woodworking partial fail: the end of the stained glass

The one thing I wasn't looking forward to doing was building the frame that would encase the stained glass I was commissioned to do for my friend's sisters' wedding. Is that correct possessive usage? UH, don't make me make a chart for that, too. As you might recall... many, many times over in fact, I am not competent when it comes to woodworking. I decided to make up a little checklist so I would keep myself on track. Here's how it went.

Right now I'm on #22. I literally can't f*** up from there on. Pictures of the final piece will be posted this Saturday, since I'm delivering the final pieces to her sister this Friday!

TASK	THOUGHT
1. Find wood.	I can do that!
2. How about 1"x2"x4'?	Look, I found it!
3. Buy wood.	Yay, I look cool at the Home Depot!
4. Buy router bit.	MENTAL SHUTDOWN
5. Ask Dad for help?	I can do that!
6. Deliver wood to Dad.	I can do that!
7. Pickup wood from Dad.	I can do that!
8. Ask Lou to setup compound miter saw.	I can do that!
9. Set the angle to 45°.	I can do that!
10. Make cuts to wood.	Um.. I think I did that right. Didn't I?
11. Assemble frame around glass.	Well, it's not perfect but I can fix it.
12. Drill pilot holes for the screws.	Lou, can you help me do the first one so I can watch n' learn?
13. Take 2" screws and secure frame together.	WAIT, why isn't the screw going in?!
14. Try that again.	I stripped the f***ing screw!
15. Use pliers to get screw out.	F*** IT BROKE OFF.  Start crying.
16. Thow screw across garage.	MENTAL SHUTDOWN
17. Go buy new screws.	Stop crying before you get to the store.
18. Attempt #2: use screws to secure frame.	GROW UP, YOU CAN DO THIS.
19. Marvel that you did it.	I F***ING DID IT!
20. Glue the shit out of the seams	I can do that!
21. Fill in gaps with wood filler.	I can do that!
22. Sand frame smooth	I can do that!
23. Cover glass with paper, prep for paint	I can do that!
24. Spray primer and coat with paint.	I can do that!

when the cat's away, the mouse will organize

It's no secret that I like organization. Lou jokes around that I am ze German because I love ze oerdaa (order) and following ze ruules. So on Saturday I decided to tackle a project that I long put off.

Organizing the spice cabinet.

Now, I know it sounds lame. But I had so much friggin' fun. You know why? CAUSE I LABELED EVERYTHING. I can't take total credit for the idea, though. The jars and labels were a hand-me-down from my Mom. Who also loves oerdaa. Ve arrr ze o-pit-o-mee of oerrganizaachun. She lent me her P-Touch label maker to add spices that she didn't have, and I went to motha-f'in TOWN on those jars.

I pulled up a nice section of carpet in front of the television, which was blaring episodes of renovation awesomeness and cooking awesomeness, and started the spice transfer. Do you know I had three things of dill? And three things of cinnamon?! WHY?! I also found bouillon cubes that expired before Lou and I started dating. Grossness.

Boyfriend Future Husband isn't totally thrilled because none of the spices have shaker tops. Possible fail, but maybe I can make a special spice shaker spoon?

San Fran to Portland to Seattle.

I went on the most fantastic journey ever. One that I always dreamed of, and finally got to. Camping and driving from San Fransisco all the way up to Seattle! Of course, with a couple hotel stops along the way. Hey, you try camping in a major city. Everyone would think we were part of an occupy protest or something.

The entire trip was such a positive uplifting experience. It put so many things into perspective. Not only how small I really am in the grand scheme of things, but how important other things are, and how amazing things can be. I found almost everything absolutely inspirational, which was the main reason I started this blog in the first place. I wish I could detail every moment of my journey, but I would be typing forever.

So I figured I highlight some things and describe them as best as I could.
First, some pictures to butter you up.

The eerie contrast of seeing the advection fog rolling over San Fransisco and the bay from a distance, and actually being in the fog. We hiked along the Land End trail, and experienced complete California sunshine as we overlooked (what was) the Golden Gate bridge, even though it was hidden from our view by the heavy fog. We knew it was there, from the blaring fog horns. In contrast, while we were driving and hiking along Stinson Beach, the fog was so heavy that it literally clung to you, chilling you to the bone. You would never be able to tell the brightness of the colors that surrounded you, because the fog dilutes the sun so much that everything comes off as having a gray tint.

Seeing and hearing the ferocity of the Pacific Ocean slamming on the cliffs along the coast of California was unreal. It put the Atlantic Ocean to shame.

To hear absolutely nothing. You don't realize how silent nothing is, until you're standing deep in the woods, surrounded by towering Redwoods that absorb every sound of the outside world.

To hear a coyote barking its' way around the campsite you're staying at.

Seeing Mount St. Helens as a small hazy peak from 70 miles away, and then watching it grow before our eyes into the 8,300+ ft. behemoth of a volcano it actually is. As we climbed higher and higher and twisted through slide-repaired roads (99 was still closed because of snow!) the volcano would magically appear in front of us, larger each time. And every single time, I exclaimed "Hooooooollllyyyy shiiiiiiiiitt".

Being behind a waterfall in the middle of July, and being FREEZING cold. The sounds is deafening, and the feeling was unbelievable.

The experience of utter confusion, then wonder, then complete happiness as the boyfriend I love so much asked me to marry him. The range of emotions I felt was like nothing I ever felt. And I'm glad I got to experience it. I wasn't expecting him to ask me that, so I'm pretty sure I muttered a "are you serious" and a "FO REAL?" at some point. But of course I said yes. Well, actually I said SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURE! Then I said yes when he asked "is that a yes?" 

Best Vacation Ever.

redonk.

Warning: Complaining in 3...2...1...

I've been having a hard time working on my own art lately because of the ridiculous amount of time I've been spending slaving for working for MRAC. I had no idea that an unpaid volunteer position could consume so much time and energy. It's redonk. Between meetings, typing, retyping, editing, Facebook posting, managing a "simple" Gmail calendar, responding to endless condescending emails, and attending weekly meetings, etc... I've been giving between 5-15 hours per week of my personal time over to them. Time that I'd like to be creating my own art, thank you very much. It seems like I'm doing a whole'lotta work so other people can have time to work on their art and hang in the monthly shows. I'm all for furthering the center so community members can participate and enjoy, but at some point I have to draw a line.

I'm keeping my promise to myself: I'm giving myself until August to see things change there. And change for the better. If not, I'm out. I've got a life, too you know.

UPDATE ON 7/13/12: I QUIT.

anxiety painting

I've been quite the fan of splatter paintings lately. You might recall my last two, abcdef FAIL. and Time to Eat??. The first part requires me to squeeze copious amounts of acrylic paint onto a 5x5 canvas. Controlled messiness is fun! After that, it's all about what I find in my mind to apply to the surface.

I started a new one this past week.. reds, creams and yellows. I accidentally blew a load of glitter over it. But I ended up liking it, thank God. There's no undoing glitter. Once it's there, IT'S THERE. It looked to harmonious, so I added silver. I remembered that I had my mom's old medical dictionary from when she did nursing... so I pulled it out and started perusing through different afflictions, disorders, viruses and diseases. Good times, indeed. Who knew that SO MUCH could go wrong within your own body?

I'm not sure what order I found things in, but I discovered various medical drawings of the body and explanations for anxiety disorders. I started combining them together on the surface, adding my own paintings and ink drawings to blend them all together. I'm still not finished, but here's the progress so far.

birthdays

I've always enjoyed making birthday cards. I thought I'd share the one I made for my sister this past week.  Since her and her husband (and baby to be... and kitties) will be moving onto greener pastures soon, I decided not to get her a big birthday gift that she'd have to pack and unpack within the next week. LAME. That's rule #1 of moving. Do not give people more shit that they'll have to pack. Because it might end up at the Salvation Army by Tuesday.

I decided to get her gift cards instead. Which is something I normally try to avoid, but this way if they need any decorations, then they can jet over to Home Goods.. or if they need any paint or repair items for their new digs, then they can go to Lowes or the Depot. Instead of buying a little gift card holder, I decided to attach little pockets into the card. Five tiny little fasteners secure it to the card, and then I adorned it with stars n' such. I think she liked it. I certainly enjoyed making it!

I should have taken pictures of the chocolate cupcakes I made. ... but we ate them all. Here's a visual. It looked like a 5 year old made them. A slightly professional 5 year old.

mermaids and duckfishpony

Speaking of things that I might not have mentioned before: Duckfishpony. Go ahead, Google it. DUCKFISHPONY. You'll find I had my 15 minutes of fame on HGTV's show That's Clever! What the hell is a Duckfishpony, you ask? Well, it's the loneliest creature in the lake, that's who.

Back when I was working as a summer seasonal employee at the DEP in New Jersey, I had the task of drawing up a coloring book to give out to kids who visited various state parks and forests. (My other 10 minutes of fame is located here. Don't be too impressed with my crappy drawings, please! NO AUTOGRAPHS.) When my assignment was done, I ended up combining some of the animals together into new creations, which I then ecstatically shared with my graphic designer friend Jonathan. The first one was the DFP. Soon after, the Foxcycle followed. Then Cathippoeagle.

Fast forward to 2005. I had minor surgery that left me couch ridden for a whole damn day. My mom asked me if there was anything she could get me, so I asked her if she could bring me some clay. I ended up sculpting the DFP in all it's three dimensional glory. Through a curious series of events, a producer from the show That's Clever! ended up calling me in 2007 asking if I was interested in having it on the show. I said no. YEAH F***ING RIGHT I SAID YES. It aired in 2009, and since then the DFP has graced the shelf on desk, watching quietly over my creativeness.

Fast forward again to 2012. My cuz asked me if I could paint a cast iron mermaid for his steamboat. I started mixing the colors, and almost immediately I thought of DFP. I brought him down from his shelf and let him watch me paint the woman of his dreams. Once she was done, I staged a little photo session with them. They're friends now. But soon, she'll be sent off to my cuz so she can grace his boat in all her glory. And yes, I know I'm crazy.

DFP approaches with caution...

he makes his move...

SUCCESS.

did I ever share..?

I don't think I ever really posted any pictures of my work from college. Here is my largest bark and latex figure that I entitled Unnoticed. I love this piece. I had an interested buyer after my senior thesis show, but they wanted me to crate it and ship it to Texas. That never happened, which I don't mind.

Here are two smaller ones that I did earlier this year. I made two small relief sculptures out of plasticine and embedded the tree bark texture into it. Then I made a plaster mold so I could cast multiples in latex. Once several layers of latex are brushed into the mold, I peel it out and adhere each one to a piece of tree bark. Then I start to build up colors, all attempting to camouflage the latex figure into the background. More colors always equal more depth.

I was obsessed with the shape of these figures for a long time... it's a female torso from the collarbones down to the hips and pubic bone. Each one is a little different. Just like everyone, I guess.

fond memories

Yesterday I had the pleasure of running into my former sculpture professor while I was hanging up fliers for the Bike Art & Student show at the MRAC (<-- another story, for another time). I had just paid for my large iced coffee at the local DD, when I turned around and instantly recognized her. And I was so flattered that she recognized me as well. With our coffees in hand, and my bike in tow, we walked back to her home where we discussed our activities over the past seven years. I was surprised that she remembered my bark and latex figures. They were something that I've always loved to work on, and should do so more often, now that I think about it.

From the way I was explaining my so called 'art-goings-on' it honestly sounded like I was trying to convince not only her, but myself of my involvement in the art world, if you could call it that. I've done a good amount of work in the past couple years... but... I don't know. Nothing extraordinary, I guess. And no, I'm not being hard on myself. It's the simple truth. I'm an artist with professional training with a full time accounting job. I try to allot the time to work on pieces on my 'off-time', and sometimes I simply cannot. Sometimes I feel like I've failed already.

Seeing her again... It makes me yearn to begin new sculptures. It makes me want to finish the work that I have already begun. It makes me sad that I don't have a functional sculpture studio space to work in. Sure, I have my 'office' that doubles as my sewing room, where I can cut stained glass and paint... but a sculpture studio, it will never be. I'll either ruin the floor, muck up the walls, damage the stairway to and fro, this or that or so on. Sigh.

Will I ever work on sculpture ever again? HELL YES I WILL. I don't know when, but I have so many concepts that I want to explore. I wonder if other artists have gone through similar periods in their lifetime. First and foremost, I have to finish three projects that I've already started. None of which I'm keeping myself. Only one of which I'm being paid for. I have to stop doing that, too.

it's been awhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiile

It's hard not to sing that awful song "It's Been Awhile" when you say it's been awhile. But needless to say, it's been awhile. I haven't posted in almost two weeks! FOR SHAME.

I think back on the past two weeks and wonder what I've done, other than gaining another 3 lbs. And guess what? I'VE ACTUALLY DONE A LOT. I just haven't written about it. Sometimes you just have to be in the mood to write. I've been in the mood to eat. (see weight gain reference)

don't be jealous of Sanford & Sons.

The one thing I'd like to share today is how ridiculously creative m'boyfriend is. As you all know,... or don't know, he's a bike enthusiast. And he's super talented with building and repairing bicycles. So every once and awhile, he'll have extra bike parts... chains, doo-hickey and do-dads, metal things and round things, mostly. I don't know bike parts if you've guessed. One extra he had at hand was a giant fat tire. He made this one into a planter! How awesome is that?

My goal for the rest of this week is to update the universe on what's been going on. Here's some topics I'm going to try to cover...

The Art Center! Bike Art and the BIKE RACE! Paintings for the Behbah! Mermaids! Sewing the cushions... AGAIN!  Indian Food!Stained glass and frames!

so...

In my blogging absence this week, I actually haven't been absent. I've been working on a project, but... it's been a secret! But, since the secret is now out, I can share.

I'M GOING TO BE A {CRAZYFRIGGIN} AUNT!!!!!

That's right! My brother-in-law and glorious older sister... my only sister I should add, is with child!Are with child? What is the correct word to use there? Either way, with child they are. I want to keep the project I'm working on for them a surprise, so this MSPaint drawing of my excited rabbit will have to do for now. There are other projects I'm working on too, I just need to find the time to take some photos and post some entries.

SNAP TO IT CRAZY AUNT JILL. TIME TO CRAFT 4 BEHBAH!.

no news is good news.

This is a small painting I began during the week, after I wrote my last post about the confusion I was feeling. I grabbed a handful of colors and brush and began aimlessly painting my feelings. I saw a newspaper lying next to me and decided to incorporate some headlines and articles. Today, I added a pastel drawing: A girl in the corner, burying her head: Protecting herself from the world around her. And the saying "sometimes no news is good news".

While being the recipient of good news is always great, being on the receiving end of bad news seldom feels so good. In fact, I think most would agree that it f***ing sucks. Especially for a person who doesn't deal with feelings as productively as she should. Too often have I bottled my emotions and let them explode at an inopportune moments. I'm trying much harder these days to deal with the realities that life offers, even if it means that I have to contemplate the path that I travel much more often.

I've always taken comfort in this little saying. It's a saying that, in my immediate family, always follows the phrase: "So other than that, there's nothing else new or exciting going on." But the reality is, sometimes there is news. It's not always exciting, and you have to deal with it the best you can and be a comfort to those around you. Getting some of my feelings out onto a canvas felt... I don't know... fulfilling, I guess. Much better than an explosive crying fit. Although I'm only 1/2 through a bottle of wine: The night is young.

100.

Blogs are interesting things. It allows you (and by you I mean me. And you too, I guess) to go back and peruse the thoughts recorded in digital time, while contemplating how it relates to you in the future. And by the future, I mean now. I can already tell, this post is going to be complicated, so I'm getting another cup of coffee.

My goal of this blog was to "find the special little things in life that inspire me to create and contemplate, whist maintaining my "responsibilities" (like work, relationships, exercise, showering... )". It metastasized into something much different, very quickly: It became a chronicle of projects, detailing processes and outcomes instead of the feelings and inspiration behind it.

So after 100 posts, how do I feel? If I had to choose one word, it'd be confused. While the blog didn't exactly stick to the original plan, I kind of like the way it chronicles projects a little more. Do I wish I included more daily inspirations? Yes, and I'll try to work on that more in the future. Although sometimes when it comes to a project, it's create for the sake of creating.

There are so many things that I like to do, but it seems impossible to "choose a path" like some people have suggested. Is it going to be wine bags all the way? Will I try my hand at fine art and exhibiting more? Or am I more poised to be a home do-it-yourselfer? I don't think I'll ever have one solid path, to be honest. Maybe my natural path is an ebb-n-flow like the ocean tide instead of a straight one way road.

Here's to 100 posts, and a good journey so far. Self discovery is tough shit, but it really helps to put my thoughts down. And it doesn't hurt to add MS Paint, if you ask me. :D

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.