GenericSM

genericsm
Originally uploaded by seeshells.

Another piece of computer art that is a few years old.
When I bought myself my Wiacom drawing pad, in 2002, it came with a limited edition of a great art program. I haven't been able to get a more updated version of that program, (and the old one won't run on our computers now) and that's really disappointing. None of the art programs that we have can do what it did, even though they can do a lot of other cool things. Probably a lot of folks would rather have layers, and dots to move lines, but I really miss the airbrush and chalk.

Ten on Tuesday

10 things You Like About Your Job

We get good vacation and sick leave, and you get more the longer you're there.

Twelve paid holidays. Only in Nebraska could you get Arbor Day off (because this is where Arbor Day started)

After a year as a 'staff assistant' I got a better position in the same office, so I already knew everyone!

I've met some awesome friends there, life friends, not just work friends.

I'm finally making almost what I was making at my wonderful job, which was four years ago this month.

We're right downtown, so we can get great lunch.

It's only about 7 minutes from home, and I can easily come home for lunch to spend time with my guy. (Because our schedules are off, and that's one of the only times I get to see him.)

There is some amount of challenge to the work, so I don't get bored, but it's not high pressure.

Most of my work is done on the computer.

I get to use my breaks to work on projects. And since my job itself isn't creative, I don't burn out creatively.

How Lame am I?

So what kind of a clod-blogger am I? No posts from one Tuesday meme 'till the next? That's not right. And boy, do I have excuses! Big project at home (switching kids' rooms), one gal gone from work for a couple weeks (so instead of doing 1/3 of the daily work, I have had to do 1/2--and not have as much 'thinking about creativity' time at work), getting ready for school (finishing summer things with the kids, and school shopping), posting a Thing every day (which I have to do before posting to this blog, because that one is a contest--and I can't let him win!), and working on multiples of the same project for the opening of my Etsy shop!
I'm even lamer because when I was trying to do some cleaning up on the site, I accidentally deleted my Zombie mask post. Duh.
So what's coming up? Well, first, fixing that post! The things I'm making to sell in my Etsy shop (no link yet, as I haven't actually opened it yet), I said I would keep making them until I was sick of them. And I've pretty much about reached that limit! Altho, as I type, another one is next to my keyboard that I'm working on as I blog. I've got a scarf started on the blue Knifty Knitter loom, and I've got a couple other KK Loom ideas, including experimenting with making a bucket hat, and trying out various non yarn materials on the looms. I'm playing with shrinkie art. I finally found the percent bars to put on the sidebar and keep me honest about how many projects I've got goign at the same time, and at what stage they are at. I put the kids in search of a tennis ball for another project from the Carol Duval newsletter, and they found me one! Thinking about a sketch-a-day weekly or monthly project. Looking for some swaps. Thinking more on the retro project, and bought supplies to make an awesome retro project hopefully this week with the kids.
Stay tuned!

Ten on Tuesday

10 Things You Don't Like About Your Job

First, let me say that I was happy to see that next week's 10 Things is a balance to this week's. Because I am a 'glass is half full' kind of gal, and because I believe there is duality in everything, I was going to add disclaimers to most of this list. But the other side of the story will be next week, so I won't worry about that now.

We have to peg in and out, and account for all our time.

The building we work in has ventilation problems or mold problems or both, a lot of us have allergy problems only at work.

There's no free parking.

The team I'm on doesn't get along great as a team. We get along ok individually (and one person on my team is a great friend) for the most part, but not as a team.

The work I have to do every day varies, some days it takes all day, other days just a few hours.

The cube walls are paper thin. We can hear every phone call, nose blow (and other body noises), radio, fan, and conversation of our closest cube neighbors.

The managers are not taught how to be good managers.

There is no cafeteria in our building, and not so great snack machines, either.

There is a small group of middle school gossips that even tho I luckily don't have to work too closely with them, they tend to infect the rest of us with their gossip.

And the number one thing I don't like about my job: It's not creative!

Ten on Tuesday

10 Interesting Websites You'd like to share

The Thing Of The Day My other blog, that I do with my guy. Every weekday, we each post a Thing.

FixYa New to me today. A cool site where people can give advice on how to fix things.

Crafster Craftopedia Crafster is an awesome crafty forum, and the craftopedia has tons of info on every craft imaginable.

Post Secret A collection of secrets written on postcards. They are funny, touching, scary, and inspiring.

WikiHow A Wiki Encyclopedia of how to do anything.

Game Table Online You can play cool board games solo or with others online. And they are still giving away free lifetime memberships!

Etsy The online store for selling arts and crafts. I plan to be opening my own shop there soon.

Creative Whack From "A Whack on the Side of the Head" by Roger von Oech, the King of Creative Thinking. Hit refresh for a fresh Whack.

The Cute Project Sometime almost too cute for even me! The most adorable photos of cute animals. When you need an 'Awwwweeee' moment.

Grow-a-Brain A blog full of cool links in fun catagories. A daily must-read.

Zombie Mask

Scary Side
Originally uploaded by seeshells.

I know I've been gushing over crafty podcasts lately, but I'm not gonna stop! Craft Sanity had an interview with Carol Duvall recently that was wonderful! They talked about Carol's very early days in television and crafting. In the '70s, Carol even put out a little crafty newsletter, probably one of the first publications devoted to crafts. As a bonus, on the Craft Sanity website, there is a link to a pdf of Carol Duvall's Craft Letter from Octover 1978.

Pretty Side
Originally uploaded by seeshells.

Click here to read some of the story, and scroll down a bit for the pdf.
This fun mask idea was one of the projects, altho Carol didn't suggest the Zombie face, that was my own idea.
;p

Zombie Mask Flat
Originally uploaded by seeshells.

Ten on Tuesday

Ten Things You Will NEVER Do Again...*

Glue my fingers together with superglue just to see if it really works

Be afraid to use lots of colors together

Buy supplies for everyone else, and not buy myself something

Paint without spreading newspaper underneath

Forget to leave seam allowance

Nail my project to the furniture

Be too shy to take a photo

Use a hot glue gun far from a water source (or burn cream)

Give something I created as a gift without trying it out first to make sure it won't break

Be my own worst critic

*Thinking about this list, I realized it has the potential of being very embarrassing (I'll never again wear a skirt with no undies on a windy day) or very sad (I'll never again be pregnant and have a baby), so I decided to stick with this blog's creative slant, and make my list of things I'll never do again in the realm of arts and crafts.

Cell Phone Holder

Denim Cell Phone Holder Nice Fit
Originally uploaded by seeshells.

At our house, we don't, as a general rule, like cell phones. So we had not agreed to join the rest of the world (or the 21st century) until recently, when my guy was visiting a sick friend in the hospital in another town. The calling card I had bought him didn't work, and he drove around for two hours looking for somewhere that sold calling cards, then looking for an appropriate pay phone to use. The friend told him about her pay-as-you-go plan, which sounded good to him, so I decided it was time. The phone is small, and is the kind that doesn't fold, so I wanted to make something to protect it in my purse (where it will lay most of the time).

Denim Cell Phone Holder-Inside
Originally uploaded by seeshells.

I decided to make the case out of denim, with felt on the inside. Boy, was it hard to not bead the whole thing! But since my guy will carry it with him when he travels, and the kids might even carry it with them once in a while, I decided to make this case not too girly. Maybe I'll have to make another case at some point, all beaded and glittery! That will have to be another day.
I figured a simple pouch would work fine, and cut the denim long enough to wrap around fold over, with a seam allowance on one side, and the bottom finished edge of the jeans for the other side, so I wouldn't have to finish both sides!

Denim Cell Phone Holder with Felt
Originally uploaded by seeshells.

I cut the felt smaller than the denim by a couple inches, and started the sewing with the edge I had to finish myself. The worst part, and the part I may still change is the velcro. It's suposed to be sticky, but I know from another project, that the sticky doesn't stay sticky, so I decided to also sew it on. It was very hard to sew through, and the needle and thread got completly sticky, and I think it looks kinda crappy. Maybe I'll rip it out and sew on a button and loop instead.
When I sewed the pocket part in, I poofed in some extra room, so it kinda stands up by itself. I'd seen cell phone pouches with side pieces, and didn't think I needed to do that.

Denim Cell Phone Holder Fringe CU
Originally uploaded by seeshells.

The best part for me is the fringe. I think that's why I picked denim in the first place. I sewed it all with a double stitch that seems to be very strong. I sewed the sides along the edge of the felt, and then the fringing began. Boy, am I glad I have a seam ripper. It's a cheap-o one, but it still works. The right tool I guess.

First Painting

Coffee Painting
Originally uploaded by gebryan.

My guy thinks of me as the artsy one. Which is accurate, I suppose, in that I am creative in the arts and crafts more than he is. He doesn't consider himself either artsy or craftsy, his creativity lies in other areas. Being me, and believing that we can all tap into that inner artist, I challenge him from time to time.
I got this painting kit as one of the monthly installments in the craft of the month club that I am in. It wasn't quite a paint-by-number, it had the whole picture on the canvas, in different shades of grey. It had 5-6 tubes of paint, which the instructions told you how to mix, and you paint over the different colors of grey.
I thought this might challenge him for a Thing, so I gave it to him. That was months ago. I figured it didn't challenge him after all, but the other night, he asked me where it was.
I think it's pretty good for a first time, but more important, he enjoyed the experience. He said he learned how to mix paint. I know that the difference of using a paintbrush vs. pen or computer is huge. He may even try painting again.