Weekend Links : The Alphabet

The alphabet, she inspires me.
And even though I have a leg up in that department, here are a few prime ways for everyone to have fun with all 26 letters.

Small fabric scraps can be used make a fabric alphabet, which is not only a fun learning toy (I love these big letters for toddlers, or smaller, magnetic ones for new spellers), but the letters can also be clipped to a ribbon and used for a birthday banner or bedroom name bunting.

You could also make a leaf alphabet. It's just about the perfect craft right now if you live somewhere with changing leaves. I have always appreciated creative alphabet books, and this project reminds me of Eric Carle.

Another thing that might be fun to attempt on your own, Garret Steider created a food alphabet, with prints available to decorate your kitchen and entertain your guests.

If you aren't in a crafty mood, but would still love to decorate with letters, whip out the cardstock and try these well designed free printables!

Finally, this fantastic alphabet montage might just shoot creativity straight into your mind.

More alphabet fun:
homemade alphabet pretzels 
 food alphabet on etsy
animal alphabet on etsy
whimsical German alphabet on etsy

(And if you're in the mood for reminiscing, why not watch everyone's favorite giant yellow bird being ridiculous? If you didn't watch Sesame Street as a child, this video is a very important part of your cultural education.)

Beneath the Clemson Spineless...a Tiny Turtle.

A couple of months ago, when we were uprooting the old amaranth bed, we found a dozen of what we thought were snake eggs.

We relocated them under the okra, but I forgot...and when I went to plant the spaghetti squash I found this little guy.

The last one to hatch. 

I think the fire ants scarred him a bit, and may have gotten to a sibling or two.

He was groggy, until I put him in the water.

Only a puddle really.

Then he swam like the expert he was born to be.

We set him free.

The Hardest Part of My Job is Remembering All of the Acronyms

The summer that has passed feels like both an entire year and only few days, depending on how I think about it. Of all of the summer adventures, the most significant was starting my job as an environmental scientist.

     It began with two days of training to detail how the company is structured and the different safety standards in place, and has continued with bits and pieces (and large chunks) of training ever since. As it turns out, working for an environmental consulting firm means you have to be familiarized with--and certified in--a lot of areas, and even cleared with homeland security.

Among other courses this summer, I took the 40 HAZWOPER (HAardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) course.

Here I am in HAZWOPER training doning type A protective equipment…minus gloves.

Not only did I learn about different chemical hazards, transportation standards, and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), but I also discovered that the best way for me to remain attentive throughout a day long course is to doodle mehndi type designs. 

After the first day I decided I might as well make cards.

So look out, they may be coming to a mailbox near you.

Though some of the training can be monotonous, it is really nice to know our company puts such a priority on our safety. Also, both on site and within the office my coworkers and my supervisor have been simply splendid. I often feel as though I am on a semester abroad or on an internship because everyone puts in such effort to explain the things I have not encountered before, and is so patient with my shortcomings.

Green 360 cones ensure we inspect our vehicles all the way around before driving away.

For the first couple of months I worked mostly in the office, and now I’ve been working about 2/3 of the time on a particular project out in the field. Initially, my primary task was to do paperwork in our temporary little office. (And between the paperwork I have been reading lots of books, some of which I will later recommend for a post-summer reading list.)

I do paperwork with gloves on, yes siree.

During the more than two months we have been working on this site I have also been learning some about project management, making budgets (BIG budgets) and submitting proposals to clients. As you can see our PPE in this area is pretty basic (no type A suits or Nomex gear), which has been nice considering the heat of up to 102°F (real degrees, not just the “feels like”), though it has for the most part been only 96 or 98°F.

As an additional benefit, we get to see cows…

I wave to  them and say hello every morning.

They really are pleasant. 

If I could I would serenade them like these fellows do.

(Lucy gets the credit for finding this video and knowing how much I would enjoy it.)

The site also has alligators and water moccasins, but the cows are more fun.

So what's been keeping you busy?

What new twists and turns has your life been taking lately?

Weekend Links: Batik-Mehndi-Paisley

Sister Batik on etsy 

I have always loved batik. So, when we were in Wisconsin and had a library system which allowed access to virtually any book, I thought I would learn a bit more about the history of saris.

The Sari: Styles, Patterns, History, Technique

Historically, the designs and colors on saris would denote the region they were from (a little like a tartan), and sometimes would include symbolic designs that might be chosen for special events. Machine printed fabrics are easier to make, of course, so they are popular now and usually the designs are chosen only to be pretty. Hand-dyed or beaded fabrics still take the cake in my opinion.

Back in the day, paisley was Europe's interpretation of the beautiful designs they had seen on Indian saris. So, ever since I read the book I have been thinking about that, and trying to come up with my own interpretation when I doodle. The latest was on an Easter egg. A batik of sorts.

I thought it was pretty good for a crayon....but I was humbled when I saw these amazing Mehndi inspired cookies by a baker named Fiona on Flickr (found via Epheriell Designs). Apparently they were just whipped up for a party, but I think they would make splendid wedding favors or cake replacements.

Really beautiful.

Now I think I need to work on those doodling skills a bit more. But in the meantime, if I were going to go into pottery, fabric making, or perhaps decorate a room, I would choose a few of the hand carved stamps from amandajames1 on etsy, who has a collection of antique Indian designs.

    

I might yet choose one (someday) and just use it on my handwritten correspondance.

Thinking about the heritage of beautiful designs in India made me wonder what kinds of lovely traditions have been passed down in other countries, and perhaps lost where industry has taken over. 

Do you have any heirlooms in your family that would be a good example of a heritage craft from your mother country (or the country of your ancestors)? 

Have you learned any of those arts from a relative?

I lace making and doilies might qualify...perhaps I should learn.

  Dolce Crochet on etsy

May Desktop Links

I love finding good sources of desktop wallpapers, and lately I have been on a calendar kick. Need something new for May? I have a few options for you...

First is TüTsrus, where you can find a number of Adobe tutorials, has a smattering of May wallpapers from artists around the world. With 30 to choose from, you're bound to find something to make you smile...or if they all make you smile you could use one each day! (Yes, May has 31 days, but it's already May 3rd.)

Or, if you would rather think about in season food, visit the blog Chocolate & Zucchini and grab the wall paper they offer on the first of every month. While you're there you will also find some neat food tips, including the recent How not to Cry, which concerns onions. I don't know about you, but I will be trying their tip out. Last week I said to Nathanael, "If anything other than onions put me in pain every day I wouldn't stand for it."

If you want something chill and simple, check out MonkeyManWeb on Flickr, where you can already find jewel toned desktop wallpapers for each month of 2011.

And finally, if you aren't really into the calendar, but want a steady source of wallpapers that will raise your eyebrow, check out The Desktop Wallpaper Project from The Fox Is Black; a design blog where a wallpaper from a different artist is shared for free at least each week, and occasionally every day. Some are colorful, some are crazy, some are even emo. Flipping through the site is like visiting a gallery...I could get stuck on it for hours. (More of my favorites from their collection: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

Have you come across any neat wallpaper websites lately?

Weekend links: A Mix

Some of you might have noticed the absence of my weekend links feature over the last few weeks. The primary problem was that I couldn't decide upon a theme, and the secondary problem was that I was probably gardening!
   So, despite it being Monday, I want to share with you an eclectic selection of things I just couldn't keep to myself.

For the Artsy

 

Psyko Paint allows you to turn an existing photo or blank canvas into a painting using a variety of different texture brushes. With no sign up or program download necessary you can use it as a fun distraction or a serious art form depending on your time constraints. I turned a photo of Nathanael walking through a parking lot into the picture above...it's not genius but I only had a few minutes. Even if you don't try it out flipping through the galleries of works submitted by others is worthwhile.

For the Bookish

Over at Lemon Squeezy, Sharon has created some really fun fox bookmarks which you can print for free! There is even a neat pattern to print on the back. I don't have a printer, but if I did these would find their way into my cookbooks and the other books I'm reading lickety-split! (Picture from Lemon Squeezy.)

For the EcoNut

I am a fan of fungus. In general it is essential to ecosystems, occasionally it is tasty, but starting soon it will also protect your computer during shipping. Dell recently announced their adoption of Ecocradle Mushroom® Packaging.

 This alternative to Styrofoam is, of course, biodegradable (use as mulch is encouraged), and can be grown in just a few days without the use of petrochemicals. Ecovative also designs building insulation from mycelium materials. Photos from Ecovative. 

For the Traveler

The Market from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo documents a bit of a day in the Maeklong Market in Bangkok. Not only is a beautiful and colorful walk through the stands, it also shows one thing that makes this market a bit different. Read the short write up Terje wrote about it on his page, and then check out some of his other glimpses of the world.

Aren't these exciting finds?
What fantastic things have you discovered lately?

Weekend Links: For artists of every caliber

As some of you may have noticed, this week I added a brightly colored button in the right column linking to a blog I stumbled upon lately and thought some of you might enjoy.

All Sewn Up is written by a Mom named Melissa (not my sister, but another fun lady by the same name) from Massachusetts, who shares tips she uses to make her household more environmentally friendly and frugal, as well as some occasional recipes and craft how-tos for old and young.

She also has a fun All Sewn Up etsy shop where she sells colorful, non-toxic, olive oil dough to encourage the imaginations of kids who love to play with dough. She's developed a recipe which is a little more advanced than your typical salt-dough, leaves your hands smooth and soft, and requires no refrigeration! Go check out Melissa's neat shop!



This weekend I also want to share with you some links I've found lately, which will be especially fun for those of you who love fiddling around with interactive websites. And even if you don't typically consider yourself an artist, these links just might draw a little skill out of you. (I found the first two on the blog How About Orange?, and the last one I found on my own.)

Tartan Maker allows you to create the plaid of your dreams by moving just four little knobs and choosing three colors. And for those of us who are as distractible as a goldfish, it's hours of fun!

Design your own Wallpaper by x3 studios is perfect for those of us who fill most of our browser's "bookmarks" with places to find neat wallpapers. With intuitive controls (and no registration necessary!), you are enabled to create desktops to suit your style and color preferences, whether they be simple, modern, sophisticated, neon, or grunge. The four examples above are from the gallery featuring other users, but I did come up with my own creation using this website...the header for the blog!

 Pancake Week by Boris Kustodiyev

The Emerald Necklace by Viktor Borisov

Finally, for the want-to-be globe trotter who has no funds, the most famous art museums of the world at your fingertips. Google Art Project allows you to go on virtual tours of museums, click on the most popular works and view them in minute detail (even closer than you would be allowed to get in person), and also has information about the artists, collections, and related works in an information bar on the right. It is a work in progress, but so far 17 museums, and hundreds of paintings, are up for viewing. The two I chose, Pancake Week by Boris Kustodiyev, and The Emerald Necklace by Viktor Borisov, are from The State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow; a museum I visited during my semester abroad. Click them, and be amazed by the unbelievable detail which is yours to view.



Yes, google may be taking over the world, but we love it, don't we?

I made some things.

Yesterday Nathanael and I went out to the garden to finish up some things we hadn't had the chance to complete during our busy Saturday. We made a few new rows, but it has been to dry to break the soil appropriately for planting (i.e. the soil is concrete), so I was writing some seed names on stakes, which required me to reference the seeds. About then, Nathanael and I both realized our seeds were just too disorganized. As you can see below, they were neither functional or manageable, but more or less in two large piles (though not spilling during transportation, which is a plus).

Thus, I decided that today's project would be solving this problem. I got a box (one of many from our move and the packages we receive from family), tore all of the labels off of it and went to work. As you may begin to notice, I never actually use scrapbooking paper for creating scrapbooks, but I love to use it to decorate. After adorning the box I used some cardstock (leftover from creating our wedding invitations believe it or not--though we only used the yellow for that) to create tabs, and voila! A recipe-box-like seed organizer.

 

Nathanael and I are both pretty excited about how much easier this will make our planting times. 

Also this week, I decided to make use of some of the blue jeans I have been collecting and make a thick, durable potholder. Nathanael's old black Singer sewing machine is pretty powerful to make it through all of these layers! Some parts of it required some seam-ripping and redesigning as I went, but I am pretty happy with the finished product and it is now listed in my shop. (See link at top left for shop listing and larger versions of the potholder pictures.)

 And finally, remember the rice bags I made at Christmas time? One of my friends really liked them and commisioned me to make one so she could use it instead of a heating pad for her TMJ. And since the rice bag has no plastic parts, it's a great way to reduce the footprint of an ailment. Here's what I created for her...

(The pictures taken on my jungle table cloth are of the rice bag before I filled it with some local popcorn rice.) I put some other little edible treats in the box too, because if you're going to pay for shipping, why not make it delicious, right?

Have you guys been creating or renovating anything this week?