to take the moment for productive therapy) and artistic, to see the colors and be able to create something intriguing to look at?

No matter where you deem my mental state to lie, I think the above image needs a catchy and fun title. What are your suggestions?

Coverstitching and Serging

I just spent (dare I admit it) over 2.5 hours remembering how to switch my serger from a regular Serge stitch to a Coverstitch. Previously, I've only coverstitched in classes and that was well over three years hence. While I still have the manual, it's a little tough when for each of the 13 steps, you have to try to figure out which switch/cover/thing they are telling you to move.

When I finally got it working, I wasn't *thrilled* with the results, but was glad to get the hem done. Then, I thought it would be oh-so-simple to return my serger to it's former serging state. Sadly, after five re-threadings, I sent my friend home (without her dresses sleeves finished) and told her I'd keep working on it. :P

The good news here is that I cleared off (most) of my sewing room surfaces AND got my hands on fabric again. I always love the hum of a machine with the feel of fibers slipping through my fingers... and once I get a taste of it, I remember how therapeutic it is for me and find myself returning to the fabric and machines.

Watercolor & Transportation

Just about done with that watercolor... I finally choose to paint the quilt with color-scheme number 2, which was my 2nd choice, but many of your 1st choice.


All that's left is to ink it... and decide if it will have a face (like my trademark smiley) or a blank face, like Suzy Toronto's style.

What do you think, blank face or smiley face?

[Does anyone else get nervous at this point in a project? When it comes to inking it and finishing it off?]

In other news, with my prospective internship, I needed a vehicle to drive for 5 weeks, and my Geology Professor today offered to let me borrow his extra car. "Whoo-hoo!" for blessings coming from unexpected sources!!! :D

Yum!

While running around on Halloween taking photos, I came across this...


...and, no. I didn't eat one. Actually, I was so busy gathering possible photos for the paper that I didn't even *think* to eat one! <=-o

I love the color and forms on this photo... it's actually my desktop background these days. ;)

Adobe Photoshop Skills - Photomerge & Collage

Today I learned how to create a panoramic image (using Photomerge). This image was made (very easily) using 11 images.


I thought this would lend itself to a web banner. My cousin wants to create a blog, so I threw some text on it that might suit her.


I also made a true "collage", though I realize I've been picking up the skills used in this all semester.


Although Jack wanted to see more of himself, so I made another version...


What do you think? Which do you like?

I loved making both sets!

Photojournalism - FRONT PAGE

Today one of my photos made it on the front page, above fold, in color, with credits! YEAH!!!

I woke Tom and Frank up screaming (with joy) and jumping up and down.

The photo is of two siblings casting their ballots at yesterday's election... it's certainly not the artistic or portraiture style I've done in the past, but it's what the newspaper editor wants/needs.


In July, I set the following Photojournalism Goals:

1. Get published in the local paper(s).
2. Get on the front page of the paper.
3. Participate in training at the paper.
4. Get an assignment from the paper (to go photograph a certain event).
5. Have written articles published (with or without photos).
6. Get paid.

As of today, I have accomplished the first three... in the past seven weeks, fourteen photos have been published... that's two per week, which I think is pretty darn great!!!