same ol' shizzle, different dizzle.

Last week had an obvious lack of posting. To be honest, I was a little burned out from the constant crafting over the past couple of weeks. Finish this painting, frame that one, and that one, stained glass, spray paint this, cushions galore... I needed a g'damn break from being crafty. So I took a week off. I can't say that I'm back with a vengeance yet, or even with gusto. I'm tip-toeing back. I may retreat at some point and resort to the comfort of watching Wild Russia and How It's Made.

I still haven't been able to find a good balance when it comes to everything that I have on my plate. If there's anything I've learned from this blog (now 99 posts and counting), it's that urges come and go. My activities and schedule vary from week to week, and I won't really know if I'm excited about something until the moment is upon me. For example: I knew yesterday would be the perfect day to be outside. It doesn't get much better than sunny and 68 degrees. Unless it's 70 and sunny. I also knew that I had a shit-ton of soldering to do. Another thing I learned is that it's horrible to solder indoors. The fumes, while deliciously intoxicating, are extremely intoxicating and quite bad for your health. Was I excited to solder? Not really. Was I excited to be outside? Absolutely.

Exciting + Not So Exciting = Pleasurably Tolerable, if you ask me.

So, I spent a good two or three hours outside, finished soldering and earned a 5 star sunburn on my neck and shoulders. Don't let April fool you. It burns.

black bean stew, from another country

I thought I'd post something a little different, since well.. I'm a little different. Here's my most favorite recipe in the whole world at the moment.  It's Brazilian Black Bean Stew. I don't know if it's actually Brazilian. It could be American or Latvian Orthodox for all I know. Although the sausage in it tells me it's not Orthodox. My gut tells me that it's probably more Mexican. Probably only because there's a Chipolte Mexican Grill. ONWITHIT! And of course, enjoy.

 

 

theme show.



In June, the Manayunk Roxborough Art Center is going to have a bike part art show to coincide with the ever-so-popular, Manayunk Bike Race. I myself, am SUPER PUMPED about a bike part show, and I couldn't wait to start thinking about what I could come up with the submit to the exhibit!

Snazzy, ay? I'm particularly excited about the merriment.

Last weekend, I started by cutting and sanding three panels of super thick, fine-a** quality plywood for my project and used a dark walnut stain to give it a rich, rustic look. (I'm noticing a whole triptych theme here, I'm wondering why it is I've been working in threes...) I really didn't think about the panels during the week: But on Friday, after learning about the impending weekend rain storm, I decided to go home and give it some much needed attention. No one likes to spray paint in the rain. Or at least, I don't.

I set up my bike-art-spray-paint-base-camp in the driveway so I didn't stank-out the birds in our backyard: We already have one cardinal that isn't so s-m-r-t, and I didn't want to affect future generations of birds from the fumes. One bird constantly flying into the window is quite enough, we don't need his baby-cardinals flying up to our cat thinking its a tree. ITS A TREE ITS A TREE ITS A TREE! Next, I took some of Lou's old mountain bike chain rings and started layering them on the panels. I had seven different spay paint shades, and began the process of spray... rearrange!... spray... rearrange! 

I just realized that this photo is of the same two panels repeated, instead of the three I actually completed. I'll have to take better photos and upload them later. See what fumes can do to you?!

Anywho, after about a billion layers of spray/rearrange, plus the period of pause and let dry, I covered each panel in a quick drying poly-acrylic to seal it all in and make it shiny and bright. I also started experimenting with the chain rings and spokes (not spokey-dokes, unfortunately... although, now that I think about it...) so I'll have to take a picture of that and post it, too. I'm not sure how to incorporate it all together, but I'm sure an afternoon of drinking ...I mean constant thinking. I mean drinking, should clear that up.

In other news, I'm cooking dinner tonight. I accidentally spilled a bunch of red pepper flakes into the olive oil I was simmering, and didn't think too much about it. I should have. I just tasted it, and it tastes like burning. Tasty. JUST BURNING.

framed! part duex

finished frame, sans stain

I now have two... TWO! paintings that are properly framed and ready to ... well... HANG for lack of better words! Over the weekend, I finished building the frame that I was working on by cutting pieces of 1"x2" and securing them to the back of the frame: It added much needed depth and sturdiness to the piece. Once the glue was dry and set, I ran the sander over the frame one last time to ensure that all the surfaces were smooth and even. A dark walnut stain was applied soon after, and once it was dry, I secured the three paintings inside and sat back to admire my work. To say I'm happy with the result is an understatement, since I'm famously HORRIBLE at woodwork. I always wanted to design a frame for those paintings that would become part of the piece, not just an accessory to it. The horizontal flow makes me swoon. Iz uber prowd.

On Monday, my super cool frame from PictureFrames.com came in, fully assembled and ready for Material Experiment #1! The painting fit in it perfectly and was secured with canvas clips: The ornate bright silver frame complimented it quite nicely.

The last step I needed to take with both frames was to finish them off with paper backing, wiring and labels... which I've never done. But, after watching about ten minutes of You Tube videos on the subject, I had brown paper, double sided tape, wire hanging supplies and spray adhesive in hand and ready to go. First I applied the double sided tape to the back edges of both frames. After cutting the paper to size, I pressed it onto the tape and went over it with a fid to make sure it really stuck. Then, I screwed in the hardware and twisted on the wiring. Finally, I sprayed the labels with a little adhesive, and stuck em' on.














So both paintings are ready to be displayed. Look at me, finally finishing something! With any luck, Sunset at the Beach will sell at the MRAC-RDC Silent Auction on Thursday, May 3rd: I'm donating it for the their fund raising effort. And hopefully, Material Experiment #1 will be selected to be displayed at MRAC's May show, which opens on May 6th. Maybe you'd like to come visit and see them in person...?

glass be owned.

On Sunday, I finished cutting out ALL of the glass for my friend's sisters wedding present, and I couldn't be happier! Since I have ten different glass colors (numbered one through ten, of course) I decided that it would be fun to cut the pieces out per color, and cross off the ones that I completed as I went along. I was so excited to finally get to number 10 and cross it off the list! I'm thrilled to think I'm finally getting better at cutting and breaking glass. This window saw far fewer mistakes than ones in the past.

Again, there's no full pictures of both glass panels because I'd like it to be a surprise when it's finished! Obviously I'll post it once it's framed, delivered, and hung but until then... let your imagination run wild!

framed!

This week I set out to accomplish two important tasks. One was to finally purchase a frame for my so-called "hanging-worthy painting" and the other was to get my gaaadang eyes checked. Well.. I actually have three important tasks to complete. The other is to finish this frame for the sunset that I've never seen. But I haven't accomplished that yet. But, I've done the first two, and that's better than nothing, now isn't it Mr. Judgey Pants?

In the past, I have purchased many a'fine frame from PictureFrames.com, and decided to peruse their website to see if I could find something nice for .... oh wait a minute. I don't even have a title for the painting yet. That needs to change! How about... Material Experiment #1? I LIKE THE SOUND OF THAT! OK, back on track...  I decided to peruse their website to see if I could find something nice for Material Experiment #1.

I was searching for a frame that needed to meet certain criteria: It had to be 20x24 with at least a 3/4" rabbet. (The depth of the painting is 3/4", so the rabbet allows for the painting to be recessed into the frame correctly) I usually shop conservative, but I thought this time I'd look for a frame with spunk that would match the personality of my painting. After narrowing my search down to four frames, I finally decided on this one.  And I think it compliments the painting quite nicely, if I do say so myself! I can't wait until the frame is shipped. And for it to arrive. And to open the package. And to assemble it. And to frame the painting. And to hang it! Andtoprintouta labelforthe painting ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! Alrighty... breathe. I got a little carried away. As soon as it's ready, it's heading over to the Manayunk Roxborough Art Center, in hopes that it will be selected to be in the May show!

My next task was to make an eye appointment. I've been having some trouble with dusky-driving, and Moe the bunny nibbled a lens or two in the past year so I figured now's the time to go. I did need a new prescription, so I had it filled in an old pair of frames. But...shhhh... I also have a little secret. ZenniOptical.com. You basically take your written prescription from the doctor's office, upload a picture of your face, and GO TO TOWN ON ORDERING GLASSES.  I ordered... get this... 3 PAIRS OF GLASSES. One pair of cool aviator sunglasses, and two pairs of fun fun glasses... FOR $60.60. Which is about $1,000.00 less than I'd pay in the store. I call that a win in my books! And now, I shall celebrate this occasion by adding coffee to cream and sugar.

upcycled trash picker

Those who know me are aware of the fact that I love to trash pick. My dream would be to time travel to the 1980's, and scour through the trash of middle class America because let's face it: They'd be throwing away all their cool hand-me-downs from the 60's and 70's to buy Tupperwear and plastic EVERYTHING because that's just what'cha did at that time. Then I'd get back in my time machine and travel to 1990, so I could find Fraggle Rock memorabilia. But, since time travel isn't available quite yet, I settle for any opportunity that arises to save cool things from the ever growing trash heap.

Yesterday, I caught a co-worker throwing out an old coffee carafe because it had become cracked and gross. I don't blame him: That thing was indeed, cracked and gross. However, my little imaginative brain kicked into high gear, and images of the horrid coffee pot becoming a beautiful flower pot popped into my head. So I told him, "Why don't you let me take that home, so I can recycle it?" (a side note, our company does not have recycling, because they are evil.) AND RECYCLE I DID! Or to use my favorite Etsy term: I upcycled it. It's not my favorite term though. I hate it actually. At least Regretsy makes fun of people on Etsy for overusing it. But it fits, and so we shall press on.

I took Mr. Carafe home with me yesterday, and after a brief trip to Lowes for foliage and spray paint, I was on my way to creating my planty planter. One coat of primer, and two coats of red was all it took to make my little flowery dreams come true. I got this pretty little yellow flowering plant, and I'm so excited because it's a creeper, just like me.

Now if only I could find something to do with the rest of the crap I pick up from around town.

i'm learneding

To round off my amazingly productive Sunday, I went on a rampage mission to find a piece of plywood that would be awesome enough for my triptych painting. I started my search in the garage, since most awesome things end up being stashed in there. Behind the motorcycle, garden hose and endless amounts of crazy giant mountain bike tires, I found wooden gold: a 1” thick piece of plywood that measured around 12”x50”. F****** SCORE!

Now... I know that I'm not the best when it comes to woodwork (that's what she said!) but I really wanted to figure out this frame by myself. Having everything evenly spaced is über important to this self-proclaimed balance/proportion freak, so I started my measurements with the 12” length. HERE COMES THE MATH PEOPLE. The biggest painting I have is 9” in length, so that would leave me a 1.5” border around the painting. (12-9=3and3/2=1.5YAY)   However, I wanted the frame to overlap the paintings slightly, so I increased the border size to 1.75”.

Using the 1.75” border size as my guide, I continued to place the smaller two paintings next to the bigger one, adjusting the placements until I came up with a good configuration. That last sentence made me sound MUCH smarter than I expected it to. After drawing my guidelines, I was ready to step outside and cut the s*** out of my plywood.

Next, I used a LARGE drill bit to drill 12 holes into the plywood, one for each corner of the three paintings. I decided to use the jigsaw, since A: I know how to use it, and B: I knew where it was in the garage. After about 30 minutes, I had myself a rough-cut frame! My electric sander did all the dirty work smoothing it out, and now I’m ready to stain and assemble the final piece!

Three cheers for trying and succeeding!!

blood donation

In all of my comings and goings, sometimes I forget to schedule things that are important to me, like donating blood. Let's face it: I'm no millionaire, but I love to give. Blood is a great thing to give because...
1. I have lots of it.
2. It grows back, if you could call it growing back.
3. I get a pretzels, juice AND a sticker. A STICKER!!!

Oopsy daisy.

On Sunday, I accidentally donated blood when I was stained-glassing. I was grinding the edges of every piece by hand in a vat of warm soapy water when I somehow slipped up and sliced two fingers on my left hand. I think it looked a lot worse that it was, but it was a great reminder that I need to PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT I'M DOING. Let's face it people. I can't afford to loose another digit. 

I made excellent progress over the weekend with the glass: It is completely cleaned up, copper foiled and ready to solder. Which was a lot more than I was planning on accomplishing. (MENTAL HIGH FIVE, HUZZAAAAH!) Yesterday, I showed some of the pictures below to a co-worker of mine (a very art-savy co-worker, mind you) and he said that the glass reminds him of (drum-roll please...) Gustav Klimt!! I was seriously blown away that he saw the resemblance, and I was really proud of myself for correctly emulating his style, which was my ultimate goal!

Sometime in the near future I want to sketch out my plan for the frames, because they'll have to be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the solder and glass. Here are some fun pictures so far. I don't want to upload an image of the whole piece because I don't want to ruin the surprise!
And, I managed to make a real appointment to donate blood this morning. Guess who's wearing a sticker RIGHT NOW? This guy!