What Type Are You??

I recently discovered a really great blog named "How About Orange," which led me to a wonderful little spot on the Pentagram website.  If you aren't familiar, Pentagram is a very famous design firm, and here you can find out what type best suits your personality!  You talk to to their psychiatrist and he will tell you which font you are!  You gotta try it and tell me what you get!!  I am Archer Hairline, which looks like this: 

Summer is Coming

For those who are seeing blue skies from their office windows (or in my case, rain!), this is a reminder that summer is nearing and you may be laying under a gigantic palm tree like this very soon!  

Mother's Day Cards

I just realized that I forgot to post images of the pretty mother's day cards I made this year!  I found this floral paper (I think its wallpaper) in the bottom of my desk drawer, in a bag with a some vintage valentines.  The flowers were already partially cut out, and I'm thinking that was done by my grandmother, Helen, years and years ago when we used to do crafts together.  I thought it was pretty fitting to use something she had started for this project. Here's a belated thank you to all the mothers and grandmothers in my life!

Classic floral.

 

This one is a little more modern, with a photo of a grassy lawn layered behind. 

Save the Dates

One of the best things about having a party is making the invitation! Here are some recent designs I whipped up for work, for our annual fall reception. Which do you like best?

Before Unicorns

In case you are interested, my unicorn costume had a life in between the dance stage and the recent costume party!  Here I am at Tour de Fat in 2008, with matching socks.  Tour de Fat is a fabulous bike parade and party put on by New Belgium Brewing Company--the makers of Fat Tire and a really rad company I got to know when I lived in Fort Collins!  If there is a Tour de Fat near you, GO!!  I'll even lend you my black and white costume if you want ;)

Of Myths and Men

A few weeks ago I was invited to a fun party with the theme "Gods, Goddesses, and Mythical Beings."  Guests were encouraged to be creative, and the only request was that we not be lazy and just show up wrapped in a sheet-toga. 

 

A few of my housemates and I had fun getting ready.  Michelle (a middle school teacher) is Saraswathi the Goddess of knowledge and education.  Anders is Frey, the Norse god of farming, weather, and fertility.  And I am, well, a UNICORN! You see, THIS is why I saved my dance costume from high school. ;)

The Great Dye Experiment

Ever since I made that scarf out of an old t-shirt, I've been on a quest to clear my closet of clothes AND to do it by altering them so they have a new, fabulous life!  When my housemate Amber asked if I'd like to use some aubergine dye she had leftover from a dying project, I thought I had just been handed the perfect chance!!!  

So, another housemate and I found some old stuff we wanted to try to make better.  Don't be fooled by the bright white the sun gave these items in the photo; they are well worn used-to-be favorites that have stains!!  

Jill and I had fun chatting in the backyard for 30 minutes, stirring our goods and catching some rays.  

 

We learned a few things; like that dye can't go on forever.  One of my items turned out pastel purple and not really my style.  This shirt is pretty good, but you'll see some icky colors in the tummy area.  So, it might be time to say goodbye to this old staple tee.  Or, maybe I'll try an applique project to cover it.  We'll see...    

Font for the Ladies

As usual, I have been spending some time checking free fonts, and I'm trying to restrain myself from downloading too many.  One design teacher told me to only have about 25 fonts in your library, and to know them well.  Another teacher told me to get tons of fonts and play around with expanding what you use!  I tend to lean towards the latter view... I mean, I may have problems getting rid of actual stuff to de-clutter my home, but another font book isn't hurting anyone with an external hard drive!!  Still, I suppose moderation is best.  That's why I'm not downloading this FREE High Heels typeface, but instead sharing it with you.  Isn't this a scream?!?

Bike to Work Day!

Tomorrow, May 13 is BIKE TO WORK DAY in the East Bay!!  If you have never participated in this fun event, you really should dust off the ole two wheels and participate!  One of the greatest things about it is the energizer stations, where you get tons of free goodies and food.  They also often have people who can check out your bike and do simple tune-up work for free!  But truly the best is seeing so many people on the roads, often times pedaling along in their suits.  Last year on my ride I passed so many people who rang their bike bells, smiled, and shouted "good morning!"  Warm Fuzzies!!!  Hope you see you out there tomorrow.

Also, just fyi; here is the pollution from commuting by car...
10 mile round trip commute 5 days a week for a year

Vehicle	MPG	Gasoline	Emissions
Small Car	35mpg	68 Gallons	.7 Tons of CO2
Midsize Car	20mpg	124 Gallons	1.3 Tons of CO2
SUV/4x4	14mpg	170 Gallons	1.9 Tons of CO2

Orange

I hope your day is as bright and lovely as these two images, which I cut out from a magazine ad and scanned to use as possible backgrounds for a poster.  I can't even remember what the photograph was of, but I love the soft, ethereal quality they have.

T-Shirt Scarf

After what seems like a long time, I finally got back into some crafty projects this weekend.  One was some mother's day cards (stay-tuned...the real audience has to see them before I can post pics!), but my other project was just for me!  I took this old grey/blue shirt and decided to make it into something wearable!

First, I cut out all the usable parts, steering clear of a few holes, stains, and the pocket.  This left me with three oddly shaped pieces, but I forged ahead. I sewed the pieces together....

And there you have it!  A new scarf with two simple seams!  Because it is a knit fabric, I didn't even hem around the edges.  This will be a perfect weekend casual scarf.  :)  It was so easy; now let's just hope I don't get on a kick and cut up all my old shirts...