What I've been working on...

AKA "no, I'm not being a lazy slob about things."

Well, maybe a little. I've got to scan a lot of things in soon.

My trip...

But wait! There's more! So much more, but I'll just be posting the faves:

Not the most flattering picture, but hey! That's my last name! Hooray for distant cousins!

 

I really want to start a Park Hill pen-pal club. We could PM each other our addresses, and mail each other cool stuff we've made. along with letters.

More givaway love!

I really love this blog, so if you're not interested in the givaway, you should really check her blog out! Click the image to visit!

I posted the link on Facebook and on my Twitter. So, hm...3 entries? That's a pretty good chance to win, I hope!

(Also, do you guys think I should make a permanent post for this? Maybe a thing in the sidebar? I really do want to inform people about great givaways, and I don't want you guys to miss out! And when it's getting me an extra entry, why not?)

A small read.

"My youngest son is seven years old and works a skateboard better than most teens. He also enjoys hunting and guns, playing baseball… and reading.

He went this entire season of baseball without striking out and has just finished an autobiography by a World War II vet. We don’t know which is more pronounced: his athletic side or his brainy side, but we enjoy them both.

His eleven year old brother, on the other hand, is easier to peg. He is not a sports fan and wears the title of: Nerd, with pride. Not long ago, I heard the following conversation:

Big brother: (pushing his glasses further atop his nose as he pauses in front of the football game on TV)

Running after a ball… I don’t get it and hopefully never will.

Lil brother: (eyes never leaving the game on TV)

I’d love to be a professional sports guy.

Big brother: (shaking head left to right and placing a condescending hand on his brother’s shoulder)

Just what the world needs, another unproductive citizen.

As a former college ball player, It took all their father had not to comment.

We’re your basic Southern family except we are not religious and we live down the street from a lesbian relative.

Cousin Jennifer is a red-headed photographer that loves dogs and all things girly. She also loves her long-time girlfriend, Judy. Judy is a gorgeous brunette who serves in the United States Army.

They are also a fabulous babysitting duo and my children request them anytime their father and I are going for an evening on the town. We have the same rules for them that we would have for a straight babysitting couple:

Just keep the kids safe and no lovey dovey adult stuff in front of them.

It works out very well. They play non-stop games and teach them interesting things. They are obviously crazy about each other and it gives off a very positive energy that my children soak in and release to those around them.

So, even at 7, he understands “Gay.” But until recently, we’ve never had to explain the issue of legality.

Yesterday, I walked into the living room to see him surrounded by all the paper guns he had been making. I saw the finished Civil War book at his feet. He was sitting Indian style in front of his brother who was gobbling down pancakes.

He glanced over at his older brother and then back at me. Something was on his mind. Suddenly, he blurted out:

Mommy, when will Judy break up with Jennifer?

I don’t think they plan on breaking up, I replied.

When they do, will she stop being my cousin?

Judy loves you very much, Honey.

I scooped him up to snuggle with him in my lap. I just had to nuzzle that sweet neck while he was still small.

They won’t break up, I assured. Why the sudden worry?

His brother chimed in:

Well, I explained to him that gay marriages aren’t allowed, here.

I see, I sighed.

I just rocked this little ball of confusion and stared off into space until I felt his warm tear reach my arm. When I realized he was crying, my chest tightened and threatened to burst open.

When his brother heard his little whimper he walked over and did his usually placing of “hand on shoulder”, but instead of the expected snark he gently asked:

Why are you crying?

His brother (lifting one little eye from under my arm) whispered:

They made love illegal.

To which his big, brainy brother replied:

Love isn’t bad… that law is."

I'm just going to leave this here. A little thought-provoking reading never hurt, you know.

:)

I'm back!

Hey everyone!

I finally return. 

Also, you hear about this giveaway? Thought you oughta know: http://chouzuru.blogspot.com/2010/06/535-followers-pack-your-bags-giveaway.html

And if you repost that link on you blog or Twitter, just like magic, you'll get some extra entries! Why not try?

You know, I'd love to do one of them myself if I got more reader/followers, but it's cool.

Actually, I'm really excited to get back to working on artwork, blogging, and such. I have to write a letter to Thomas (snail mail!I asked on mah Facebook status; he was the only one who wanted one from me, it seems.) and refine my AP pieces. Nothin' like being busy, right?

Anyway, I'll be more active here from now on. Before, I was on vacation where there was no internet...or even time, to blog on here. :)

Bye guys!

A LEGO STORE. A JAPANESE STORE. A SANRIO STORE. Oh my god.

Testing to see if this Mobile Blogging works!

Some fun project ideas!

So, remember when I said I've been looking at Japanese magazines like crazy? Maybe I didn't mention that before, but I am. One of the things I've noticed is how a lot of the crafts from more "normal" magazines can easily be love and carried over to work well with lolita lifestyle and culture aesthetics. Because Japan knows cute. They know cute well. And they have indeed perfected it. That being said, they've also capture my heart, personally, with the elegance in some of the projects I've seen. If only I could read the instructions! D: However, I'm pretty happy with the pictures. One magazine in particular, a painting magazine called Paint Craft, has really stood out to me. Now, it's not just for regular painting. As you can see in the picture, the painting is done to add flair to normal and possibly boring objects. What's great about the projects featured is the fact that they can be done cheaply (however not easily, unless you're a painting pro!). The objects needed are simple ones, whose design is more function of fashion, and to adorn it with beautiful paintings...well, you've got yourself a functional, fashionable, and one-of-a-kind show off piece. It's really great, and it reminds me why I love making and customizing my own stuff so much. 

Now, for those who are wondering how they can make these into a more...loliable...sort, here's what I recommend:

• Try and add lace, either literally or by painting it on there. Maybe even paint the lace with an interesting color, if you are indeed painting it. Try gold, silver, or other pearlescent colors to make the lace stand out. 
• Here's a sorta obvious one-Bows! There are many ways to paint/draw bows, simple or otherwise. They can be any color or pattern, and they look super cute. 
• Try thinking about what you're painting on. If it's, say, a watering can, flowers are ideal. However you can take this idea even further by painting the flowers or plants you'll be watering with that can. Make it truly yours!
• Nothing beats a good label of who owns what. And if you're painting it, there's a pretty good chance you own it! Try painting your name on there and try to make it look good. Think about the font, color, and overall design of it, and maybe think about adding some small little painted flowers or hearts next to it. Think of motifs that describe you!
• If you're not the best painter in the world, you might want to try this: Paint a design such as polka dots, stripes, or zigzags to add design without the need for painting talent. Great to do even if you are a good painter!

Well, that's all I can think of, and bedtime sadly approaches. Until next time, I hope these ideas are helpful, and you get inspired to do a whole new form of lolifying. Even if you're not much into lolita, these are still fun to do! 

I received the magazine scans here.

Sorry for the delay!

I'm sorry I've been gone for so long! I've just been very busy. Weekends always seem to catch me off guard. I haven't been slacking on my artwork, though, that's for sure! 

I just got some really neat new supplies, mostly Bristol board, which I love. I got so many sizes of it...

I also got a small watercolor pad and some amazing watercolor pencils, which are really fun and convenient to use, once I got used to them. I just used them on a piece that I plan  on posting soon!Probably on the other blog, but maybe on here, too. 

In other news, I'm getting my computer ready for the big ol' trip me and my parents make every year to visit family down in Georgia. Sadly, there is no internet there...I'm not really sure how I'm gonna make it. xD Really, it's such a small town...everyone knows each other!

I've been downloading Japanese magazine scans right and left, loading up Adventure Time episodes, and of course, uploading music. I probably won't even need all this stuff, but hey, I overprepare. 

I'm hoping I get a lot of art done on this trip, because it's nice going to a quiet place likee this for a change of scenery, and time to clear my head. I really hope I don't get lazy and forget about everything, though. 

Well, I guess that's all I have to say about that. See ya!

Updated the art blog!

http://detailedcandy.blogspot.com/

It's been updated!


Anyone wanna guess the reference the title of the post is making?