Filed under: Posts, project, video | Tags: graphic design, Mousetimes.com, projects, sewing, the big bang theory
Project 9 / 52 is done. Bliss level: eh. As I have said before, I’m not fan of “graphic design” due to the constricting factor. But, nevertheless, it feels good to finally finish it. I think the one thing that makes this kind of art difficult is that sometimes in an effort to create a certain look, you, well, fail. And, someone, has to be the one point that out. Friends don’t let friends produce crappy art. Is it worse to be the one failing one or the one who has to be the one to tell the other one they failed? It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt my feelings…ha, they never believe it, but it’s true. What? Am I typically sensitive or something? Me, noooo. Constructive criticism is the key to success. No one ever wants to here it, but in the long run, they’ll thank you for it.
I’m a little perturbed by all of the white space. I know “white space” can have powers of good or evil depending how you lay it out. I just can’t decide, in this case: friend or foe? I’m still awaiting my final round of feed back so, who knows, it may be updated. But, as for now, it’s done. Done. Done. Done!
This week has been hectic. This week? It’s only Tuesday! I can only foresee more chaos. Short staffed, behind in paperwork, assistant manager not faxing third page of supply order, among other things. What really amazes me the most is that, with today’s economy and lack of job market, I can’t find any reliable employees! People want money, but they don’t want to work. I don’t get it.
Anyway, rambling about work is NOT the purpose of this blog so, getting back on track now. So, I’ve done an official head count: 6 more classes! 6 classes, that’s it. Project Athena (school) begins June 21st. I’ve been advised to start with one class during the summer because summer classes are “intense”. That’s what I’m told, and I’ll take their word for it. And being that 1/6 is going to be Political Science, it’s probably best to just focus on that one class. Politics is not so much my thing. I mean, as you know, I don’t really know what my thing is, but I know what it’s not!
In an attempt to not drive myself crazy with all of this finding myself shinanigans, I have become seriously addicted to The Big Bang Theory. It’s been on for a few seasons, but, I have a hold of seasons 1 and 2 on DVD and have watched them all! And am now I’m trying to keep up with season 3. It’s like the “nerd friendly” version of Friends.
But, before you enjoy a clip of the latest episode…
Project 10…yes, folks, I finally hit the double digits, of 52 is….
TAKE THE PILE OF CLOTHES THAT NEED TO BE ALTERED AND ALTER THEM.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: aaron brothers, alice in wonderland, camille rose garcia, cinderella, mary blair, pigma, sewing, walt disney museum
Sunday, Valentine’s Day, my boyfriend took me to the Walt Disney Museum! This generated a lot of inspiration for me. How can whole building of Film, Animation and Disney, not? I recommend this museum for anyone who likes Disney, animation, film, and history, even just a little.
Along with Disney’s work, there was also an exhibit of one of my favorite artists, Mary Blair. Here, is another WordPress blog with some of her work and a some background information. 
According to Dinsey Legends, Mary Blair, brought mondern art to the Walt Disney Studios. You can see her art work and influence in numerous Golden Books, and the most popular ride in Disneyland, It’s A Small World; I love that ride! Some of my favorite artwork, by Blair, can found in these two Golden Books, Alice and Wonderland and Cinderella. I’m pretty sure I owned those at some point in my childhood. I love the art and how it’s simple yet expressive; dark and illuminous; childlike yet classic.
This got me to think about another one of my favorite artists, Camille Rose Garcia. Growing up in Orange County, Walt Disney also became one of her artistic influences. However, her illustrations are more “dark and creepy.” She’s a lowbrow artist….that’s what they do…I enjoy it equally as much as Blair’s style.
She has also just released a her version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Looking for that picture, I came across this blog: Upon a Midnight Dreary. If you like Lowbrow art, and just creepy mysterious things in general, you will like that blog; there is even a countdown for how many days until Halloween; awesome.
The most amazing thing about my weekend, well I should say 3rd most amazing thing (first was museum, V-day dinner at Kincaids, second) was that I hemmed my pants! My Nona would have been so proud. The hem on the right side had come undone and unfolded, so it need to be hemmed back up. I had to re-do it a couple of times but, finally got it the point of “not embarrassing” which is a really high point considering my level of sewing skills. Yay me.
As for my current project, a “Pop Culture Collage”, I have to put it on hold. I sketched a whole picture, which I intended to ink last night, so that, today, I could paint it and add in the collage pieces. But, my 005 Pigma pen was out of ink and the others I had were too thick. So, I did what any logical, determined artist would do and I went to the Art Store to buy another one. Unfortunately, the only art store in San Mateo is Aaron Brothers. All of their individual Pigmas were on sale for .99cents and there were no black pens left. I asked about it and I was told this:
“We’re no longer carrying individuals anymore because they seem to be making their way into people’s pockets too easily, so we’re switching to packages only”
Really? Maybe, things get stolen because every time I go in to that store, the employees are huddled in a corner somewhere having a pow-wow.
Anyway, I responded “well that sucks if you only want one.” She said “I know” and gave me a “sympathetic” face. Why do I have I a feeling I was being patronized? Oh, wait, because I was.
FOILED! Packages are $17.99. I couldn’t justify spending 20 bucks just because I needed one pen. Sorry. So, I’m moving on to my next project, since, I’m behind already.
Dear Imaginary Readers,
I’m amazed by this new sewing machine I bought on Black Friday! The thing actually winds the bobbin for me and threads the needle! Whoa. Amazing. It’s like I don’t have to do anything. Well, except when it comes to the actual sewing part. I am realizing how ambitious this “52 Projects” project idea really is. The last time I sewed anything was when my Nona was still here. We sat at her vintage sewing machine (the one I use as a desk now) and tried to hem my work pants. That machine is extremely powerful; industrial strength and I’m not exaggerating, as I often sometimes do. The second I would step on the pedal, the hem of my pants would take of like a rocket and my whole body would thrust forward as if I had just experienced inertia during a roller coaster ride. Okay, okay, that was exaggeration. The point is, though, I had no control. Every time the seam was completely crooked and my Nona would say “no, no, do again” and then she would take here little seam cutter and rip ’em open. In the end, I just let her do them for me.
When she passed away, I wanted that sewing machine. I knew deep down I would never be able to use it but, I guess it was like I was taking that perfectionism my Nona had, that need to do things and do them right, with me, into my living room; all 200 lbs of it. I remember her making me so many things on that machine. That yellow skirt, that wish now I had kept, and outfits for Bunbun (my beloved stuffed bunny I took every where). Every time, I was over her house, she was at the sewing machine, with her giant scissors and massive jar of miscellaneous buttons. And now those items are in my house. Yeah, I don’t need giant scissors or 1000 buttons but, I just like that they’re there, okay.
I have started my first project from Sew Liberated (the book). I picked the first one, and the easiest one. I admit I was intimidated by all the rest and don’t have money to go out buy new material anyway; this particular project can be made from scraps. The first real step is to sew 2 1/2 ” by 1-10″ pieces of material together. This will make one really long strip. I was on a roll until I realized I had to do, what I just did, about 7 more times. Sigh. Hopefully, I have enough scraps! I’m kind scrounging, so when you see the picture of it, when I’m done, because I WILL finish it, it will not be “aesthetically pleasing” as Meg suggests to make it, in the book. That is my disclaimer (I make a lot of those, I know). Since, I’m new to sewing I don’t really care if things look pretty or not anyway, I just want get some practice in.
Well, I’m off to sew!
Talk to you soon,
Christine
PS
I take that back. I was able to sew a pair of pillow cases I made from some cloth napkins that were my Nona’s. I sewed them on her sewing machine, at my house, but it took me forever because like I said, that machine is really hard for me to use! I forgot about those. Here are some pictures of them. I think these are actually pretty!!
missionbliss.wordpress.com 