all my life I’ve struggled with finishing things — be it missing the last day I was going to a particular school, attending graduation at University (but at the time it was NOT a cool thing to go to grad, my mother was in the hospital and I was leaving the UK for a job).  Finishing off quilts and other projects is all part of that pattern, hence my collection of UFOs.  But I’ve joined the Joy in the New Year challenge and with Jacquie and 200 other crafters cheering me on I’ll get there.

The Star is Born baby quilt challenge is due absolutely no later than the Guild meeting in early December (the original deadline was last Tuesday, didn’t happen).  I can’t show photos because I’m under a gag order, that’s part of the challenge.  However just before I turn it in I might post some of the What was I thinking? blocks

Next up will be Geode, because it’s been untouched for years and when I took it out the other night I can see just a little more design is needed and a lot of the parts are in fact already constructed.  I will need to tape it up on the living room wall, step back, take pix and perhaps even print them to audition what the best design is.  I’ve already decided this will be quilted by someone with a long arm, since it’s easily queen size.

The wordle above is a new wrinkle.  I already posted about wordle here, but while surfing yesterday I found this cool tutorial about a feature enhancement.  Yay, Cool Cotton Cocktails!  This automatically creates a wordle from recent posts on any blog or website.  So you could do your own or you could wordle somebody else’s.  Interesting that the only colour names I can find (but I could be mistaken, it’s been known to happen!)  are green, white, and burgundy.

Cotton Cocktails explains how to grab a wordle in a screenprint but this computer is getting to the stage in its lifecycle where I don’t want to download much more in the way of programming, so I simply scanned and uploaded a print of my wordle.

I’m going to paste the original print out into my sketchbook.  That’s a whole other post in itself.  More art/creativity/fibre things happen in my life than I can keep up with in the blogosphere.  Anyone else have that problem?  I have a folder full of blog fodder pix on my pc and paper notes as well and yet work and life and the need to complete things get in the way.

What do YOU think?  Is the unblogged life not worth living, to twist a quotation?

I had these earrings once that I got from the hippie store in the mall (you know, robust patchoulli scent, the caveman cashier looks like be can rip up some bongos, the Bob Marley belt buckles are under a glass case, etc.) but they were carved from wood and one broke. I was eternally sad. Until one day at the craft store I was looking at the huge plethora of Sculpey colors, and thought, “Shit son! I can make those earrings myself!” (I may or may not have said this out loud.) So here is my sad attempt-

I was strangely attracted to this color. it’s called pale pistachio.

(dress- Old Navy $10
bird necklace- Forever 21 $6
geode necklace- antique store $8)

there is really only one thing you need to know about today
and it is the color
of moss
bleached sea green
hanging from skeleton trees off the highway
against slate blue skies
on the drive home

then there’s also the part about the tuk tuk steamboat
putt-putting along the perimeter
of breitenbush spiral tubs
great birthday spectacle
naked strangers
cheering the tiny tin boat on
unwilling to leave
because we all want to believe in it

and there’s something about how we take turns
taking the 10 pound barbell
to the geode
ripping holes in old socks and hankies
destroying cinderblocks
splitting stones

were you there too
you would have seen/heard
shannon and i
holding out our arms
around corners
of the four-mile forest river hike
white sky fabric ripped open
whoosh of pretend airplane noises
pushed out our mouths

and the great housemate clothing swap
where we dress as each other
for halloween
laughing so goddamn hard
at new versions of ourselves
we’re not sure if the costumes
are for anyone but us

and i haven’t even mentioned
lola in the tux
pink ruffles
perfect mix of gentleman and cupcake
singing happy birthday
and handing over
brown paper wrapped collective gift
i’m agape
and wishing for rain tomorrow

thirty four
the year
of momentum
carried on the back
of a pony
nested in glitter
thirty four
the year of tin boat journies
thirty four
the year of a heart so full
it just keeps rolling in
magic
heat
joy
glitter
like salted ocean waves
endless

Here’s Alex modeling his Geode Bas Relief Hat (and his threadless t-shirt too, as it turned out) in front of Okra’s in Old Town Manassas last weekend.  I think it looks lovely on him, and he seems to like it too.  Yay!

Geode Bas Relief

Astral travel can be enhanced by working with crystals and their vibrational field levels during your session. But where do you start and how to they help? There are many different suggestions for this, as well as different ones will resonate within different people and their energy fields.

A good place to start is by working with the crystals you enjoy the most. If you are not sure where to start, go with your intuition and follow your gut instincts as they will not steer you wrong.

A wonderful way to work with them in astral travel and meditation sessions are in geode form. The best ones I have come across that have the highest energy vibrational level are clear quartz, amethyst, citrine and calcite. It is best to work with just one type of crystal within the geode, but you can combine them in your circles if you wish. The energy field will be a combination of the different types and will have them make a weaving type of pattern within the energy field. This is a very unique type of field to work within, but may not always be the best, as opposed to a single type of stronger vibrational field you would receive with just one type of geode.

During your astral travel session, surround yourself with as many geodes as possible, in a circle, or alternating the type of crystal found within. The more the better, and even if they are small, the geodes still put out a lot of vibrational fields for you to work within!

For more information, online courses, programs, healing and much more visit us at http://www.healingartforms.com

Many Blessings

and Love and Light

Nicole Lanning

Melissa, my Mom and I went to the Buffalo Science museum while we were home last week for the BodyWorlds exhibit.  I’ll have more on that experience but that will have to wait for a later post.  On our way out we stopped at the Museum gift shop because I always have to stop at a gift shop.   Gift shops of all sorts are like a drug to me.  What better way to remember a experience whether it be bad or good than an overpriced piece of garbage you’ll probably throw out  a week later after you’ve lost interest in it.

The Buffalo Science Museum hasn’t changed very much since I used to take field trips in elementary school and that includes the gift shop.  They still had a nice selection of those hand held plastic kaliada scopes of which I bought  in the 4Th grade on a trip there.  I tried to control myself in the shop, after all I’m an adult now and I need to resist walking out there with a stuffed dinosaur.

One thing I did notice were a box of uncut geode rocks for about $2.00 a piece.  I love geodes.  When I was younger I went to a geological rock show with my Uncle Chuck and cousin Dave (Dad went but he just hung out by the pop machines.  Gemstones didn’t interest him as much as a can of Pepsi).  Uncle chuck bought me my first geode and cut it in half at his place.  When I saw the crystals I though I hit the geological mother load of expensive stones.  Thinking Melissa would like to have the same experience finding the treasure that lay inside these rocks I bought a few for us.

For those going “what the hell is a geode?”  here’s a link.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geode.  Notice the amazing crystals that have developed over the millions of years.

Since I’m lacking in the expensive rock cutting tools….and tools in general my geode cutting skills were that of a drunken caveman.  I ended up hitting the rock with a hammer sending shrapnel all over the basement.  But that’s what basements are for after all aren’t they?  Doing stupid shit.

Finally after taking several rough chunks to the body I went to plan “B” and wrapped the geode up in a old shirt THEN hit it with a hammer. Chimps can adapt and use tools researches have found so now you can add Eric to that list of advances creatures.  

After a few whacks of the hammer I split the geode open revealing the beautiful crystals that….lay…..inside? 

 What the hell?  I’ve had cracked open my fair share of these over the years and granted every one isn’t museum quality but they aren’t supposed to look like regular plain old rocks.

I’m no geologist but this geode blows.  Not sure if ”blows” is a geological terms but like I said I’m no geologist.   The worst part was Melissa getting depressed there weren’t any “sparkly rocks” as I’d promised they’re would be once they got broken open.  And anyone knows Melissa knows that if your promise “sparkly rocks” and don’t deliver there’s going to be hell to pay.

If you’re in Minx this weekend, make sure to check out the jewelry in the front counter case.  There are some beautiful pieces in there and they are all marked down 40%.

Someone please buy that gorgeous, turquoise-colored geode cocktail ring, now a steal at $90.60.  It’s too small for me and it is torturous for me to look at it anymore…  Please, I beg you, put me out of my misery…

Stay tuned for an upcoming Atlanta Market post…

Little spaces in my room with little things.

[Extra Ketchup] has a couple Neoware thin clients and thought they would make a good robotics platform. It’s a Geode based board that came with Windows CE. He built a small Gentoo system to fit on the 130MB solid state drive. He likes the idea of using it as a platform because the board has serial, parallel, and USB support. The best part is shown above; it can run off of just 4 AA’s.

Here is another one of my finds from the Austin Bead Market last Saturday.  One of the vendors had some beautiful Druzy Agate Geode slices.  I couldn’t pass them up.  I love the combination of crystalization and interesting colors and patterns that nature provided.  Here is a close up of the gorgeous slice:

The completed necklace includes 2 different shapes of Silver Leaf Jasper beads, black leather, and sterling silver ends and clasp.  I think the jasper really pick up all of the colors of the geode.  Here is a pic of the whole necklace:

You can purchase this beautiful, “Slice of Earth”  necklace in my shop:  www.sarascreations.etsy.com

Compiling geode from CVS – had configure fail with

XORG_RELEASE_VERSION: command not found

Was lacking xorg-util-macros package.

While I’m progressing on Robert’s kilt hose, I thought I might write a few words about some different variegated yarns I’ve been trying out lately.  All are slow-color-change varieties, by several companies.

First I’ll mention Geode by Berroco.  -  -  -  -

A 50% wool/50% acrylic single.

Delightful colors.  Only began to repeat color-sequence near the end of the ball.

Nice feel — perhaps a little “squeaky” on the plastic Bryspun needle I used with it some of the time.

I don’t think it will resist pilling very well over time, because it’s so loosely spun and soft.

-

And then there’s Matsuri by Noro.  -  -  -  -

Matsuri is an 87% cotton/13% wool braided 3(?)-ply.

Interesting feel to this.  Not very elastic — that’s the cotton.  But I like it.

I discovered, as the colors moved from green to maroon to orange etc., that the cotton underpinning remained constant; it’s the fluffy wool bits braided into it that change.

Here’s a close-up of 2 “Color 5″ balls.  Four different over-colors, all atop a yellow-orange base.  (Other colorways have green or lilac base-braids).

I have also tried Poems by Wisdom Yarns.  -  -  -  -

A 100% wool single.

Very soft and lofty; very not-durable.

After knitting a few rows, I didn’t think this one would hold up at all well to any abrasion, so I decided on a felted project.  The yarn fulls nicely, but the red and/or purple dyes bleed (alot!) in the hot water.

It feels nice while working, but I don’t think I’ll be using it again.

-

-

Just this past week, I pulled out a ball of Boku by Plymouth Yarns to try.  -  -  -  -

An 95% wool/5% silk blend single.  Colors more muted.

This yarn is much more coarse (and sturdy) than either Poems or Geode.  It’ll definitely be more durable than either of those two yarns, but would probably be better as outerwear or accessory than as an against-the-skin garment.  After washing, it may soften up — we’ll see.

Would you believe:  I have yet to try Noro Kureyon or Silk Garden.  I have a ball of the latter; also 2 skeins of Silver Thaw.  More fun ahead!

“La Géode est un bâtiment en forme de… géode“

I promise this is the last one! I had to share this beautiful cuff from Devon Leigh-LA’s “hot jewelry designer”. There are earrings and a pendant to match for your next red carpet event.

I am a little confused about the difference between this agate and the geode that I have in my home. They certainly look similar.

Vendredi 20 mars, 15h30. Je suis dans l’avion. Direction ma chère patrie, la France. Et plus particulièrement sa si belle Capital : PARIS !

Un mois et demi que je n’ai pas respiré l’air de mon pays. Je n’aurais jamais cru que ça m’aurait autant manqué.

Le vol se passe sans encombre et à la sortie de l’aéroport, un soleil rayonnant de fin de journée me réchauffe le visage. Mon cousin me récupère en voiture, il est pile à l’heure. Quel plaisir de lui parler de visu, la webcam c’est bien mais ça ne remplace pas les vrai contacts !

Nous arrivons sans encombre après un peu d’attentes sur le périphérique. Ces Parisien sont vraiment nombreux à l’heure de pointe.

Le début de soirée est assez calme. Mais vers 22h, nous appelons un taxi, direction le quartier d’affaire Parisien : La défense. Nous nous équipons, appareil photo, trépieds, guitare, daiquiri. La nuit s’annonce bien.

Une fois arrivé devant l’arche, je reste d’abord subjugué par ce complexe architectural. Mon meilleur ami ne saurait plus ou regarder et je me demande ce qu’il pourra bien penser de toutes ces constructions lui qui étudie l’archi !

Finalement, mon cousin me dit de le suivre, et nous empruntons des chemins de traverse. Pour atterrir… sur le toit d’un hall d’exposition. Simplement hallucinant. La vue est magnifique. Je prends quelques photos, histoire de m’amuser un peu. Pendant ce temps la guitare fait chanter ses cordes et nos voix se mêlent. Quel pied ! Le daiquiri aidant nous ne chantons pas trop faux.

Nous passons environ 2H sur ce toit. A chanter, à danser, à photographier, à déguster… à vivre tout simplement.

Mais il se fait tard. Nous rentrons à pieds, ce qui n’est pas la solution la plus simple mais les voyages forment la jeunesse comme dit l’expression. Par contre au bout d’une heure et demi j’en avais plein le … dos… !

Le lendemain nous retrouvons nos parents au centre ville. Nous nous baladons autour du Louvre. Le temps est superbe, le printemps semble être déjà arrivé ici. Contrairement à la Slovaquie ou il neige en permanence. Nous mangeons tous ensemble le soir. C’est vraiment agréable de voir mes proches. Ils m’avaient manqués !

Nous repartons vers 00h. Mais nous arrêtons au parc des expositions de Versailles. Direction un parking avec une vue imprenable sur la tour Eiffel. Nous prenons quelques clichés et rentrons, un peu crevé. Un peu crevé certes, mais des souvenirs plein la tête. Je savais que j’avais bien fait de venir ici !

La fin du week-end se passe tranquillement, dimanche après-midi autour du canal Saint-Martin, avec une petite pause au Café du Nord (vous connaissez certainement la réplique célèbre : « atmosphère, atmosphère. Est-ce que j’ai une gueule d’atmosphère ? » Et bien elle fût tourné dans cette hôtel).

Lundi 23 mars, 12h35. Je suis dans les temps pour mon vol pour Viennes. J’attendais ce week-end avec impatience et il est déjà terminé. Comme quoi les gens qui disent que le temps est un facteur incompressible se trompent, ils passent toujours plus vite quand il est bon !

Mais ça, ce n’est un secret pour personne.

A suivre…

PS : C’est moi que j’ais pris les photos,… et ouais !!

]]> http://acentocircunflexo.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/amd-x-intel/ Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:43:58 +0000 aluado http://acentocircunflexo.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/amd-x-intel/ http://julietteteste.wordpress.com/2009/03/23/leve-toi-et-marche/ Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:51:02 +0000 Juliette http://julietteteste.wordpress.com/2009/03/23/leve-toi-et-marche/