tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70825470828527821202024-02-06T20:30:28.846-08:00Angelica's AdventuresOne homeschooling woman's creative, educational, & philanthropic reprieve from the dreaded brain-dead-soccer-mom syndromeAngelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06671232396465684501noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7082547082852782120.post-53361488143087217072011-04-11T21:23:00.001-07:002011-04-11T22:45:18.305-07:00Staying Present<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvg8HhpX24ToCviyCF3iJyTf-ZZYsj-Ek0ltdq8eMkWeqov6NBXvHAu0_YGyQ1FUx63J7mi0_seLR_OpGZNSzKzF8I7tKwJFno9I11uVhmZh6KkpCR2J0u3wAJsSxpo69t1SVexj91pPy/s1600/DSCF0030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvg8HhpX24ToCviyCF3iJyTf-ZZYsj-Ek0ltdq8eMkWeqov6NBXvHAu0_YGyQ1FUx63J7mi0_seLR_OpGZNSzKzF8I7tKwJFno9I11uVhmZh6KkpCR2J0u3wAJsSxpo69t1SVexj91pPy/s320/DSCF0030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594549739268864578" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This humble beginning of a new garden is my idea of peace, quiet, and relaxation, right now. It's almost all I can think about, and I'm wondering what's gotten into me. It was so much work turning the soil, though in retrospect, it wasn't <i>that</i> bad! I did ask myself, at some point in the middle of that process, "What were you thinking?", but clearly, I needed to do it. <div><br /></div><div>Despite the sore hands from pulling deep roots of wild weeds, dirt everywhere when coming inside to clean up, aching back from bending over said weeds and dirt, and the incessant thoughts of how easily I have murdered at least two previously owned aloe plants, I enjoyed it immensely! I began to realize, I <i>love</i> working in dirt!</div><div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuuE1pEaZNaL6hU9Bq2imDrdZc29xQPH-o6VpkKExLQvZ5FrwmPmQ_NMOEyzF_Mw-neLlYVvWlQzSaHLlT-dhWgyPijCsGJBAIo4Yo7qnBhvOu2gltTW8e00cGaQi1SmFh6Epx2Vt_8pV/s320/DSCF0020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594550449087081346" /><div><br /></div><div>I am completely winging it as I go along, and learning about everything I do as I do it...and there is so much to learn! But, this seemingly simplistic new hobby of mine is apparently a precise and elaborate science.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">(This is not me. ↓)</div></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_xEUiDVknsXJ-9eT8yeYOlKRoNGhjwdYX2JB_XiaAhTVEH-6k1UCUhd58vHSnxD_51EEAaXbsWg1tB0qvKJJ98e6e_r595Al6WfYcyG9VvtXovCihpPw0up9mE18N1Yh3qiwoVq-bmpz/s400/horticulture_programs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594553328077320706" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I've got a whole lineup of vegetable seeds (plus tomatoes and cantaloupe), which I clumsily translated to a geeky spreadsheet, including all appropriate information from the backs of their respective packages. This <i>sort of</i> helped me, but I think it more effectively helped me to feel like I was making intelligent decisions for the design and layout...</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(This is not my garden. ↓) </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuaIOj9IhuJRc15ynLAL1-fCVFSxzdxNhg8wQ2AuAwHSeyZFs7lmv12yktSwkmIZvGDAGWTa_8gUrCJkg6DNNm7eRElz8BNIjK1jNP4k_9Uw-Cf4AG9IrgPQuSa3Cocz8CZ62nHYvHdoD/s1600/garden.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 194px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuaIOj9IhuJRc15ynLAL1-fCVFSxzdxNhg8wQ2AuAwHSeyZFs7lmv12yktSwkmIZvGDAGWTa_8gUrCJkg6DNNm7eRElz8BNIjK1jNP4k_9Uw-Cf4AG9IrgPQuSa3Cocz8CZ62nHYvHdoD/s400/garden.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594555691999374274" /></a><br /><div>Apparently, when planning a [small] vegetable garden, it is important to consider the typical height of each plant, as something like corn, for example, will eventually shade whatever's on its southern side. Something else I should mention: halfway through the tilling of my brand-spanking-new garden, I realized that the silly fence shades it almost entirely at some point during the day! I just about cried, until I figured out that the garden will receive at least six hours of sunlight each day until the late afternoon, which according to my garden-savvy neighbors, is enough (Whew!).<div><br /></div><div>In my desperate search for free gardening information online, I found a very distressing website that somehow alluded to plant families needing to be in a particular order, as in Cucurbits being next to Roots but not Leaf Crops...whatever that means! I figured out what my expectant seeds are, of course, only to realize that I have no idea how to arrange these plants in the order specified; particularly within the confines of 12x7' garden plot. And what if I have only so many Cucurbits, damn it? That smart website couldn't answer that question, and thankfully, I didn't bookmark it for future reference to taunt me again. I figure if the arrangement of roots and leafy veggies are that important I'll either learn it as I go along, from another equally insightful but hopefully more comprehensive source, or I'll learn the hard way: by trial and error!</div><div><br /></div><div>This all goes without mention of a potential full-on war with the greedy little squirrels, who would clearly intend to attack my lovely veggie garden from the start. After all, they bicker when we gather the cherries, and something ruins every single apple on the apple tree clearly placed for human consumption! Still no decision about the nemesis-squirrels, however, as the seeds aren't in the ground just yet. But I'm hoping to simply prevent their sabotage with a cayenne pepper and water solution sprayed over the garden - another acquired tidbit online.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, I've begun to go really mad. All this deliberation on adequate sunlight, plant hierarchies, and antagonist squirrels has me reeling! I finish the silly garden design, though not as originally planned on the fancy-pants Google SketchUp (Must I learn to garden and master 3D modeling? I think not.), and proceed with the seedlings - which, with much love and attention, are growing their little stems off! (Though I don't seem to love them enough, just yet, to have taken pictures!)</div><div><br /></div><div>I can't stop thinking about gardening, and I can't wait to achieve the next step in the evidently super-exciting process. I don't want to do my schoolwork. I don't want to watch t.v. (though that's hardly newsworthy). I don't want to do anything but garden! If I didn't have to sleep, I might not, and I wonder if I can make it to the end of this semester without completely failing my classes in desperate anticipation of the freedom thereafter.</div><div><br /></div><div>I may kill all but the most hardy of my little seedlings, sure. Maybe that's why I've not taken pictures - I don't want to get too attached to the little guys, after all. It <i>is</i> heartbreaking to fail at maintaining and preserving life like that...especially for something as purportedly hardy as ivy or aloe. But I am determined to succeed, now. My garden will produce, not only living and thriving life, but sustaining and organic produce for my family! What a concept!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVqBNnd-AewEfq9ZUsu54B9cc1HieEKDHIbvIlaG6suFy8Dn9d6-3c0YbUX2N_zEz2SO4pqcyBB8Jas0JA_Gydi4P6nCkhVtaLGCap0NCij2cn9oVpNTYFaaSjRXExKYkx9smBXOoMv6u/s1600/DSCF0008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVqBNnd-AewEfq9ZUsu54B9cc1HieEKDHIbvIlaG6suFy8Dn9d6-3c0YbUX2N_zEz2SO4pqcyBB8Jas0JA_Gydi4P6nCkhVtaLGCap0NCij2cn9oVpNTYFaaSjRXExKYkx9smBXOoMv6u/s320/DSCF0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594566691417469938" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>p.s. We're also thinking of erecting a chicken coop, and yes, even owning a couple of chickens. It's apparently called Urban Homesteading, and it's awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses. </span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">~ Hanna Rion</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042686404833824301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7082547082852782120.post-13904042995256307712011-04-04T20:28:00.000-07:002011-04-04T21:04:58.291-07:00The Joke Has Come Upon Me!Have you heard that Pixies song, Nimrod's son? It's a catchy song, really, especially if you like classic alternative. Remember the parts about, "You are the son of..."? If not, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj9GUSbKQFY"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">here's a recap</span></a>...<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">One night upon my motorcycle through the desert spead</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">And smashed my body so that all my friends thought I was dead</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">My sister held me close and whispered to my bleeding head</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">"You are the son of a mother fucker"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">One two three four</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">I shook all night and held her hand</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Chocolate people well I'll be damned</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Land of plenty, land of fun</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">To find out I'm Nimrod's son</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Oh bury me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Far away please</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Bury me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Ha-haaa</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">The joke has come upon me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">In my motorcycle mirror I think about the life I've led</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">And how my soul's been aking all the holes where I have bled</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">My image spoke to me, yes to me and often said</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><b>"You are the son of incestuous union"</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">One two three</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Now my head is clear</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">My luke hands washed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">My daughter's pure</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">My son is tall</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Land of plenty, land of fun</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">To find out I'm Nimrod's son</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Oh bury me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Far away please</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Bury me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Ha-ha Ha-ha</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">The joke has come upon me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">My point is this: We have reason to believe that, literally <i>one day</i> before their scheduled separation, our dirty little incestuous chinchillas have quite possibly mated. Yes, Bob will have a son and brother...if Poofy is, in fact, expecting. She's sleeping on her side, which according to my son is a tell-tale sign. Bob is now Nimrod, in my book...or Naughty Nimrod. Anything but cute, sweet, little, innocent baby chinchilla Bob!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">I'm totally panicking and disgusted and horrified - what kind of chinchilla owners can we be to have let this happen?! Where did I find that information that suggested it was <i>this</i> week that they should be separated, and can the authors be held responsible?! Oh, man. If she's not pregnant, I will never, ever, ever allow something like this to happen under our roof again! I suppose we should separate them anyway and just wait-&-see (after the ridiculously long 111-day pregnancy)...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">(Pleasedon'tbepregnant!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">Pleasedon'tbepregnant!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">Pleasedon'tbepregnant!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">....on the bright side, however, I must admit that I just realized that Poofy caught the bullet I dodged! (Stay with me here....)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">One of my very good friends recently got pregnant. A week later, my very best friend announced that after a couple of months of trying, she is also expecting. *gulp* The next week, my husband cracked open two separate eggs on two consecutive mornings, each of which contained two yolks! Now I don't know about you, but old wives' tales suggest that this is a sure sign of twins, at the very least! So while it doesn't phase V, I'm sweatin' proverbial bullets! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">But whew! I can deal with chinchilla babies, nevermind incest, considering that we don't want or need and certainly can't afford the money, time, and patience that another child demands. I sure did enjoy my pregnancies, though...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: medium; border-collapse: collapse; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Love and pregnancy and riding on a camel cannot be hid. </span></i></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: medium; border-collapse: collapse; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></i></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: medium; border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">~ Arabic Proverb</span></span></span></span></div></span></div>Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042686404833824301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7082547082852782120.post-13991760904747537382011-03-23T20:44:00.000-07:002011-03-23T21:23:09.490-07:00I know, I know...It's Been a While...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Actually, it's been over ONE WHOLE YEAR since I've last posted, and I likely have zero followers now, but I'll just have to swallow that pill. I've been thinking about posting all year, and am pretty confident that I can commit to po</div><div style="text-align: left;">sting on a regular basis in the future...and not posting just anything, mind you, but really interesting and brilliant little pieces of things I find worth sharing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhGpxNBct6uUb4v6nfdlQeKe9VMTCpV9wNutO8LSNgpChF_pcmIMaKlkOMJgZKuGUbVDYbX-bGUChHkdekKRjdxEJ-YJCU48ohYj1tFe9fp87HnPDXfNr2PlrEqhyUV33QV8fnsfkuDy2/s320/ithinkthereforeiblog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587492553532232594" /><div>I guess that's the good thing about a long hiatus: you can re-group and re-charge! (We'll just pretend I was off exploring Europe all this time!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 98px; height: 73px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3YPSYLURwcwLkOwl1XHqEDhm9_V7eET8evM_dP4x9vN_oFRsqjcnkKt29UqTX6adUDiF1PVQB9fI3rxPA66F4xZ8EzOh7mNDdmIIgUjpRN9grHKujWIFMlZ-XG0vWK9TtQKW3j6D9VM4/s400/backpackeurope.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587492701060625922" /></div><div>As a mother of both a teenager and pre-schooler, a homeschooler, a full-time student, and artist, I think it's fair to imagine that I might have something to offer. I would certainly be interested in things that someone like me might present! In any case, it's good to be back...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>So during the past year, we've moved into a lovely house that fits us quite well (despite occasional leaks and hiccups which, thankfully, the landlord efficiently covers), I am in my third semester at school (as a member of the honor society, with an almost 4.0 GPA!), my mother has moved in with us (which is actually going well, so far), and we got a chinchilla (that happened to be pregnant, so now we have two...for one!).</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIf8nXc2rU0R04BKPA3KcVjJxNOIaf8UV4DSeDc85yBC9BURts1Rh4sYTJsRctDQltj25rsCbECoZGkvnw96mmTxnXXz3KB730rD_uCfCdcHjvHL2Feox18si-v_SPaGAUscU2288kYaf1/s200/DSC09653.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587495797458016018" /><div>Lately, we are busybusybusy with homeschool and college-school, but the hubby and kids have all joined a local Kung-Fu gym, which is awesome and they love it. I've begun a garden in the backyard, and will no doubt bitch and moan about that more later!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, it's pretty late, and I think this is probably a good, brief, back-in-the-saddle post, for now.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Wherever a man may happen to turn, whatever a man may undertake, he will always end up returning to that path which nature has marked out for him.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><i>~<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> Unknown</span></i></b></div>Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042686404833824301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7082547082852782120.post-74033382980290818582010-01-09T17:31:00.000-08:002010-01-09T19:27:48.776-08:00A Few New IdeasHello, Lovelies! It's been a very tumultuous past few months for me, so I apologize for the lack of communication! We are so happy in our new place in Colorado, and I am so excited about the new year. The winter isn't as bad as it appears, and we LOVE seeing snow that doesn't melt when it hits the ground!<br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 112px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyzDXfL4vE0z-6nACFN0hare63aiiNGdLycoxTbJy45D3SWt_SeeklxZbiFX1dLizZEcr3stBwfEfcRwokueW9I1pjfQOTDoEQ3Iw_B6CiD1Q9OZ8eybKC8l3OoxeNUgCz3KqIxAtIROO/s200/DSC07607.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424922507398689682" /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">First, I must regrettably admit that I have let Fire Wire Gems go by the wayside lately, in lieu of lots of excuses (including visitors, drama from said visitors, and of course, the holidays), but all I can do is move on and move forward - and get back on track now! I am making new pieces daily, and am preparing to <i>finally</i> launch the new collection very soon. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I am confident that my new jewelry collection will be all that the supposed anticipation expects. And of course, there's always the accessibility and affordability to entice those customers, isn't there? Not to put the buggy before the horse, but I am also in the preliminary planning stages of taking the next big step in my artistic bravery: I shall attempt to take a stab at the local trade show industry. The area is ripe for it, with fairs here and there all-year-round, so here's hoping!<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">That being officially published, I am also slowly-but-surely finding my way into the social world of northern Colorado. I've found a few Meetup groups and have actually attending a couple of meetings with relative success! Now, I think I am finally ready to resume my activism here - and Boulder being just a few minutes away, I'm in good company.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">In the meantime, I've kept busy by creating new paper designs, as well as crocheting, of all things! Here are the invitations I whipped up in a rush for Lorenzo's spur-of-the-moment 13th Birthday...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoryu7KWY5EGS7Jomjfju4xCPLX0DtOht8KNG2hK46IYYRPoB1AVmObJNervdW6zLWoNv4YZbETob5iBSbyIZhZeD9_T-woMTxFKmd_g_P3n9mREq1SqBm8U2zTG-ojFQ-7CUZrDOmRKx/s320/DSC07879.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424927006904707666" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I used black card stock leftover from <a href="http://angelicasadventures.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html">Jen's Bridal Shower project</a>, silver pen, and pasted black & white printed copy paper. I found the 4 different "13" images on Google, and made the entire design as simple, clean, and of course, as cool as possible.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Vlidz58xlurAZM939NwzEcC0475SStmySaq2ZCZoe9_SXV58cw96D5zFrJiUcOoz-pai80iEqwHT_k8LL8ITnRKowmr8S2KN9g7IOkrgfBanMNiapvTflP3CcQT7MeVDTeupw76HiRN5/s1600-h/DSC07881.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Vlidz58xlurAZM939NwzEcC0475SStmySaq2ZCZoe9_SXV58cw96D5zFrJiUcOoz-pai80iEqwHT_k8LL8ITnRKowmr8S2KN9g7IOkrgfBanMNiapvTflP3CcQT7MeVDTeupw76HiRN5/s400/DSC07881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424941536314487602" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br />The whole thing took me probably about one hour, altogether. Lorenzo really liked them, and that's just as good as a satisfied customer to me! For the record, the kids *ahem, teenagers* enjoyed a movie, lunch at the food court and scavenger hunt with prizes (Best Buy gift cards), at the local mall, which turned out to be a real (relatively economical) success!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Next, I created a few custom bookmarks for my dear friend, Olga, who is hard at work with a full-time school schedule. These took a bit of time, but I am very happy with the outcome.</span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku-MD-5IDZ5HuO9nDYWUUjUtYBTG2mwVFh2usWbxbqauKm1staPWa1FjYgVArUqNWtLH3EGHZijFHOyzcpBWE4LqJgYcx9hTKPwsYWf3gytEYbxFfaZKoe7kk-RzziQ8jdSewGz9K4Pxt/s1600-h/DSC07884.JPG"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku-MD-5IDZ5HuO9nDYWUUjUtYBTG2mwVFh2usWbxbqauKm1staPWa1FjYgVArUqNWtLH3EGHZijFHOyzcpBWE4LqJgYcx9hTKPwsYWf3gytEYbxFfaZKoe7kk-RzziQ8jdSewGz9K4Pxt/s1600-h/DSC07884.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku-MD-5IDZ5HuO9nDYWUUjUtYBTG2mwVFh2usWbxbqauKm1staPWa1FjYgVArUqNWtLH3EGHZijFHOyzcpBWE4LqJgYcx9hTKPwsYWf3gytEYbxFfaZKoe7kk-RzziQ8jdSewGz9K4Pxt/s400/DSC07884.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424929049810742322" /></a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">All but the "Love" bookmark were made from actual bookmark stock, which I purchased somewhere or other in a pack of 50. So, if I'm not careful, this could become my new creative outlet (as though I didn't have enough going on already)! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I used cut-out images from different magazines, and hand-drew the black & white design, myself. All calligraphy was also done by hand, which makes the backs of each even more unique...You should know by now, I'm a sucker for a good quote (or 5)!</span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7b14-_vU2RnKbyNoZw7Pvnq26m__9-85t1F7iXcNkeBRP02WkCRIirCrKGuOW_wEcnxW9QzT7inLMq2lBx-HcnXBbBahQxMTmLO3C_3sEHykc5SXbejmKWaFkPYvFePGyBkvrmH_VG_a_/s1600-h/DSC07883.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7b14-_vU2RnKbyNoZw7Pvnq26m__9-85t1F7iXcNkeBRP02WkCRIirCrKGuOW_wEcnxW9QzT7inLMq2lBx-HcnXBbBahQxMTmLO3C_3sEHykc5SXbejmKWaFkPYvFePGyBkvrmH_VG_a_/s400/DSC07883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424929987875072562" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); ">I found each quote online, by keyword searches relating to the image on the opposite side. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); ">Here's the Dancing Skeleton<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHomckvn5uCdKoCThYlY6YSbuBfzJcYyyIjnQf71bspzvg3jo561H20TTT6YIO4pl1bpSp9ye3Au_lYwYsWhyphenhyphenlQ7ebFhe9bQL2Nk3onXEinQSGKpsME2XBcAz3DCPkQgDW3iur87RYpWfw/s1600-h/DSC07887.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHomckvn5uCdKoCThYlY6YSbuBfzJcYyyIjnQf71bspzvg3jo561H20TTT6YIO4pl1bpSp9ye3Au_lYwYsWhyphenhyphenlQ7ebFhe9bQL2Nk3onXEinQSGKpsME2XBcAz3DCPkQgDW3iur87RYpWfw/s400/DSC07887.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424944616131970530" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0Uu6Vrq4OAo15xJDf23DAeWyl16Z8cFrx8oNO1cMlT7cPJ76EwUagyHYIZ2fDZ9bXxVZ6ioE8dF1TzPWMs3826LoKYoWyqIY4UFVy3ARSJu9F82n6OBiINlk2kQTIkMvLcRsuh1ed2OU/s1600-h/DSC07888.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0Uu6Vrq4OAo15xJDf23DAeWyl16Z8cFrx8oNO1cMlT7cPJ76EwUagyHYIZ2fDZ9bXxVZ6ioE8dF1TzPWMs3826LoKYoWyqIY4UFVy3ARSJu9F82n6OBiINlk2kQTIkMvLcRsuh1ed2OU/s400/DSC07888.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424944683800439794" /></a><br />Dream Girl...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLOyL5DwdxljhAH4rmNVBJGXj4T_3Sbu9VskPf4P4mdBxtFex1_OClOdkFZXB3sK23aER2jH91D7cVzBVM29MQv4ux9HgAzzEqMA2GS44QQVYNwu-G2sTwgHiclCy6X2QE3xNpcdydNde/s1600-h/DSC07889.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLOyL5DwdxljhAH4rmNVBJGXj4T_3Sbu9VskPf4P4mdBxtFex1_OClOdkFZXB3sK23aER2jH91D7cVzBVM29MQv4ux9HgAzzEqMA2GS44QQVYNwu-G2sTwgHiclCy6X2QE3xNpcdydNde/s400/DSC07889.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424945349292676914" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yT3cVUy9mkCq5CpcW9Y7RjQKSQXv7klYX3pTVfV9boiiCLKC0Mx5c6OGmp1Shk1BcZ5J3yg6phtSjleYFMZzbOitfdgtKcnJOnz3KAjQCtzGvItUVDnNq68G9qne-a0k2hNsdZJznBFR/s1600-h/DSC07893.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yT3cVUy9mkCq5CpcW9Y7RjQKSQXv7klYX3pTVfV9boiiCLKC0Mx5c6OGmp1Shk1BcZ5J3yg6phtSjleYFMZzbOitfdgtKcnJOnz3KAjQCtzGvItUVDnNq68G9qne-a0k2hNsdZJznBFR/s400/DSC07893.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424945357343176242" /></a><br />Create! (Made by hand, Not Fairy Godmothers)...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08V6HoQisMISbmgujHyTkuYZAC9OpeMeFQ2ksxT5DfZYmWJcRsq1a-93uLQyWqj1qSeyxofaxCwmMIzf4EYHI4RXww4NBsbCZZr9EXDiErzzbdOb6zjfRf3adzuQAcmr2759ycOvRGdcl/s1600-h/DSC07897.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08V6HoQisMISbmgujHyTkuYZAC9OpeMeFQ2ksxT5DfZYmWJcRsq1a-93uLQyWqj1qSeyxofaxCwmMIzf4EYHI4RXww4NBsbCZZr9EXDiErzzbdOb6zjfRf3adzuQAcmr2759ycOvRGdcl/s400/DSC07897.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424946317395791186" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmyUQ6MI4utj3DtPYKvtsW_1z9T5VKDgCDyz6K9J3n28xyVQVNR8Ao49JJRlaWY5Fg7Uqlv8Li_2agzQ5mi7U4I9p3p75YBVGiCnh9_-OQVGmY5agyAfXu56H4ZdTEhpNqL4SlVE-hpR-/s1600-h/DSC07898.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmyUQ6MI4utj3DtPYKvtsW_1z9T5VKDgCDyz6K9J3n28xyVQVNR8Ao49JJRlaWY5Fg7Uqlv8Li_2agzQ5mi7U4I9p3p75YBVGiCnh9_-OQVGmY5agyAfXu56H4ZdTEhpNqL4SlVE-hpR-/s400/DSC07898.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424946318505212178" /></a><br />READ...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-zdDAgGhZQvoJgGVuWMZyWRs28kwHDM5Rqk1QpJP7ooEnVh9apZfNH7FB5fthVujd26b3T21NDm1c1-RSxgY3lGgQL0tHhO-BE4NcEgBdJJuine8Zr61tYdKX_N80pBmvJAjrRggK4je/s1600-h/DSC07894.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-zdDAgGhZQvoJgGVuWMZyWRs28kwHDM5Rqk1QpJP7ooEnVh9apZfNH7FB5fthVujd26b3T21NDm1c1-RSxgY3lGgQL0tHhO-BE4NcEgBdJJuine8Zr61tYdKX_N80pBmvJAjrRggK4je/s400/DSC07894.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424946705808881570" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhDgZmvAT-E8phyphenhyphenWtlT3-VXJSZMegjPKWVaNm-j1hFj2nBM5-wQ0iqOzAp6mgGqIf-2O8HuCcqf4bl7M_fatQPTEV-ZA1yoyeqGJL-ftQc2GEmRiG45SfISMVZVExRXbuKnYuakkVu0pu/s1600-h/DSC07895.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhDgZmvAT-E8phyphenhyphenWtlT3-VXJSZMegjPKWVaNm-j1hFj2nBM5-wQ0iqOzAp6mgGqIf-2O8HuCcqf4bl7M_fatQPTEV-ZA1yoyeqGJL-ftQc2GEmRiG45SfISMVZVExRXbuKnYuakkVu0pu/s400/DSC07895.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424946713801539122" /></a><br />And, Love...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9dnJ3AeEPVNmImx4neHH7Xo08lcz0JURo6lv7xS5HAwDBrowfn1RjRTUjpOIBIJ0UIoaCmb2hOizbvFbSknHlKgIeXOtc91NCPw5Q3ZRzeepPYTktjbtYgjhLO4htm0SQUbLubuOh5KR/s1600-h/DSC07900.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9dnJ3AeEPVNmImx4neHH7Xo08lcz0JURo6lv7xS5HAwDBrowfn1RjRTUjpOIBIJ0UIoaCmb2hOizbvFbSknHlKgIeXOtc91NCPw5Q3ZRzeepPYTktjbtYgjhLO4htm0SQUbLubuOh5KR/s400/DSC07900.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424947129399564418" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArnpNF2WkCGLrEFraICEkGiRN4K_tDsFUXTa_zCEa_WNidKo4pd0aSoLs_6U03bBB_GTgNJKpPCvqgEqtY-1DGHPCa9nG-AaKOHPVffZHWJRPY975UPcl2x9QGUUvidfEILNjeYVYoRBV/s1600-h/DSC07901.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArnpNF2WkCGLrEFraICEkGiRN4K_tDsFUXTa_zCEa_WNidKo4pd0aSoLs_6U03bBB_GTgNJKpPCvqgEqtY-1DGHPCa9nG-AaKOHPVffZHWJRPY975UPcl2x9QGUUvidfEILNjeYVYoRBV/s400/DSC07901.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424947134645328034" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); ">Any imperfections I must insist only add to the character of a gift to a good friend who will surely utilize these handmade items (hence, the lamination!).</span><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">With that, I hope to post another "progress report" much sooner than previously, and with more eye candy for those who are interested! In the meantime, be comforted, and know that if I can get off my ass and create something from nothing, so can you! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">With that in mind, this closing quote really surmises my mood as of late...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><b><i>Creativity is the sudden cessation of stupidity.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>~ Edwin Land</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">American Scientist and Inventor</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div>Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06671232396465684501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7082547082852782120.post-43200907861047277392009-11-20T14:44:00.000-08:002009-11-21T08:58:44.409-08:00Jen's Bridal Shower<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">In early September, I hosted one of my now sister-in-law's Bridal Shower in Austin, Texas, and put together what I think was a lovely little line-up of goodies and games...starting with the handmade invitations. </span><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" rel="File-List" 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font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The bride's color scheme included black, champagne, chartreuse, and a </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">sort of merlot burgundy - plus, she likes pink, so I tried to incorporate those into anything I did.</span></span>
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<br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1s2h7Bu3ZEcolKUkBAtCptpkd4jPhikOq0pXjxzaNSzdtCyPrkCz-mQAQyY1pKUxzGvU5AeWVBPccul0bUoMHwRf9b-GHfd5eVQ_oxkyixuZBPjGI0j-t7B600vKglT-EUrI2pw7nwXae/s1600/Invitations+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1s2h7Bu3ZEcolKUkBAtCptpkd4jPhikOq0pXjxzaNSzdtCyPrkCz-mQAQyY1pKUxzGvU5AeWVBPccul0bUoMHwRf9b-GHfd5eVQ_oxkyixuZBPjGI0j-t7B600vKglT-EUrI2pw7nwXae/s320/Invitations+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406335515407702338" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">I purchased the shimmery champagne damask stationery in sets of 10 per pack at Papyrus, stamped and glittered the ring cutout, cut and pasted the scrapbook paper stock, and hand-tied the bow to the front. On the inside, I printed and glued the top and bottom on normal print paper, then slid the cloud-edged map print outs under the bottom panel. The picture doesn't quite do it justice, but it was a lot of fun putting it together from 'scratch'.</span>
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<br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6d9ylCjBT1LjrX_oJx62SCP4WO87RDvFu2RvxJH7Yrpa8DjHso_isOZmhrjCEBH4IIFgnaTAm0X0web1J0lBJa3MINXb_iUQcvda_BUUTK616WYuV3Jsozh7A2EEfJneDkCQsJQ0vymD/s1600/Bridal+Shower+Bingo+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6d9ylCjBT1LjrX_oJx62SCP4WO87RDvFu2RvxJH7Yrpa8DjHso_isOZmhrjCEBH4IIFgnaTAm0X0web1J0lBJa3MINXb_iUQcvda_BUUTK616WYuV3Jsozh7A2EEfJneDkCQsJQ0vymD/s320/Bridal+Shower+Bingo+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406339716276046098" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">The Bridal Bingo cards were one of my favorite aspects of this project, because - out of instigated necessity and sheer OCD perfectionism - I personalized each and every calling card. Each card was peppered with images of the bride, groom, and flower girl (my daughter!), as well as an image of the proposal site, and items related specifically to them (i.e., Jen's affinity for the Apple brand, James' name over his favorite color). This naturally omitted irrelevant items including "nosegay" or "Vegas", which come standard on most bridal bingo games, but are completely obsolete in this case.</span>
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mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:";font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">As a bonus, I printed a section behind the bingo cards for guests to bestow good wishes and advice in writing. This doubled as a keepsake that could be b</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:";font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">ound or displayed in some small way in the future. Normally, those old bingo cards would likely end up as unused rubbish after the shower. The bingo sheets were inserted by two opposite corners onto a single black sheet of card stock, which also worked as</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:";font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> a firm surface for writing those wishes or placing the bingo markers (Hershey's kisses). Simple and sublime!</span></span>
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<br /></span> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--></span><a style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wePRpJszNIQ14DhrAdUODtb83Af3iZpN8DQNFdvUQuYbQn4HN3shwP-x27keUYunr1lOj1tJYUbUDeu5oxo30pkuFscy1Je325yoTHRrj8zWgXj_PJWmoWzEQAnWVtKfg-oYRsB2PZH9/s1600/Recipe+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wePRpJszNIQ14DhrAdUODtb83Af3iZpN8DQNFdvUQuYbQn4HN3shwP-x27keUYunr1lOj1tJYUbUDeu5oxo30pkuFscy1Je325yoTHRrj8zWgXj_PJWmoWzEQAnWVtKfg-oYRsB2PZH9/s320/Recipe+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406352264110723986" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Another part of this project that I particularly enjoyed was that I was able to compile over twenty recipes from invited guests (but didn't get a photo of the finished product!), and present it to the guest of honor, complete in a chartreuse binder album and with plastic sheet protectors for when it gets messy.</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Other games not already mentioned included a Door Prize via the nearest birthday or anniversary list, which the guests passed around at the beginning of the event. This list was also compiled just for the bride-to-be, for future reference! We also had a lot of fun playing Bridal Pictionary, and the Famous Couples Matching game, which included such duos as Peanut Butter & Jelly, Zeus & Hera, Bert & Ernie, Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette, and of course Romeo & Juliet, etc.</span>
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<br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmGPbYA9_bWbSmcBYVAyKzhqTvNlJhD-etl1fLgVOCxmyNNVyNeLFOJAILDfaxzBXwd7fHFYFMkGMqgyA0GBcbpPUpVC1pTdJda5V6ikQu9ou5CrwnacjBm7r_6LXcmd8vt6g5gGSSh6I/s1600/DSC06115.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmGPbYA9_bWbSmcBYVAyKzhqTvNlJhD-etl1fLgVOCxmyNNVyNeLFOJAILDfaxzBXwd7fHFYFMkGMqgyA0GBcbpPUpVC1pTdJda5V6ikQu9ou5CrwnacjBm7r_6LXcmd8vt6g5gGSSh6I/s320/DSC06115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406353806321144066" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">
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<br />Finally, my absolute favorite were the prizes! These consisted of simple stationery items from Hobby Lobby ($1.99 each), a guest soap set and a Willow Tree praying angel figurine (both of which were re-gifted), a small Ikea vase ($2.99), and silver heart measuring spoons purchased online at </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" href="http://www.beau-coup.com/heart_measuring_spoons.htm?9gtype=search&9gkw=heart%20measuring%20spoons&9gad=2758700708&gclid=CKTLyKHzmp4CFQ8eDQodfUIwmA">beau-coup</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">. I wrapped all in plain, inkless packing paper, embellished with satin ribbon I had lying around, and a pea-colored embroidery thread I'd had from a custom necklace I'd made years ago. Since a couple of our games, like Bridal Bingo, lasted for more than one round, I also gave a few pieces of my </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" href="http://firewiregems.com/">Fire Wire Gems</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> jewelry from old collections as prizes.</span>
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<br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDU5Rc7P0sOvvXfUnODvkYZJC0ONfy8AVfuv9HSPUTr3WoPMw-s9THP-LGADgIBHaCIGGUxbLSNb104gVZVX5qwjzpyk4RQJxJ3vxks0YEh1xRa-YLT6vE2HfdlDhKs7LgZx3LJKCIko6N/s1600/Jen's+Shower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDU5Rc7P0sOvvXfUnODvkYZJC0ONfy8AVfuv9HSPUTr3WoPMw-s9THP-LGADgIBHaCIGGUxbLSNb104gVZVX5qwjzpyk4RQJxJ3vxks0YEh1xRa-YLT6vE2HfdlDhKs7LgZx3LJKCIko6N/s200/Jen's+Shower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406363285884532018" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">All in all, it was a great event, and one which I had a great time organizing and hosting! It was a lot of work; particularly since I was in the middle of an out-of-state move. But I think everyone appreciated all the details of the big picture, and I hope to have the opportunity to use these resources again!</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" class="body">What is there more kindly than the feeling between host and guest?</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">~ Aeschylus</span>
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<br />Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06671232396465684501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7082547082852782120.post-8603854115629461762009-08-05T13:02:00.000-07:002009-08-05T14:29:16.516-07:00Civais Media Group Launches FireWireGems.com Redesign<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_LBcLTzL3vLaye0tGRhn_-a-bHBElgEG1fTSSYF9qPYa0cdzYHuf3CieCZlsGq2wCCO0FdssZAIKAFUjhIcij9t5aN86pXF9As5UhMMHHd-O9i1Hdj7ppz0W4XqTxQgUNkzajLBfRJJU/s1600-h/Website+Logo.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 60px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_LBcLTzL3vLaye0tGRhn_-a-bHBElgEG1fTSSYF9qPYa0cdzYHuf3CieCZlsGq2wCCO0FdssZAIKAFUjhIcij9t5aN86pXF9As5UhMMHHd-O9i1Hdj7ppz0W4XqTxQgUNkzajLBfRJJU/s200/Website+Logo.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366574132509951362" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Civais Media Group announced the official redesign and re-launch of </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-family: times new roman;" href="http://firewiregems.com/">FireWireGems.com</a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">, a new e-commerce website featuring handmade wire and gemstone jewelry. The new site features everything from shopping carts to wish lists, customer account access and order tracking. And the contemporary and streamlined presentation lend well to Fire Wire Gems’ dynamic and progressive designs.</span></span> <p style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Fire Wire Gems chose Civais Media Group to provide Big Commerce site design and consulting management to help optimize marketing and site traffic. Visitors to <a style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" href="http://firewiregems.com/">FireWireGems.com</a> can now purchase quality handcrafted jewelry without linking to Etsy’s checkout capabilities. Now, Fire Wire Gems can be a successful business online without having to research and develop web design and e-commerce expertise. </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">“I absolutely love the new site, and I’m so excited that my customers can remain on <a style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" href="http://firewiregems.com/">FireWireGems.com</a> when they want to make a purchase,” says Angelica Epelbaum, Designer at Fire Wire Gems. Civais Media Group has enabled me to become a better business owner by allowing me the time and energy to focus on MY business!"</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Civais Media Group offers the next big thing in internet retail: “big commerce”, or hosting solutions for small business owners. Instead of fitting your new business into a mold that doesn’t quite fit, Civais Media Group customizes your software based on your needs in order to reach more customers and sell more products – without HTML editing for the client!</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">James Gonzales, Account Manager at Civais Media Group says, "It's been a tremendous pleasure working with Fire Wire Gems, and we are happy to continue to provide support and service when needed."</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:85%;">Based in Austin, Texas, Civais Media Group partners with businesses large and small to provide state-of-the-art web design, search engine marketing, consulting and execution. The company is privately held. <a style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" href="http://civais.com/">www.civais.com</a></span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" href="http://civais.com/"></a><a href="http://www.prlog.org/10302059-civais-media-group-launches-firewiregemscom-redesign.html">Check out the Press Release HERE!</a>
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<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">When you reach an obstacle, turn it into an opportunity. You have the choice. You can overcome and be a winner, or you can allow it to overcome you and be a loser. The choice is yours and yours alone. Refuse to throw in the towel. Go that extra mile that failures refuse to travel. It is far better to be exhausted from success than to be rested from failure.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>- Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics </b></span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06671232396465684501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7082547082852782120.post-15202330856188495772009-07-15T18:50:00.000-07:002009-07-16T19:10:01.845-07:00So Long Overdue, But...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwfMhPx3M0w-A7Wm58OSSs9Cn_L5S94UOgzFZ7Qb1cwkIYqCu0IJ2Gid0g2ZaNKThmkjqZEqSJBSMhHLxphxIND40xYrH6pwTtrNnhInyAHMhIqpk9thLOkIaYogosfed9rZ64ASD_o_0/s1600-h/multi-tasking+mom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwfMhPx3M0w-A7Wm58OSSs9Cn_L5S94UOgzFZ7Qb1cwkIYqCu0IJ2Gid0g2ZaNKThmkjqZEqSJBSMhHLxphxIND40xYrH6pwTtrNnhInyAHMhIqpk9thLOkIaYogosfed9rZ64ASD_o_0/s320/multi-tasking+mom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358871700259887186" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">It's been months since my last post, and I apologize to both of you - dear followers - for my procrastination. Apparently, I am very busy and important...if not perpetually distracted! Much has happened in the past 5 months, and I have a lot of news on a few different projects going on right now. It's very exciting, and I am finally feeling fulfilled, with my volunteering and activism.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHZwA4CEuu_FPYidRB3mzKt3aWM63O3ArB3nGyp2bWCT_77ERf9JHCHpao82cBCnWLibpRy7M85_saGPHuGVoND_TrGXC4MlMCUX7X8DAnIIqtXmlpvAW7UzZOOScGX9d2fEVZI65b8o7/s1600-h/Apartment+Recycling+Logo+1.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHZwA4CEuu_FPYidRB3mzKt3aWM63O3ArB3nGyp2bWCT_77ERf9JHCHpao82cBCnWLibpRy7M85_saGPHuGVoND_TrGXC4MlMCUX7X8DAnIIqtXmlpvAW7UzZOOScGX9d2fEVZI65b8o7/s200/Apartment+Recycling+Logo+1.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358874895245610994" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">First, I was able to meet with the City of Plano Environmental and Sustainability Department, where we swapped ideas and established a few priorities. They have put me in charge of coordinating the efforts of the Apartment Recycling Volunteers. Though it's not a paying gig, I'm confident that the experience and successes will grant me a nice notch for my resume.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">In my opinion, apartment recycling is something that is essential in becoming environmentally responsible as a society.<br /><br />Having lived in so many multi-family properties, I am well aware of the incredible amount of trash these places create on a weekly basis. Since committing to recycling about 2 years ago, I've learned that our little family creates twice as much recycling as normal trash, alone. If we had a compost, we'd produce even less trash.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Initiating recycling at all Plano multi-family properties is a formidable challenge, but I am excited to take it on, and I'm even happier to lead it. Over the past couple of weeks, I have researched, submi</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">tted, and published a proposal, which can be found </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://docs.google.com/View?id=dg2fr96z_0d49wm5p6">here</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">, and am really eager to receive feedback.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsrznBVeCazNM_lF3oedus6kaTMC3L5J3hGggD1fwfFu6NY8vfFrZB1qnnpQpC1Q_BsWxe_3ptoD0ObLLZbgVc1x0KibOXGuUoktyqnLO8k1RWKyCcyoGYOMiRB8BImAzUiKFxDAoV4Vc/s1600-h/100_2114.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsrznBVeCazNM_lF3oedus6kaTMC3L5J3hGggD1fwfFu6NY8vfFrZB1qnnpQpC1Q_BsWxe_3ptoD0ObLLZbgVc1x0KibOXGuUoktyqnLO8k1RWKyCcyoGYOMiRB8BImAzUiKFxDAoV4Vc/s200/100_2114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358884363720755954" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Next, in accordance with </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://moveon.org/">MoveOn.org</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">, I have made my first step as an official activist, participating in a Health Care Rally at the Dallas office of Senator John Cornyn as part of a nation-wide effort to support President Obama's Healthcare Program. I was able to read a speech which I'd prepared, regarding my personal story with the costs of healthcare in America. This speech can also be viewed </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://docs.google.com/View?id=dg2fr96z_6gztfxhfs">here</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br /><br />Another active-activist organization which I've recently become interested in is </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.momsrising.org/">MomsRising.org.</a> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">They are planning meeti</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">ngs with senators in each state with MomsRising members to broadcast and educate our representatives of the healthcare crisis as it stands, which negatively affects hundreds if not thousands of their consituents every day.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br /><br />While my first rally was a great experience, I couldn't help but feel like we didn't make much of a dent, despite our petition which we delivered; particularly considering the politics Cornyn endorses. But, we did receive much attention, from both passers-by and the media, and if my participation - or my story - was able to show someone else that anyone can be a part of a movement towa</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">rd progress, then it is all worthwhile.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXINfm8h9fk7FmIiAmKMt4BDAYrkM24U7EspMlIuqAkTwT66D4cZ1JsjgqHX4xNmCZIq-5eE4MNaO8XGsNNnifYJuPKWVGgeZ4cRaaQnlft02Fa9vpq7W1pz448DhGYBNVKuNWEW9VhPv/s1600-h/Hotel+View+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXINfm8h9fk7FmIiAmKMt4BDAYrkM24U7EspMlIuqAkTwT66D4cZ1JsjgqHX4xNmCZIq-5eE4MNaO8XGsNNnifYJuPKWVGgeZ4cRaaQnlft02Fa9vpq7W1pz448DhGYBNVKuNWEW9VhPv/s200/Hotel+View+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359244635533390338" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Moving forward, my husband Vadim and I are always working diligently at home to improve our lives, as a family. We recently embraced our inclination to change, which has previously daunted us as we rarely could relate to our friends and neighbors. We thrive in our adaptation to the new and the different - particularly within new challenges and striving for knowledge and happiness. Stability is said to be routine, but routine is relative. What works for us has not been demonstrated to work for others.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br /><br />This past week, we took advantage of the opportunity to take a spontaneous trip to Colorado, of which we'd heard so many great things, where we always thought we'd end up, but we'd never visited ourselves. Our ideals were solidified in the majestic Rocky mountain views in Denver and Colorado Springs, and now we're planning on moving out there before the end of the year! While I'm bummed about having just begun in my activism here, I know we truly belong there, and I'm so excited about our new adventure together.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">I hope you take a moment to check out the organizations I've mentioned in this post, and to perhaps take another to find one that hits closer to home for you. If I can do even the smallest thing toward a greater good, then surely anyone can. Thanks again for reading - and I promise not to let so much time pass between posts!</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);" class="quote"> <p>You have been asking what you could do in the great events that are now stirring, and have found that you could do nothing. But that is because your suffering has caused you to phrase the question in the wrong way…. Instead of asking what you could do, you ought to have been asking what needs to be done.</p><p class="workCitation">~ Steven Brust<span class="auxLinks"></span></p><p class="workCitation"> — <span class="citationTitle">The Paths of the Dead</span> </p> </div> <!-- quote --> <div style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="citation"> <div> </div> </div>Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06671232396465684501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7082547082852782120.post-38416925999988491802009-03-24T21:01:00.000-07:002009-03-24T22:45:22.979-07:00Progress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywn4r8iSe_dDpzpb_hficGpfdXv9zz_1lfzn3etx_Ar9t7sitYVrlyJwSExs4hqX1gq4WhNBlMzGrHcfqO6bYIVw1OEeVwDttRENQ66U9aG1EZ-7QnbGDYcPxrJj5qa7qYtnDvzaowQHL/s1600-h/Progress+Road.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywn4r8iSe_dDpzpb_hficGpfdXv9zz_1lfzn3etx_Ar9t7sitYVrlyJwSExs4hqX1gq4WhNBlMzGrHcfqO6bYIVw1OEeVwDttRENQ66U9aG1EZ-7QnbGDYcPxrJj5qa7qYtnDvzaowQHL/s200/Progress+Road.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316970755282379858" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Well, I've actually not been as accountable as I'd hoped these past couple of weeks, but I have, in fact, made much progress...believe it or not! I will say, however, that all the brilliant and important things I planned to do which didn't happen are simply <span style="font-style: italic;">postponed</span>...and that should absolve my guilt a little, right?<br /><br />First, we've started paying back a student loan of my darling husband's. This is quite an achievement because it is actually a consequence of our new-found accountability, which can only be surmised as <span style="font-style: italic;">adulthood</span>; the same milestone of maturity, mind you, which I have evaded all my life up to this point, and for good reason: paying bills is so unrewarding!<br /><br />The positive side is that we're conserving and not consuming as much. Even though we have to drive our recycling 10 minutes away, we're actually accumulating twice as much recycling than regular garbage, and that seems pretty significant. We're also reconsidering multiple trips in order to conserve gas, which means less eating out or impulsive shopping trips to places we have no business going...like Target.<br /><br />Furthermore, staying home has made working on FireWireGems all the more convenient. Last week, in fact, my jewelry had their own proper photo shoot, thanks to the creative collaboration of Olga and her German house guests, Nick and Lina. I now have awesome pictures of my merchandise which are better than I could have hoped for.<br /><br />I have posted the new photos onto my *new shop* at <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7049451">FireWireGems.Etsy.com</a>, and I am working hard each day to upload them, and new content, onto my website, <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" href="http://firewiregems.com/">FireWireGems.com</a>. Please remember: any and all feedback is so much appreciated! I'm pretty anal about the aesthetics and grammar, so it's easy to overlook something on the larger scale, like navigation, or something.<br /><br />Milla is potty training first thing tomorrow, Lorenzo is doing really well for a tortured pre-teen, and our troublesome Loki is enjoying the lovely weather in the back garden/ fenced-in concrete slab lately.<br /><br />Finally, my darling husband has made the miracle-of-miracles decision to go back to school! This has been a long time coming, and while I can't take the credit for planting the idea (although I have gently suggested it from time to time, dammit!), I am so happy for him to finally find what he wants in this life, or more importantly, how to achieve it. Maturity strikes again! And more gratitude to Charles for all of his encouraging support, of course!<br /><br />Perhaps that's what all of this capricious change has been about: growing up. It is my perspective that we are each where we're supposed to be at the exact time in our lives when we're supposed to go through it. Good or bad, up or down. I just want to let other "adulthood-adverse" people know that it might not be so bad, once they find the need to grow up, too.<br /><br />No one really told me that, and apparently their examples weren't too tempting. Not only that, but I probably would have been a bit better off if I'd not fought it for so long. Who knows? I sure did have fun while it lasted, though. Now if only I can still keep the party going while balancing a checkbook...<br /><br />Thanks, everyone, for reading, and for your feedback on the website(s)!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.<br /></span>~ Lao Tsu</span></span>, Taoist Philosopher</span>Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06671232396465684501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7082547082852782120.post-53116173341167911042009-03-08T11:50:00.000-07:002009-03-08T12:56:50.575-07:00FireWireGems.com is Live!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswBPO9OAEdy_WK5t2kayUF0teB1nAt937Q8UD7XoTyUK3cTrPKK0b3jcgyL_B2ukjNT3QLWTWRodXhqdlWYjX57Pc02ggRghgjUIipiqa-l2J6ujDcuKomizj-38mqEbKF8EoED-xakx2/s1600-h/IMGA0249.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswBPO9OAEdy_WK5t2kayUF0teB1nAt937Q8UD7XoTyUK3cTrPKK0b3jcgyL_B2ukjNT3QLWTWRodXhqdlWYjX57Pc02ggRghgjUIipiqa-l2J6ujDcuKomizj-38mqEbKF8EoED-xakx2/s320/IMGA0249.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310891503242678994" border="0" /></a>My new small business website, <a style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);" href="http://firewiregems.com/">firewiregems.com</a> is finally live! While it is still in need of some tweaking, I am so happy it is finally up and running!<br /><br />Ironically enough, once I finished adding the content, I decided the color scheme wasn't to my liking anymore, so that will probably be one of the first changes. In any case, I'm not griping about it because it works, at last! Please take a moment to check it out and leave me some feedback!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">~ </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;" href="http://firewiregems.com/">www.firewiregems.com</a><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;"> ~</span><br /></div><br />I will be adding pieces as they're created, along with additional pages for future collections, etc. And, each month we'll feature a different special price or deal for you to take advantage of! I can make custom pieces, and custom-fit any piece to your style.<br /><br />Thanks again, to everyone who helped make this happen; particularly my brilliant husband, Vadik!<br /><br />I would really appreciate comments, or send me an e-mail, and let me know which pieces you like or don't! I am always open to feedback!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Nobody talks of entrepreneurship as survival, but that's exactly what it is, and what nurtures creative thinking.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">~Anita Roddick, Activist and Entrepreneur</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><br /> </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"></span></span><strong></strong><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"></span>Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06671232396465684501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7082547082852782120.post-84306618225557427612009-03-07T22:57:00.000-08:002009-03-08T00:27:15.204-08:00Fire Wire Gems Jewelry at Auction for Charity!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3fME7uo8Hn_9w9fdPqB2oZX4FEJpDDVSgVzxFkk7ggg_wdWwVha-B-sZX4s0sfH-nCnF3cfK5z9wE7RIXpruuihqbWAipApA0jnh9Sk1Go2xaDtdGlcDQolpTZYXAflK4SZwyQpmkn_-/s1600-h/Organized+Crime.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3fME7uo8Hn_9w9fdPqB2oZX4FEJpDDVSgVzxFkk7ggg_wdWwVha-B-sZX4s0sfH-nCnF3cfK5z9wE7RIXpruuihqbWAipApA0jnh9Sk1Go2xaDtdGlcDQolpTZYXAflK4SZwyQpmkn_-/s320/Organized+Crime.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310722981062288610" border="0" /></a>So I recently started a jewelry company which I'd been lagging on for various logistical excuses over the past couple of weeks, but I am happy to report that my small business, <a href="http://www.firewiregems.com/">Fire Wire Gems</a> finally received the swift kick in the rear that it had apparently been lacking for the past few weeks in the form of a brilliant charity event here in DFW...<br /><br />The Russian Banya (or BYOB day spa) is hosting a <span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">"Save the Boobies!" Breast Cancer Benefit</span> this weekend, including a silent auction, etc., and they actually targeted local small businesses to donate services for auction. Me and my big mouth eagerly volunteered to help with the good cause, and subsequently, some easy publicity. Not only that, but they accepted my admission of one uber-nice piece of handmade jewelry to auction off!<br /><br />So, for all of you who actually live in DFW: you are absolutely obligated to attend this event, if only to schmooze with me, and also of course because half of the proceeds are going to this incredible charity. I will be there on Sunday night as soon as the party starts, and I know it's going to be an awesome night ~ Kamryn has whipped up some super cool entertainment, and the food is so good! Again, bring your own beverage, and make a reservation in advance!<br /><br />And, for those of you who might be curious as to the actual pieces that I submitted for the auction, you can (*hopefully*) check it out on my website first thing Sunday morning...and because I love you so much, I'll give you a sneak peek here...<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6vyLDEIUIQcuyda5XTvC1nzyKNvZBZED1DwkjqbcAmfphj2hbazNs-9p2OlbBMrRQTivfeBpOuUPlNbxD0QdMgLhcLRJFb-SycsHx7UZC50H14afspvJVoeiUG2u1M2c8rB5tc1nxoLI/s1600-h/DSC04478.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6vyLDEIUIQcuyda5XTvC1nzyKNvZBZED1DwkjqbcAmfphj2hbazNs-9p2OlbBMrRQTivfeBpOuUPlNbxD0QdMgLhcLRJFb-SycsHx7UZC50H14afspvJVoeiUG2u1M2c8rB5tc1nxoLI/s200/DSC04478.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310717783742510754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwN0pB8x5wYXD2HKbr4LK8HV33mVWIgSarCeaxrrur_KkdEiP2ZifD6HugfQRnkIlbbhMMm9zZ0Daw3jg41FXXmTFzluBaytOH2hJoVuT0-fz04gfhuG-szxLYftBPNbk__oRY-ZfRUCz/s1600-h/DSC04484.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwN0pB8x5wYXD2HKbr4LK8HV33mVWIgSarCeaxrrur_KkdEiP2ZifD6HugfQRnkIlbbhMMm9zZ0Daw3jg41FXXmTFzluBaytOH2hJoVuT0-fz04gfhuG-szxLYftBPNbk__oRY-ZfRUCz/s200/DSC04484.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310718059340486338" border="0" /></a></div><br />These are completely handcrafted from sterling silver wire and multifaceted garnet and retail for approximately $130.00. However, you are welcome to post a silent bid on the set at the Russian Banya in Carrollton all day and well into Sunday evening!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jI0ARN33qsD6XiLAaKXkrezszMRqHcZZC_ST8NbpfOqaG9X4TBhaKnmuEOi_nZ6t-cPIlwcVamstrdqi-mIsapc_uLiqNAl92oDDs6mqCiya_Rlmaj5hFJE6SDBSTSRnwCNWDUnhUJ1Z/s1600-h/l_3de984105fb64255a02bf7b5667e2114.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jI0ARN33qsD6XiLAaKXkrezszMRqHcZZC_ST8NbpfOqaG9X4TBhaKnmuEOi_nZ6t-cPIlwcVamstrdqi-mIsapc_uLiqNAl92oDDs6mqCiya_Rlmaj5hFJE6SDBSTSRnwCNWDUnhUJ1Z/s320/l_3de984105fb64255a02bf7b5667e2114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310723070612306786" border="0" /></a><br />I also want to send a huge <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-style: italic;">T</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-style: italic;">H</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204); font-style: italic;">A</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-style: italic;">N</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-style: italic;">K</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255); font-style: italic;">Y</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-style: italic;">O</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204); font-style: italic;">U</span> to Kamryn at the Banya for setting this up and providing the opportunity for me to participate! I look forward to hopefully seeing some familiar faces there on Sunday night! <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">~ be there or be square! ~ </span></span>And, as always, comments are totally welcome, and at this point, <span style="font-style: italic;">highly anticipated</span>...<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-weight: bold;">"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?"</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">~ Rabbi Hillel</span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span><span class="sqq"></span>Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06671232396465684501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7082547082852782120.post-10540264743204510572009-02-28T15:32:00.000-08:002009-02-28T21:53:00.642-08:00Tattoo-Style Swallow Quilt Holders on Instructables.com<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihA6_liGbkWtwpCnc036Fy8Ibl-wAuQabYi-32dXxqykG7VF-G7uHsN3jByAb_doJjuMb6tYjbrBLS3w9-9bwbPkahr6dVwEgNuEgvOhtRuUJ_hkFYvlM-V9_irS6OV_ytz_JZ73AvYkBC/s1600-h/F1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihA6_liGbkWtwpCnc036Fy8Ibl-wAuQabYi-32dXxqykG7VF-G7uHsN3jByAb_doJjuMb6tYjbrBLS3w9-9bwbPkahr6dVwEgNuEgvOhtRuUJ_hkFYvlM-V9_irS6OV_ytz_JZ73AvYkBC/s200/F1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308010229149549906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_80g16DTENMMFFUVVnVAAZEpJCVCD_XJyG8i_hPuzDQ3uRuxn8cPGvDY6ra07VByLhal_PN89tPHWx8QDHp6jeJssrjGtZN7MSwSKA6RrtI0tpG7_wW9tNyIUhbmPEae35qoR9x9uvC-X/s1600-h/F2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_80g16DTENMMFFUVVnVAAZEpJCVCD_XJyG8i_hPuzDQ3uRuxn8cPGvDY6ra07VByLhal_PN89tPHWx8QDHp6jeJssrjGtZN7MSwSKA6RrtI0tpG7_wW9tNyIUhbmPEae35qoR9x9uvC-X/s200/F2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308010229464348242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVt-qhmTuL2b7MZTeyBI594dgNpSSpukyP2gFCj9ugb_rgQ2IsCeuSP0JScYeSFoWcBvPPILXwkYqx-M7qe5n_TCZaEs3LMqMyvWotP2eBFttl5J4DGxVNaOty303Sc24M6xSkbeNIHYqI/s1600-h/F3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVt-qhmTuL2b7MZTeyBI594dgNpSSpukyP2gFCj9ugb_rgQ2IsCeuSP0JScYeSFoWcBvPPILXwkYqx-M7qe5n_TCZaEs3LMqMyvWotP2eBFttl5J4DGxVNaOty303Sc24M6xSkbeNIHYqI/s320/F3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308010317183154274" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I recently finished this project that has taken just about forever, it seems! And, I've published the entire process for creating these quilt holders on the website, <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Tattoo_Style_Swallow_Quilt_Holders/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Instructables.com</span></a>. You can follow the hyperlink, or copy and paste this link:<br /><br />http://www.instructables.com/id/Tattoo_Style_Swallow_Quilt_Holders/<br /><br />The beautiful quilt, comprised of eighty colorful and unique needlepoint butterflies, is hand-sewn by my mother, the uber-creative, Ms. Barbara Moncivais! It was actually a gift to my daughter, the adorable, Miss Milla Epelbaum. My mom has made one amazing, customized quilt for her precious grandchildren, now totalling six. I believe they are just about the coolest gift you could ever get from your grandmother, because they are truly handmade from the heart, and more than any expensive electronic gadget or wish list video game that your parents refuse to buy you, these quilts are absolutely priceless and irreplaceable. But enough about her amazing quilt! This post is about MY creation, dammit!<br /><br />The process was pretty simple, which is why I chose to post it on <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Tattoo_Style_Swallow_Quilt_Holders/">Instructables.com</a>. And thankfully, we have all the materials and power tools necessary to pull it off! Vadim did a superb job with cutting them out, although he thinks he's much too humble to admit that. My only roadblock was figuring out how to hang the swallows AND the quilt from the back of the birds, themselves...what hardware would do both jobs easily? Once I finally found the answer (or at least, the theory that worked!), I just had to purchase the relatively cheap eye hooks and framer's wire from Michael's, and voila! Project complete!<br /><br />I do need some feedback from you oh-so-loyal readers, though, because I am seriously considering selling these. I have a couple of concerns/ obstacles (most notably, the recent Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (or, CPSIA) for small businesses, resellers, <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">crafters</span>, and charities, which states that all products designed for children up to age 12 must now be tested for lead; however, there are exclusions and stipulations that are and continue to be defined), but more than anything else, I realize there is a market for these puppies and I happen to be in a position to supply it!<br /><br />I actually took forever to make 'em due to my own personal dysfunctional time-management strategies (or the lack thereof) when it comes to my crafty brain farts. If and when I actually create these for profit, I estimate they'll take 5 days to mak; however, once I get an assembly-line production going, the supply for demand should not be an issue...and I can make them in virtually any form!<br /><br />So please let me know how much you think they're worth, or how much you'd be willing to pay for them...and be honest! I really want your constructive criticism, if you have any, and of course, your blunt estimates - for better or worse - and I do appreciate your opinions! Please just click a button in the Poll to the right and that's it!<br /><br />Thanks in advance!!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">In the modern world of business, it is useless to be a creative original thinker unless you can also sell what you create. Management cannot be expected to recognize a good idea unless it is presented to them by a good salesman.</span><br /></span></span></span><a style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);" title="Click for further information about this quotation" href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/2457.html"></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">~David M. Ogilvy</span>Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06671232396465684501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7082547082852782120.post-46292476177729570312009-02-28T11:50:00.000-08:002009-02-28T14:31:11.849-08:00Getting Started<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yEbwtGh5GXxTPfEsqHsua-xP2FH17V_GixhSPjm8HP5_Llg-kFzq3Am2C-1Q5frcQOz4wBRMvppWRU2j91mC9BlCFsLPro8Jdxe6bX_qlZ7i8A4Upi2UIGXCU5xl6NgwMw79lgZ0Asgb/s1600-h/Begin+Flower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yEbwtGh5GXxTPfEsqHsua-xP2FH17V_GixhSPjm8HP5_Llg-kFzq3Am2C-1Q5frcQOz4wBRMvppWRU2j91mC9BlCFsLPro8Jdxe6bX_qlZ7i8A4Upi2UIGXCU5xl6NgwMw79lgZ0Asgb/s320/Begin+Flower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307947448180118978" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">I am totally pumped and completely motivated to finally be, what seems to me, on the right track in my tumultuous life, at long last! I won't bore you with all the complicated details, but basically, my confidence and commencement as a public artist and philanthropist has been a long time coming.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">To be brief, I am working on a few projects simultaneously, and these will be the subject matter for my posts, and hopefully a bit of encouragement for your own creativity and/ or volunteerism. Hell, if I can do it, truly, anyone can!<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">I really appreciate any support and comments anyone is willing to offer because, more than tooting my own little horn here, I hope to somehow embolden others in their own time and community, so feedback is essential.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">Timing is everything, everything happens for a reason, and reason is the ally of intuition. With those tenets in mind, I'll close this, and hopefully each post with a relevant quote; starting with the following...<br /></span><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 102);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102);">~Buddha</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 102);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102);">[Likely paraphrased]</span>Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06671232396465684501noreply@blogger.com1