The day has come! So far it's been a great day. My sister started things right by watching "Nightmare Before Christmas!" I'm currently baking up some of Emeril's Cheese Eyeballs. They are so tasty! Kids are still trick-or-treating in my neighborhood. Halloween baked treats will be coming up soon!
The number one reason that Halloween is the happiest season of all? FREE CANDY!!!
Side note: I find it quite appropriate that Halloween would be the day the I write my 100th post! Congratulations to me!
Are you ready?
Halloween is now hours away! (Okay, so really it's an hour away, but clocks will be set back...) Are you ready? Tonight has been filled with last minute preparations. My costume is ready. Family costumes are almost ready. We all painted small pumpkins, and the big pumpkins will be carved tomorrow. We've decided that one will have a Jack Skellington face. It should be one of the best we've ever done.
The last thing that we did tonight was to work on luminaries to place outside tomorrow night. Last month's Ready Made Magazine showed how to make them with some great ideas. My sister especially liked the one that said "I (heart) Zombies." My mom said that she didn't mind having them in front of the house, so we started making them. Let me just say, it is NOT EASY cutting those letters out of a lunch bag with an exacto knife! The magazine didn't point out that you would have to be crazy to actually make a bunch of these. With 3 of us working on them, we came out with 4 luminaries. Woo hoo!
Ahh well, it will be a good halloween anyway! Reason #18 that halloween is the happiest season of all: The joy of last minute costume sewing!
The last thing that we did tonight was to work on luminaries to place outside tomorrow night. Last month's Ready Made Magazine showed how to make them with some great ideas. My sister especially liked the one that said "I (heart) Zombies." My mom said that she didn't mind having them in front of the house, so we started making them. Let me just say, it is NOT EASY cutting those letters out of a lunch bag with an exacto knife! The magazine didn't point out that you would have to be crazy to actually make a bunch of these. With 3 of us working on them, we came out with 4 luminaries. Woo hoo!
Ahh well, it will be a good halloween anyway! Reason #18 that halloween is the happiest season of all: The joy of last minute costume sewing!
The hap- happiest season of all?
Halloween is nearly here!
Last night we made some sugar cookies and some pumpkin cookies, both from recipes that use cake mixes. They are VERY good! We also made cupcakes with candy corn on top. The whole process was quite fun...especially having kids helping!
I still have a few things to work out for my costume on Sunday. It's always interesting when halloween lands on a Sunday. This year, I've decided to wear my costume to church. I'll be dressing as "Cloudy, with a Chance of Showers." This means fairly normal clothes, but with clouds tacked on. And the best part? When folks ask me what I am... I tell them, and spray them! Okay, so it's a little mean, but I've been waiting for months for this!
And finally, last night I was reminded of reason #53 that halloween is the happiest season of all: Candy Corn Fangs!
Last night we made some sugar cookies and some pumpkin cookies, both from recipes that use cake mixes. They are VERY good! We also made cupcakes with candy corn on top. The whole process was quite fun...especially having kids helping!
I still have a few things to work out for my costume on Sunday. It's always interesting when halloween lands on a Sunday. This year, I've decided to wear my costume to church. I'll be dressing as "Cloudy, with a Chance of Showers." This means fairly normal clothes, but with clouds tacked on. And the best part? When folks ask me what I am... I tell them, and spray them! Okay, so it's a little mean, but I've been waiting for months for this!
And finally, last night I was reminded of reason #53 that halloween is the happiest season of all: Candy Corn Fangs!
Ashlee's iPod?
By now you should have seen the new U2 iPod. It's the coolest thing ever! Okay, not actually. It's just sort of, another iPod. Airbag Industries gives their thoughts on the new iPod, as well as a look at what an Ashlee Simpson iPod might look like. (via Graphically Speaking)
Firefox?
I'm not usually one to tell people all of the geeky details about how they should set up their computer. However, last night I decided to try the Firefox browser, and WOW! I was blown away with its speed! It actually made me nervous because of how fast things were popping up on my screen. I'm still testing it (and still trying to figure out what I need to do to make this blog work right in it), but I'm quite pleased. Get Firefox!
Toy shopping?
Why do so many people think that toys are for children? Yesterday my sister and I went to a toy show and we were, of course, surrounded by other adults that loved toys as much or more than us. We saw so many wonderful things. We also saw more Star Wars and G.I. Joe figures and Comic Books than most girls would want to see in a lifetime. But having brother and friends that talk about these things, we occasionally paused and even purchased.
I found some nice old books and a very cute little doll called a "Thum-Things" doll. Her face spins around to reveal three faces, each of which has a different emotion: "I'm Thmart!" "I'm Thilly!" "I'm Theepy!" She's very cute, but of course, now I'd like the complete set of three dolls. Looking for a blonde and a red head Thum-Things, each in her box.
But by far, the coolest thing I saw was a vintage crayon maker. I was so excited to get my crayola crayon maker, but little did I know that this was not the first one to be made. This version was not as child safe as the new one, but it did allow you to make more crayons at one time. It also came with crayon shavings in primary colors and, using the included color wheel, you could mix up almost any color imaginable! The sad thing is, I don't remember who made it and I haven't been able to find it online yet. If you have ever seen this, please let me know. I'd like some more information.
So, it was a good day. I was totally wiped out by it though. Playing with toys is hard work!
I found some nice old books and a very cute little doll called a "Thum-Things" doll. Her face spins around to reveal three faces, each of which has a different emotion: "I'm Thmart!" "I'm Thilly!" "I'm Theepy!" She's very cute, but of course, now I'd like the complete set of three dolls. Looking for a blonde and a red head Thum-Things, each in her box.
But by far, the coolest thing I saw was a vintage crayon maker. I was so excited to get my crayola crayon maker, but little did I know that this was not the first one to be made. This version was not as child safe as the new one, but it did allow you to make more crayons at one time. It also came with crayon shavings in primary colors and, using the included color wheel, you could mix up almost any color imaginable! The sad thing is, I don't remember who made it and I haven't been able to find it online yet. If you have ever seen this, please let me know. I'd like some more information.
So, it was a good day. I was totally wiped out by it though. Playing with toys is hard work!
Who...are...you...?
Here's another Alice in Wonderland illustration. The Caterpillar is a great character, and I love the conversation between he and Alice. I can so relate...
[Brackets] or question marks?
I enjoy typography. I like looking at typefaces, learning about the history of type, following and breaking the rules, etc. And in recent days, I've had a fascination with [brackets]. And I'll warn you now, I'm going to overuse them in this post. [Brackets] are very cool. They aren't as everyday as (parenthesis) but not quite as fancy as {curly brackets}. They all have their uses, but I don't get to use [brackets enough]. Which is why I've started using them more in my work. They work nicely to create a check box: [ ] (My employer was a bit confused by this.) I think they are also good to contain something, instead of using a plain old box: [ 24 ] (A client didn't understand this.)
What can I say, I like [brackets]! I've even considered using [brackets] around my post titles here on [the blog] instead of questions. What do you think?
What can I say, I like [brackets]! I've even considered using [brackets] around my post titles here on [the blog] instead of questions. What do you think?
Great balls of fire?
This is what happens when you live at home with your family which includes a two-year-old. This is what happens when that two-year-old decides to play ball in the house. This is what happens when that rubber ball goes into the fireplace when a fire is going.This is what happens when you remove the ball with tongs, then dump water on it out on the front sidewalk. If only you too could enjoy the smell...
Things to do with cotton balls?
My mom just bought a book called Fun on the Run. It's all things to do with kids while you're out running errands, sitting at a restaurant, etc. An activity that caught my eye was from the doctor's office section. The heading was "5 things to do with cotton balls and a wristwatch." Intriguing. Now I know that this is meant to be for kids, but who says that an adult can't have a little fun too?
My favorite idea for cotton ball usage was a little game. You line up some cotton balls on the floor, with enough room to walk between each. Then you tuck a long piece of toilet paper in the back of your pants. Weave in and out between the cotton balls, making sure that the toilet paper avoids the cotton balls.
Doesn't that sound like fun? Doesn't it sound like it would be even more fun if you were doing this at the doctor's office while waiting? And wouldn't it be the most fun of all if the doctor walked in while you were playing this game? You know you'll try it.
My favorite idea for cotton ball usage was a little game. You line up some cotton balls on the floor, with enough room to walk between each. Then you tuck a long piece of toilet paper in the back of your pants. Weave in and out between the cotton balls, making sure that the toilet paper avoids the cotton balls.
Doesn't that sound like fun? Doesn't it sound like it would be even more fun if you were doing this at the doctor's office while waiting? And wouldn't it be the most fun of all if the doctor walked in while you were playing this game? You know you'll try it.
Save it?
Growing up, my mom taught me to save things until when you really want to use them. This sounds good in theory. You know, don't be wasteful. Unfortunately, here is the result:
I'm 24 and I don't know how to use stickers.
Okay, stop laughing. I know that you peel them off and stick them on. But that's really only part of using stickers. My problem is that I don't know what to stick them on, when to stick them, etc. It's like I'm afraid to use them, because what if I want them for something else later.
It's a sickness.
I'm 24 and I don't know how to use stickers.
Okay, stop laughing. I know that you peel them off and stick them on. But that's really only part of using stickers. My problem is that I don't know what to stick them on, when to stick them, etc. It's like I'm afraid to use them, because what if I want them for something else later.
It's a sickness.
Dying for a new car?
It's quite dark out in front of my house, but there are a few nearby street lights casting shadows. My sister noticed a car parked on the street, and here was her comment:
"It looks like there's a hearse out there...but I think it's a Volvo."
I have nothing against Volvos. Really.
"It looks like there's a hearse out there...but I think it's a Volvo."
I have nothing against Volvos. Really.
Photo Friday results?
After an overwhelming number of requests we have a unanimous vote for what you, my loyal readers, want to see a picture of! What you see here is my pile of stuff that I am reading! Okay, so actually, I'm not too organized, and the things that I am currently reading are a bit scattered. But this is the stuff that stays nearby. And I don't just have current books, but projects as well.
Clockwise from the upper left: You can only see the edge, but that's Craig Thompson's "Goodbye Chunky Rice" on top of the lampshades, along with some random papers for making books of craft paper. Ikea lampshades that are just dying to be added to some old lamps I inherited (one of which you see here). Jim Krause's index books, that are always near me. Candles that smell all yummy...very inspiring. A comic wallet. Wire for, I don't know, but I might need it. Drawer peeking open, as usual (crammed with too many odds and ends). Bottles of water that I keep close for when I need to paint. Current knitting project: blanket for my brother, Sweet Baby James. Graphic Design magazines. Lotion...very important. Stack of books, most of which I have read less than half of. Various Bibles. Cinnamon Gum.
This doesn't include the new books that I have that are waiting to be read. They have been properly poked into spaces on my bookshelf. Perhaps next Friday you'll see that. (If you're interested...)
The Eurostar?
I've never had the chance to ride a Eurostar (the train that runs through the English Channel tunnel between London and Paris is one of these). Actually, I've never even left the country. However, if it's as cool as this video, then I know that I'll love it. The video's creator, Koshiro Torisu, has some excellent work to show off, including an animation of a very excited Raccoon!
Chesire?
The Chesire Cat is the next in my series of Alice in Wonderland paintings that I'm working on. The White Rabbit is, I think, nicer than this one, but when they are all together, the group is coming along. (Truly, I don't post these because I think that I am great. I'm not. I just feel that I need to share things that I am working on, no matter their state!) At the request of a young friend of mine, a playing card will be next...watch for it soon!
From the blog of babes?
No, this is not a post about hot girls. This is actually about my 10-year-old brother who has started his own blog. He's also started reading mine. How sweet. They grow up so fast...
Life according to Pantone?
If you enjoy color, then Pantone's Mix magazine is the thing for you! This quarterly online publication has infomation about color trends, forcasts, history, and more. The one downside for me, is that the information is focused on home, fashion and beauty. I'd like to see some print design info in the mix. Oh well. There's still plenty to enjoy. Check it out! (via Palla Palla)
Overheard...again?
The list of crazy things that have been overheard at my house keeps on growing. I guess this is what happens when you're part of a big family of crazy!
"You can eat your fries, but you can't have them!"
It's amazing how easily a four-year-old can get you mixed up!
"You can eat your fries, but you can't have them!"
It's amazing how easily a four-year-old can get you mixed up!
Home sweet home?
I'm back home again. My trip was good, much was accomplished, and I met and spent time with wonderful people. It's good to be home again and be with my family and familiar surroundings, but I'll miss all of my Florida friends. And I'll be back...
Now, I'm not complaining, but I have noticed that no one has placed any comments/requests on my photo post. So I just wanted to remind my loyal readers (you know who you are...and so do I) that this week would be a good chance to place your photo request. Friday is the day they'll be posted!
Now, I'm not complaining, but I have noticed that no one has placed any comments/requests on my photo post. So I just wanted to remind my loyal readers (you know who you are...and so do I) that this week would be a good chance to place your photo request. Friday is the day they'll be posted!
Act of God?
As mentioned, I'm away right now. A business trip to Florida...and it's quite a change in weather from Chicago! Since I've been here, I've seen the newly set up print shop, visited with the folks doing our digital printing and seen a demo of the HP Indigo.
Yesterday I took a short tour of a fellow employee's property, post hurricanes. It was remarkable. A very large tree had fallen through a shed. The walls were still pretty much there; the tree was just in the middle of them. There were many other trees down, and things looked pretty rough. While looking around I started thinking about God. A hurricane is referred to as an act of God. That made such sense when I saw the trees. It was like a way for God to help us clear things and start fresh. Sure there is a lot of hard work involved, but perhaps we needed that little "push."
As all of this was sinking in, a butterfly showed up. Amongst all of the giant trees and limbs, all of the damage and devastation, here was life. Beautiful, fresh new life. Such a contrast. God was there. I can hardly put it into words. You should have been there.
Okay, now enough with the being reflective. I'll go back to discussing the important stuff, like cartoons.
Yesterday I took a short tour of a fellow employee's property, post hurricanes. It was remarkable. A very large tree had fallen through a shed. The walls were still pretty much there; the tree was just in the middle of them. There were many other trees down, and things looked pretty rough. While looking around I started thinking about God. A hurricane is referred to as an act of God. That made such sense when I saw the trees. It was like a way for God to help us clear things and start fresh. Sure there is a lot of hard work involved, but perhaps we needed that little "push."
As all of this was sinking in, a butterfly showed up. Amongst all of the giant trees and limbs, all of the damage and devastation, here was life. Beautiful, fresh new life. Such a contrast. God was there. I can hardly put it into words. You should have been there.
Okay, now enough with the being reflective. I'll go back to discussing the important stuff, like cartoons.
A parting favorite movie line?
This is a parting movie line post for two reasons. First, I'll be gone this week, so there may not be many updates. Also, I think this will be the last Sunday Favorite Movie Line post for a while. Perhaps they'll return someday, but for now, I leave you with this plethora:
"What color are their hands now?"
Dave Goelz as Beauregard, The Great Muppet Caper
"He's the one that caught the Teletubbies takin' a poop."
actor unknown as Brian, Spice World
"You're a swine."
John Lennon, A Hard Day's Night
"So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it."
Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
"What color are their hands now?"
Dave Goelz as Beauregard, The Great Muppet Caper
"He's the one that caught the Teletubbies takin' a poop."
actor unknown as Brian, Spice World
"You're a swine."
John Lennon, A Hard Day's Night
"So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it."
Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Photo Friday?
I was just reading about and checking out Photo Friday. Then in the Blogger news, Biz Stone suggested the idea of collecting photo requests. I'm going to take him up on this. So here's how this will work. I'll post up to three photos of things around me and my life--of your choice (sort of). Please be reasonable...be creative, but nothing nasty. I'll try and accomodate the top three requests. Leave your request as a comment to this post. Pictures will be posted in two weeks, on Friday, October 15.
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