Etsy and Buffy

cat in box

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:56:17 GMT

Dear Oliver, thanks for helping me clean the office. Or better yet, why don't you just stay in the box for a while?

so you think you can dance

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:17:09 GMT

This season is so fabulous.

Yep, I am a television junkie. OK, not in the sense that I come home from work, watch for 6 hours and go straight to bed, but in the sense that I've actually started to like some shows (and by "like" I mean "be completely obsessed with.") When did this happen?

The current one absolutely not to be missed is So You Think You Can Dance. I am not a big follower of reality shows or talent competitions in general - I won't touch Hell's Kitchen or American Idol (gag) with a ten foot pole. But the dancing on SYTYCD is uplifting and just plain makes me happy. But before we even get to the dancing: I like the people on the show. The judges are actual experts, not a bunch of yahoos, and they are critical but not nasty. Cat Deeley, although I would swear she had her dress on upside down last week (the gray one with the ruffles at the top, did you see it?) is really good at her job, always positive, never stumbles over a word - oh to be half that good at public speaking. Jordin Sparks was on last week. I had never even heard of her (see the aforementioned aversion to American Idol), but it was so refreshing to see a normal-looking woman in a normal cocktail dress instead of pink shorts and vinyl thigh high boots, singing an normal song without the need to acrobatics along with it. What a joyful singer - who knew? Also, Adam Shankman was a judge last week. I love that man. You just want to hug him.

Now, about the dancing. Katee and Joshua have been my favorites since week one, and they continue to be fabulous. They have taken every style thrown at them and become totally immersed in it. Amazing. My other favorites are Chelsea and Mark and also Kourtni. But, sadly, I think she'll be going home soon, likely tomorrow. I blame her partner.

challenge time

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:27:11 GMT

Well, I took a break from blogging for several days. I had a bad case of "if you don't have anything nice to ~~say~~ blog, don't ~~say~~ blog anything at all..." I'll catch up on things LJ a little later.

It's challenge time again at pcagoe, my online polymer clay guild. The theme this month was "personal hero," and so, duh, my entry just had to be Buffy-related, didn't it?

I give you The Slayer Necklace:

It has the words "into each generation" plus cross and stake. Vampires, beware!

I'd be pleased as punch if you'd visit our website, http://pcagoe.com, and vote for your favorite entry. There are prizes to be won :)

a gaggle of goddesses

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:52:48 GMT

Penny, Lacey, Gretchen, Purple Rose and Rainbow

that's entertainment

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:42:53 GMT

Here's my super official entertainment update for this week.

1. So You Think You Can Dance

Joshua and Katee are my favorite couple so far without a doubt.

The judges are way harsh this season. Is it really that much more of an accomplishment to learn a fox trot in a week than it is to learn krumping in a week? Also, I think a combination of the two would be quality entertainment...

2. Big Love

We've only watched 2 discs so far (5 or 6 episodes). It's like the car wreck on the road phenomenon. You don't want to watch it, but you just can't help yourself. It's not the polygamy that creeps me out as much as the religion. The characters are wonderful. I really love Chloë Sevigny.

3. Harrisburg Men's Chorus concert this past weekend was really lovely. Way to go, guys!

two now and then drabbles

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:42:38 GMT

She hadn’t meant to kiss him. No, of course not. She was with Oz, and Oz was, well, perfect. And charming. And so sweet. A boyfriend to surpass any boyfriend dreams she’d ever had.

Except one.

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It was forever ago, but sometimes they would still talk about those days, especially that day – that kiss – and laugh. What had caused it, the sudden rift in the Willow Xander platonic continuum? Willow maintained that it was the formal wear. It made him sexy. The shiny shoes, the crisp white shirt, the bow tie of adorableness – that’s what led to the kissage.

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The plane ride to California was miserable, but it was worth it for a few days with Rupert. Why he wouldn’t move home so they could be a proper couple was beyond her, but then she was never one to be tied down, so why complain? She settled back with her airplane wine and smiled with anticipation.

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The plane ride back to England was long. Monsters? Demons? Children’s fairy tales of the creepy variety coming to life and haunting a whole town? She had hoped their relationship was progressing, that maybe… But now? This was all just too much.

tarot of the day

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:55:37 GMT

Tarot Card: Three of Pentacles
Character: Jesse
Upright Meaning: Appreciation and success. Good constructive work. Approval of others. Carefree confidence.
Reversed Meaning: Mediocrity and half-hearted efforts. Perpetual fear of failure which makes change difficult.
Question: What is currently causing your insecurity?
Advice: Be a little wiser and a little less impulsive. Stop trying to attain the impossible and work instead toward the practical.

Yeah, yeah, I'm working on it, OK? It's true, though, I am working much more toward the impossible than the attainable at the moment.

I love the role Jesse plays in the Buffyverse. Pretty soon we get used to people getting killed right and left and everyone more or less ignoring it and moving on, but the first one was a hell of a shock, at least for me it was.
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I'm working on the magician. It's very slow going. I'm having trouble deciding on the other materials. I do have a wonderful bit of ric-rac for the table, though.

etsy meets name that tune #21

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:25:31 GMT

Come here and play name that tune - all you do is guess the song, leave a comment and be entered to win this month's prize, which is a hand-stamped greeting card. You can leave a comment here or there.

These photos were created using the etsy poster sketch tool. All etsy photos used remain the sole property of their owners, and no infringement is intended. If you wish to have your photo removed from my site, please just comment here or email me at admin@divadea.com, and your wish will be granted post haste.

buffy stuff

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:37:33 GMT

Drabble: prompt "flower"

He touched her hair with his hand, looked her in the eye, and did that amused, smirky, eyebrow-raising thing of his. Didn’t matter what she said. Bloody women never would say what they really felt anyway, would they?

Oh come on, slayer, admit it. I’m a handsome devil, and you want to play.

He was kind of good-looking; too bad about the evil, undead, pain-in-the-ass part.

You’re a moron.

A rose by any other name, pet…

Would what? Stink to high heaven? You’re no rose, Spike. More like a weed. A toxic, infectious weed. Giles, do we have any Roundup?
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tarot of the day

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:51:50 GMT

Tarot Card: Major Arcana, 10. The Wheel of Fortune

Character: Kendra
Upright Meaning: Good fortune and sheer luck. A temporary gain. An opportunity to be seized now before it disappears. Unexpected fortunate coincidences. Positive upheaval.
Reversed Meaning: Bad fortune. Missed opportunity. Needless risk. Resistance to chance. Unexpected interruptions. Difficulties and delays.
Questions: Are you taking advantage of the good things that pass your way? Are you ready to accept an unexpected boost, or are you too bound by routine to notice?
Advice: Accept luck as it comes to you. Seize opportunities, but avoid foolish risk-taking. Realize that whether the luck that just arrived is good or bad, it is almost certainly temporary, because the wheel continues to turn.

My mood was definitely a "world" kind of mood today. Not ecstatic, but that everything-is-possible kind of feeling. Some interesting coincidences happened today. And some things turned out OK that I thought were going to be hassles. So hey, what more could a person want?

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My hand is finally feeling OK enough that I can do some cross-stitching without intense pain, so I started working on the Buffy extravaganza again. What, you say? My entire life is a Buffy extravaganza? Well, some days. Anywho, there are twelve pages of pattern, and I am working on the fourth. The little bits hinting at a face on the left there will eventually be Xander.

purple rose aceos

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:43:43 GMT

A couple of new-ish ACEOs (art cards, editions and originals)

These are made and baked on a playing card and then peeled away. They measure 2.5 by 3.5 inches and are slightly flexible, like rubber (but more fragile than that). The top one was made by cutting a slice of the rose cane while it was still fairly large and then rolling it thin to streeeeetch the pattern. They're both very shimmerry - I love the metallic clays, especially the white.

Etsy listings of these two are here and here.

#20

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 06:27:05 GMT

Come play this week's etsy name that tune. This one is a favorite song of mine. The prize for this month will be a handmade anniversary card.

about the movies

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 06:30:48 GMT

We seem to be watching a lot of movies lately. To be honest, I only half watch them, because I in no way have the patience to sit through a movie without doing anything. So I clay or stamp or do some other crafty thing and only watch about half. Here are my ratings for my recent half-watching of movies.

PS I Love You: 6
I'm not a huge fan of the chick flick. It ended, and I thought, but wait, nothing has happened yet...

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium: 7
The shop owner was a cross between Willy Wonka and the mad hatter. I loved the idea of the movie, but thought it was somewhat dull.

The Golden Compass: 8
This had the feel, much like the Harry Potter movies, of being a movie made from every 20th page of a book, like there was a whole bunch missing. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed it. I love Nicole Kidman and both of the children. I hope the sequel gets made, because I'm interested in the story. And I want to get the book.

Sweeney Todd: 9
It was gross, really gross, which of course is the fault of the story, not the movie. The costuming was wonderful. And the singing was brilliant. No big, brash, obnoxious, front, broadway voices. Good stuff. I loved the little kid. And this is the second movie in which I did not despise Johnny Depp, (The first was Chocolat.) Alan Rickman is beyond lovely. I may even watch this one again.

So...

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:58:24 GMT

Did anyone else fall completely in love with every single character on Swingtown? Or have I now outed myself as a crazy person? I heart the 70s. I just can't help it.

june clay challenge favs

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:58:18 GMT

Thanks to everyone who voted in the PCAGOE June challenge. You can view the winners at our site. Now that the voting is over, here are my personal favorites from the summer vacation theme. I had to go with the jewelry this time.

This is the coral reef ring by saltandpaper, inspired by a trip to St. Croix. I love every piece in this artist's collection.

And this is the polymer clay shell necklace by madeinlowell. Here's her explanation of how it was made: "I created this pendant by finding a beautiful shell then making a mold of it, then casting it in polymer clay. I sanded the piece and drilled a hole so I could hang it from a silicone cord with a sterling jump ring." Amazing. I also think the photography on this one is excellent.

Stay tuned - our next challenge theme will be personal hero. Hmmm, that's going to take some thinking.

well, how cheery

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:08:16 GMT

5 of swords, ace of staves, justice - all inverted

the fool is finished

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:31:02 GMT

The Fool is mixed media tarot art. He (or is it she?) is made primarily of polymer clay, but also has wire limbs, a hand-sewn pouch of all his earthly belongings, and a jester's hat made of felt, stuffed with felt scraps and sewn with embroidery thread. The face is hand-sculpted and made metallic with embossing powder from the stamping supplies pile. The piece measures about 7 by 10 inches.

So, one down, 77 to go...

it's challenge time again

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 07:06:36 GMT

It's time to vote in the PCAGOE June challenge. Our June theme is "summer vacation," and there are 14 gorgeous entries to make you think of summer.

Here's my entry - two clay-covered shot glasses. OK, I admit it - I wandered the house looking for something to cover with clay canework. This seemed a safer option than the cat...

The irony here is that I despise tequila. I've been known to drink almost anything, in all sorts of appalling combinations, but I don't touch tequila with a ten-foot pole. Blech.

But it made the best photo.

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And here are the prize packs. Everyone who votes gets entered in a drawing to win these prizes. Aren't they gorgeous?

Vote for your favorite entry between now and midnight on June 3 at http://pcagoe.com. Thanks!

it's time again

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:41:23 GMT

Name that tune #19 is here. It's an easy one this time. Come guess the song title and be entered in a drawing to win a pair of earrings from my etsy shop. This is the last one for May. You can also still guess songs 16 and 17 here.

best lentil soup ever, really it is

Fri, 30 May 2008 17:03:11 GMT

The best lentil soup ever recipe:

In olive oil, saute 3 large onions, 5 cloves garlic, one bunch of leek leaves and about 1/2 cup cut carrots.

Spice with 1 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1 tsp dry mustard, 1 tsp sage, 1 tsp marjoram, and 1 T coconut oil.

Add 1 bag lentils, 1/2 bag split peas, and 4 cups each vegetable broth and water.

Cook.

Note: I used all fresh vegetables and all organic ingredients. The amounts listed are approximate, as I never measure anything, but they're pretty close.

fred wallpaper

Thu, 29 May 2008 18:59:39 GMT

tarot art started

Thu, 29 May 2008 15:46:18 GMT

I've started my tarot art.

This is the first one, not finished yet (no, my tarot people are not going to be headless). I decided to start with the major arcana and go in order, because I tend to work better with an organized plan. I plan to make them all go together so they can eventually be printed as a deck.

Traditional elements of the card
Mixed media, predominantly polymer clay
About 7 by 10 inches
Name at the bottom in stamped letter tiles
Number in top left corner
Element (earth, water, fire, air) in top right corner
Very colorful and whimsical

This is The Fool. It has the common elements of the card: a person at the edge of a cliff with dog, sunshine, and knapsack of belongings. The air symbol in the top right corner can't really be seen well yet, because it's mica shift and will need to be sanded and buffed to show up properly. The fool's body and the cliff are canework, the water is made with individual snakes of clay, and the background is marbled clay (about 7 colors) with some light texturing.

Still to be completed:

The head (see photo below), which is hand-sculpted and glazed with fine gold embossing powder. I wasn't sure if the powder would get all melty and disastrous, so the head will not be going in oven. Fortunately, the rest can be put in the oven more than once, so pieces can be added, and the whole thing can go back in for baking.
The knapsack, which is going to be a drawstring bag sewn out of fabric with actual stuff in it.
The hat, which I think will be a jester-type hat. I haven't decided on the medium yet - fabric, clay or felt, or some combination of those.
And probably hair. I got some wonderful, colorful fibers but am still pondering the hairdo. Bad hair can ruin a whole piece of art, ya know?

earrings clearance sale

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:32 GMT

It's time for new materials, new designs, new polymer clay goodness.
Thus, DivaDea earrings are on a big clearance sale - $5/pair. See them all here.
Anything that doesn't sell over the next few weeks will be donated. *Waves goodbye to earrings*
I'm always up for a trade, too. Email me.

name that tune

Mon, 26 May 2008 04:47:42 GMT

Two songs to guess HERE. The prize this month is a pair of earrings from the earrings sale:

I have a whole bunch of earrings on sale for $5/pair. I'm trying to clear them out and make room for more polymer clay goodness. They're all fun, chunky, dangly types.

oh my goodness grey's anatomy

Fri, 23 May 2008 04:15:14 GMT

I haven't watched it this season at all, not one episode, until tonight. And of course I was sucked right back in. Has the whole season been this exciting? Oy. We watched the rest on DVD and are waiting for this season to end and come out on DVD to watch it. Fortunately, I don't care about spoilery. Actually, I often enjoy a book or show better if I know what's going to happen. What does that say about me?