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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

One Girl Bicycle Club



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Today I was excited to receive my One-Girl Bicycle Club zines in the mail. I just sat down with a cup of tea and read through all four issues.

This was my first time reading a zine, and now I'm intrigued. I love the freedom, honesty, raw emotions, and bravery that I found in Sonya's writing. I can relate to many topics that she talks about in her zine from college to driving, and making/keeping friends to getting out of your house. I enjoyed the progression from zine one to four, and the growth Sonya has done before my eyes in a few pages.

She has definitely inspired me to try my hand at making a zine, even if no one should ever read it, just for me to chronicle this time in my life. Sonya wrote a blog post on the benefits of writing a zine that's a must read.

A few of my favorite quotes from One-Girl Bicycle Club:

"Basically, I don't know how to function as an adult." Issue 4

"I want to be a maker of things. I don't want to work under people- I want to work for me..." Issue 3

"...but what if I need two copies of Bitch magazine and a book..." Issue 2

"Feminerdism (that's a word now)" Issue 1

There are so many more, but I guess you'll have to pick up your own copy! Also,check out all the rad playlists.

Do you read zines? Write zines? I'd love to check them out, leave a link in the comments.

Also, check Sonya out here: Blog Etsy Twitter

***This is a repost from my old  Wordpress Blog ****

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

44/52

This is best picture I got of Amelia in a birthday hat at her cousins birthday lunch this weekend. She wore it for the majority of the time, tried birthday cake, and played games with her dad. Pretty soon it will be time for her own birthday party!

She's walking like a pro, but refuses to wear shoes and is sleeping in her crib. She is also starting to say words like 'thank you' and 'ok'. She cracks me up with all her funny faces.

What theme was your first birthday party? The first one I remember was Strawberry Shortcake. We plan on doing a My Little Pony Friendship is Magic theme for Amelia's.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Niche Itch

Leslie from Leslie IRL recently did a post about finding out who you are on the internet. She had some really interesting questions to help you discover your niche. Some of the questions were super hard for me to answer, and really made me think.

It is quite the challenge to express who you really are on the internet, and easy to go with the flow of what everyone else is doing. I really like the metaphors she used, "What is your digital t-shirt? How do you decorate your e-bedroom wall? And where exactly is the proverbial lunch room of cyberspace?"

I challenge you to take the time to answer these questions and find your niche or answer them just for fun!

Here are my niche itch answers:

1. What is one of your favorite words, that you have never heard any one else that you know of describe themselves as?
5 by 5. Faith from Buffy the Vampire Slayer always says this, and for the longest time I didn't know what it meant.

2. If someone was to search for your blog in Google, and you could rank on the first page for 5 keywords, what would they be?

Kawaii, Dolls, Geeky, Handmade, Whimsical

3. What is your favorite adjective? Especially one to describe the way a person is.

Cute. I can't stop saying it, and everything is cute to me. My husband even says it now. 

4. Think of your favorite movie character, comic book character, or cartoon character, that you self-identity with. What are a couple of words you would use to describe their personality? What color would you describe them as?

I think I self-identify with Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter. She is weird, honest, kind, and non-conformist. I think she could be described as a serene blue.
 
5. What color are you?

Leopard

6. What are you the most knowledgeable about? What would other people say you are the most knowledgeable about? When is the last time you went on a really good rant about something?

I am most knowledgeable about ceramics, art history, and teaching art to children. My sister says I am most knowledgeable about Oreos and shopping. I think I ranted last about people doing those Instagram closet sales and selling Forever 21 goods at practically retail...


7. If you had to design a business card right now, and could only have 3 words on it, what would those words be?

dolls, handmade, whimsy 

8. Your blog is a food. What food is it and why?

Does coffee count? I drink tons of coffee, take pictures of my coffee, and tweet about my coffee...I love coffee...and cupcakes. I realize cupcakes are super trendy, but they've always been my favorite. I enjoy how cute and tasty they can be. I feel my blog is also visually cute and the content is tasty.

9. If you could plan a photo shoot for your professional head shot, what would you be wearing? What piece of clothing, jewelry, or accessory would you wear that screams you?

Newsboy cap, my big Warby Parker glasses, red lipstick, band tee, carigan or blazer, jeans, and chucks. 

10. If you could collaborate with any blogger, artist, or person, who would it be, and what would you bring to their table?

Kelly Rae Roberts, she is just hugely inspiring and positive. I'd like to collaborate on mixed media dolls with all her awesome possibilitarian charm taken to the highest level of cuteness, and possibly something for children.

11. Pick a tagline for yourself. Or a few. 10 words total, for your identity, and niche.

A fatal attraction to cuteness...which I heard in a Gwen Stefani song, but I think describes me perfectly. But maybe a whimsical wizard of handmade kawaii with a fatal attraction to cuteness.

12. If you could copyright one item, food, object, or animal, and when people see it they would think of you, what would it be? It will help if this object is not already associated with someone else.

The first thing that comes to mind is Hello Kitty...I'm kinda obsessed. Or Starbucks, but I don't see them changing their logo to a picture of my face.  

13. Your blog is an animal. What animal is it, and why?

I'm going to go with Mokona, because Mokona is very cheerful, cute, and crazy. I feel my blog can be any or all of those things. 

 

14. You have to pick 2 emotions that your blog will make people feel. What are they?

Happy and Crafty. I realize crafty is not an emotion, but on occasion I do simple DIY's, and I want people to feel like they can be crafty, and have fun doing it! 

15. Someone who reads your blog writes you an email, expressing that your blog caused them to do something, or feel something, or think about something, or try to make something, and it makes you so happy to know this. What did it cause them to do?

Try something new! Whether it is a crafty project, reading a new manga, or trying a new recipe. 

16. What’s your favorite mythical creature, and why?

The Luck Dragon from Neverending Story. We say our pup Loki looks like Falkor and is our Luck Dachshund

17. Your blog is referred to someone that you admire by a friend. They use these 2 words to describe your niche. 

handmade and cute

18. You can only use one social network to promote your blog, forever. Which one do you choose and why?

Twitter, it's where I spend most of my time and where I've met a great group of people that I now consider friends.

19. You would love it if this store posted your blog’s business cards on their front counter.

Fancy Tiger in Bolder, CO! I've only been there once, but it was the coolest place on earth to me. They sold crafty books, yarn, re-purposed clothes, and local music. It's pretty much my heaven, and it's right next door to a rad coffee shop. 

20. If you had to pull an Emma, and take a photo of yourself looking down from your chin of your feet and the ground, where would you choose to be standing, what would you choose to wear, and why?

This was taken right outside my house, I was headed to my bridal shower. I'm wearing Vans that look like saddle shoes and that's a vintage Kate Spade bag. This was just such a fun time in my life, and there's no place like home.

21. What are you most passionate about? What would other people perceive you as being most passionate about? Are these things different?

Right now I'm passionate about making dolls, and just learning and expanding my skills. Others might perceive me as passionate about creating, which goes hand in hand with making dolls. I'm always creating or trying to create, it's what makes me happy and has the ability to make others happy. 

22. You have to choose a celebrity to do a poetic reading of your favorite blog post, with the perfect voice. Who is it? 

I'm not sure if she's a celebrity unless you're into dubbed anime, but I love Monica Rial's voice. My husband says I sound like her from time to time, which I take as a compliment.

23. What image on someone else’s blog have you seen that you love?

This image is from Ponyo, but I love their faces! I also love this post and video showing you how to make Ponyo Ramen...it's super kawaii!


24. You can only blog from one location for the rest of your life. Where is it?

All the local coffee shops I love have closed, but maybe I'll find a new one and never leave.

25. You walk into the Internet cafeteria. You see tables with every blogger ever. You sit down at the table with these 5 bloggers.

Kristin from My Life As A Teacup, Sonya Cheney, Cazz from Nerdburger, Katie from Skunkboy, Twinkie Chan

26. You have to decorate your online bedroom. What is the pattern on your bedspread? What poster is above your bed? And what CD is in the CD player?

The pattern on my bedspread is a handmade quilt featuring all my favorite characters like Hello Kitty, Pikachu, Marceline, Lumpy Space Princess, Sailor Moon...you get the idea. The poster above my bed is of Dolly Parton,  and the new Perma album is in my cd player.

Leave a comment and let me know if you answered the questions, I'd love to check out your answers!

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Manga Quest: Alice in the Country of Hearts

This is a repost from my Wordpress blog.
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My husband bought me the omnibus 1 of Alice in the Country of Hearts (Heart no Kuni no Alice) for my birthday this past year. I read it super fast, and found it super interesting and a totally different take of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. The series centers on Alice getting kidnapped down the rabbit hole into a civil war ravaged Wonderland, where all the slightly mad denizens want to seduce her...or kill her. Even though this shojo manga is filled with handsome fellows, the story has a dark and surreal edge, and its sinister secrets make it a compelling mystery/fantasy series. Not only have I enjoyed the story so far (I've only read 1 out of 3 omnibus editions), I really enjoyed the artwork with the gorgeous lolita-esque dresses. I own the second omnibus, but haven't had a chance to read it. I just saw the third one is out, and the series is finally finished in English. I can't wait to get my hands on it!

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 This photo is from YenPress, who are the ones who translate/make the omnibus editions.

 Have you read Alice in the Country of Hearts, or played the video game this manga is based on? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Saturday Style Moodboard

Saturday Style Moodboard #7

This weeks mood board is dedicated to Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter. I love how she's quirky, weird, confident, and could care less about what anyone thinks. She's happy to be who she is. Oh, and she has great style! She is always one of the Halloween costumes I have on my list each year.

Something Yummy: I started making a healthy breakfast, but it tastes like a cookie.
Recipe: Old Fashion Quick Oats (follow directions) I substituted Vanilla Almond Milk for water. After you cook the oats + a tablespoon of coconut sugar + a tablespoon of flax seed meal.

I need to name this recipe....

Something I'm Reading: The Sleep Lady's Good Night, Sleep Tight. I wish I actually had time to get past the first chapter

Something New: I dyed my hair....brown...I know a natural color. My hair needs a break from all the maintenance that comes with fun colors/bleaching.

Something I'm watching: Besides watching Once and Wonderland, I've been addicted to Don't Trust the B@#$% in Apartment 23. It's hilarious and I love Krysten Ritter and James Van Der Beek!

If you want to play along, please leave a link in the comments!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Ch-ch-changes...


I'm making some changes around here, so sorry for the confusion. I've decided to move my blog back to blogger after continuous frustration with Wordpress. All of my content did not import over, but if you would like to read most of the past years content you can click HERE. 


A few more changes:

I am now taking sponsors, so please check out my advertise page.

I am also phasing out my Etsy store. When my listings are expired I will no longer be selling there, but at Storenvy. You can use the code GoodBye for 40% off in my Etsy shop!

I am excited about these changes and the opportunities they will bring! Thank you for all your support!

Please follow my blog with Bloglovin to keep up to date! 


 
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Creative Space

I was recently asked to share my creative space on Talk 2 The Trees blog, and thought I would share where the magic happens here. My creative space is technically supposed to be our guest bedroom, but I moved the bed out. It’s filled with all sorts of crafting supplies…almost to hoarder territory….






Most of my furniture is found or vintage, and by found I mean left in my garage. Finders keepers. ;)
My prized possession is the Dolly Parton drawing my mother found for me at a garage sale down the street while visiting. I have lots of gig posters for my husband’s band Thrift Store Cowboys, some done by Dirk Fowler who is super rad.








My husband caught me working on the side of the room I didn’t take pictures of because it is a super hot mess. I’m pretty messy, but it’s how I function. If it’s too clean and organized I can’t find anything.

What does your creative space look like? Leave a link, I’d love to check it out!






43/52

We went to the corn maze this weekend. Amelia was excited about ponies and chickens, and less excited about pumpkins. I rode a cow train with her, which was basically barrels pulled by a tractor (there’s a video on Instagram). Sadly they were out of corn, which was weird. What did you do this weekend?