Time is the essence

Today, I pick up some petals on the ground.  It was from a flowery vine growing on the fence, at a school.  I wanted to take a photo of those petals.  I wanted to show it up.  I also wanted to use the photo for creative purpose.  What I wanted to do is simple: I wanted to use the petals as model for a bead weaving project, for a pattern.  So, I brought back the petal and put it on a table.  I forgot about it.  I don't know how I did it.  When I though about them again, it was too late.  They were all wilted.  Too late for a photo.  No more use for them.  I am lucky that I can bring other specimen of petals and try to make a photo out of them, for posterity.

For sure, now I will have the "time is all the essence" in mind when I take something like petals or anything else from nature.  Perishable item are really perishable and often it can be quick.  It is what I was reminded today.  Petals is the fasted ones to wilt and I am more conscious of that now.  I won't repeat this error again.  I may try myself again to photograph some petals in the next few days.  I am tempted to take my camera out and photograph the petals right on the ground.  I think it will have quite nice photos out of this.  Well, I want to experiment this.  I don't know the outcome yet, at the same time, I am hopeful.  I will also be able to take a photo of the flowery vine.

Now, I can tell this is a good brainstorming.  I like getting ideas as I write.  Now, time to get all this brainstorming into concrete action!

Part of a project Pebeo paint and mirrors

I made those disk with small mirrors and Pébeo vitrail paints.  I have put a few colors.  It gave out a nice effect.  I am please with the result.  I am thinking in doing necklaces with them.  I have bezeds that I can glue on the back.  I will not use them as earring, they are too big.  I also think they may be too heavy too.  It will be too weird on a diadem.  Anyway, I haven't done any diadem yet.  Should practice and learn how to do them before experimenting on the diadem front.  Maybe a bracelet.  Could be cooil to put 4 togethers to form the bracelet.  I don't know exactly how yet but I am ready for the challenge.  My first solution would be magnets. I will take a little bit of time to see if there would be other solutions for a bracelet.  I think it will be hard to set one of them on an hair barrette.   Barrettes are more bended than straight.

I like playing with material.  I also like to go toward the unexpected.  My mind isn't quite set on what will be done with them.  I will still brainstorm with them.  I want to come up with something unusual.  I do have another idea but I don't know if it will workable.  Maybe doing a bead stitch of some kind around it and doing an bezed with the beads.  I just don't know if it workable.  I don't have experience doing bead stitches around an item.  Maybne they could do as practice and an experiment.  Just using one and see it it will work.

Learning something impact my writing...

Just saw this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL73AE5yD_w
It is how the caterpillar turn into a butterfly.  By chance, they didn't go into graphic real picture.  Must be disgusting.  I will resume the essence of the transformation briefly: the caterpillar, in the cocoon, turn into purée and reconstitue itself again in a butterfly.  Disgusting enough for you?  I will never see a butterfly the same way from now on.  It is a bit of a bummer that a so beautiful and delicate being can go through a brutal process.  Makes me remember an episode of an old twilight zone: "Eye of the Beholder" also know under the title "The Private World Of Darkness".  In that episode, the norm is being ugly.  The main character tries to get as everybody through surgery.  It doesn't work so, at the end, a guy like her comes.  He will bring her to a village where everybody are like them.  I know there isn't much between the two.  In both my reaction and the episode of twilight zone, there is a reaction.  I am not used to the process of the metamorphosis into a butterfly.  In the "Eye of the Beholder", the doctor and nurses look surprised when surgery failed.  They probably hoped for a success.  In both cases, there is a reaction and it is not a positive one.

I feel a bit shaken because I had written something involving a cocoon and a metamorphosis.  It is for an important character.  It is part of the text.  There are other like that main character but they have already gone through the process.  I know it is fiction and that I can do what I want.  I wanted to show there was pain before and after the cocoon part.  I think the video will force me to see a different angle.  Of course, I don't want my character to turn into mush before being reconstituted.  It would take too much time anyway.  I now will have to think a little further on this point.  What I though before was akin a werewolf, as they shapeshift.  It just would happen in a protective casing.  What I just learned force me to see on another angle, to consider other possibilities.  I will kept the cocoon part, some part of shapeshift and there will be some pains in the body before and after the transformation.  I am thinking to add something to set it appart from other fictions.  For sure, I won't go into dissolution of the body for reconstitution.  It will go too far if I do that.  Thinking of that, I may put some stem cell.  Maybe those who transform may have some reserve of it.  It will restructure part of the body and manifacture others that weren't there before.

I didn't expected this situation just by learning something new...

Forest

Here is the forest and trees:

It is some photos I have taken from a forest.  I took them at the edge of the forest.  I like the result.  On the other hand, I think that next time, I will take photos from inside the forest.  I know a few places where I know I can have stunning pictures. I will have to be careful, to get the right light.  I hope the magic will show on the photos.  The photos above are taken from a backyard and it is in a direction of a mountain.

Thinking of it, I also think to take a photo of a standing rock and a rock formation that look like stairs.  I think it will be a nice touch to include in the tarot I am making...

absinthe & co

So, I tasted absinthe.  I have a bottle in my house.  I like it.  I like it enough that I decided to invest a little bit more.  I just bought absinthe glasses (http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B001GA8JUQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00).  I thought it was a little bit easier to use.  I guess I have to get used to it.  I don't think it will be too hard.  Just to get my point of reference on the side of the glass.  In the base of that kind of glass, there is a special "bulb" where the measure of absinthe is going.  After that, there goes the water.  I liked the design of the glasses I have chosen.  I already have the spoon.  I just don't think I will buy the fountain. It is a bit too big for my taste.  At least, the various models I had seen.  I also get the impression that absinthe's fountains are a bit of a show off, to attract the attention of people.

I also bought absinthe mints (http://www.amazon.ca/Accoutrements-Absinthe-Mints/dp/B001NZQB7C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433616410&sr=8-1&keywords=absinthe+mints) and absinthe candies (http://www.amazon.ca/Accoutrements-11963-Absinthe-Candy/dp/B0033CZGCO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433616481&sr=8-1&keywords=absinthe+candy).  I liked those even better than the absinthe itself.  If I had to choose, I would say that the absinthe mints are the best of the two.

I know there is recipies involving alcohol. I search for recipies with absinthe.  No luck.  Only recipies of cocktails.  Is it because nobody thought of putting absinthe in food?  Would be a good idea.  I am not really good with recipies, so, I am ill placed in creating new recipies.  Meanwhile, I may search recipies with star anise.

Silver

Some say that diamond is a girl best friend.  In my case, I would replace diamond with silver.  I like the color of silver.  I liked and miss working with silver.  I only worked with this metal when I had my first classes.  I pick it up because I wasn't interested in gold jewelry.  It was an alternative.  With time, it grew on me.  Handling this metal made me appreciate it.

Recently, I found the site of the Silver Institute (https://www.silverinstitute.org/site/).  It seems to be a more formal site on silver.  It made me a little bit more curious.  I knew a few things like that the best silver worker were in Mexico.  There is the whole area of silverware.  It never interested me before and now, I am a bit curious about it.  It is more curiosity than anything else: curiosity for the knowledge.  I don't know if I would be good in silverware making, if that exist in an amateur level.

The idea of a research on silver made me remember kitco (http://www.kitco.com/).  They sell silver, among other metal, if I remember correctly.  They also have news and the prices for various metals.  The article on silver, on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver) made me realize all the uses of silver.  I knew it was a component for computer and silver could dissinfect wonds.  For dissinfecting, I learned that a bit recently, like 2-3 years ago.  At the time, I had a skin tag with a pedoncle under the armpit.  I took an appointment with my doctor.  She cut the pedoncle with scissors and put some silver product to dissinfect the cut she made.  It didn't hurt. I only sensed a pinch when she cut the pedoncle and barely the slight burn for the dissinfecting part.  So, I exit the doctor's office with a learning experience.

I don't own a silver coin, not yet.  I might be interested in the pieces with the Looney Tunes: http://www.mint.ca/store/buy/silver_coins-cat120006.   I am just not enough an expert on that area.  I don't know if there is silver coins that I would really like.  I may be a bit too much on the aesthetic side of things...

An epic fail, soap wise

I have a recent epic fail.  I know where my error are.  I think I put too much oil and not enough time under the head.  It is on the recycling soap front.  Here is the result:

It is an example.  It is oily and I am pretty sure it will crumble as I use them.  I do like the marble-like effect.  It is the good point of this experiment.  I think I can recuperate these soaps.  I will put them in other batch of soap.  I hope they will become firmer.  Well, it is weir to think to use an experiment in another experiement.  I see it more as gaining more experience, to see if it will work.

It is how we grow wiser...

I know that next time I recycle soap, I will cut them in pieces and put them in other batches of soap.  Less trouble and less mess to  clean up after.

Ordinary stones

I have collected a lot of ordinary stones.  They mainly comes from isolated road and a pit that is in a cul-de-sac.  I have lot of them.  I think that now, it is time to use them.  They are smoth.
Here some to gives an idea of their appearance:

They are of various sizes.  The smaller ones would be perfect in earrings or just on a ring.  The bigger ones will go as focal points in necklaces.  I just have to decide how to preps them for the result pieces.  For some projects, wirewrapping would worth a try.  For the ring and earrings, I will have to think more.  I don't have all the equipment for soddering.  It will be an added challege.  I could try to drill some rocks but it will probably be some of the bigger ones.

They may be some unexpensive rock, without any value.  I don't want to make expensive jewelry with them.  I just like to use what I have on hand.  It also fun to takes items and hijack them in an unrelated use.  Those rocks don't have any use beside being on the ground.  Wearing them as jewelry would be a statement.  We only give monetary value to what catch our fancy.  In addition, they will makes great tribal jewelry.  Nothing beat the tribal look with elements from nature.  Those rocks are natural as it can be!

So, lot of experimentation ahead.  Would be nice if all goes well, otherwise, I will have to adapt.  Can be a fun process if the solution include tools I already have.  I have a few other ideas with them.  I just have to see if I can translate my ideas into reality.

Ruins and a new mission

I think I will be on a mission this summer.  I wanted talk about an abandonned place near the first house I lived.  I don't have any photo of it with me.  I can't take it either this summer because the building had been torn down.  It made me think of an old barnyard but it wasn't used for that.  I think it was a building for a summer camp.  I remember I could look inside.  I couldn't enter there.  I been told it wasn't enough secure to walk inside.  If I remember correctly, the roof was in some kind of metal because it look rusty.  I thought to look on the internet to see if there was a picture of it and a few other famous ruins of my hometown.

So, I made a few research.  I sumble on a few things, in french but nothing much: the old military base in the neighbor town (http://www.urbexplayground.com/fr/rurex/lancienne-base-militaire-abandonn%C3%A9e-des-laurentides) and the Mont Sinaï hospital just before it's demolition (http://www.urbexplayground.com/fr/rurex/lh%C3%B4pital-abandonn%C3%A9-du-mont-sina%C3%AF).  So, there isn't much stuff.  Not what I wanted.  No one seems interested in old building in my hometown.

So, what will be my mission, later this summer?   I want to try photographing the places I can photograph and that haven't been destroyed yet.  I am crossing my fingers and I hope I will be able to do it.  It will also be great to put to memories those places.  There is the old rusty building that I talked were I won't be able to take a photo of it.  There will be also a ruin nearby that destroyed rusty building that no longer exist.  For the rest,  I will be able to snap a picture of them.

So, it ain't just big towns that have abandonned buildings.

Diamond

I am not really into diamond.  I do have one for it's personal history and because it is my brithstone.  I prefer other stones.  On the other hand, I have curiosity about stones, whatever it is precious or not.
I found facts on grey diamonds:
http://engagementrings.about.com/od/Fancy-Color-Diamonds/ss/Gray-Diamonds-4-Engagement-Rings-4-Fun-Facts.htm

On black diamond:
http://jewelry.about.com/od/diamonds/tp/All-About-Black-Diamonds.htm

A few articles on diamond color:
http://jewelry.about.com/od/diamondcolor/

I didn't knew diamond could have colors.  It not often seen.  Would be nice if I knew that sooner.  It won't change my mind that much but I admit that the black diamond is a bit appealing.  The grey one have a nice tint.  I just don't like grey in stones. I am more into the rainbow in that area.  It may be one reason I like stones.

Now, with those articles, I may be tempted to work with diamond if the occasion arise.  But I will prefer a colored diamond.

Feathers

I have collected a few feathers I found.  I found those ones on grass, not far from a building:

 I haven't show all those I have.  They look pretty much all the same.  Those above are the best looking ones.

I found those on a porch, the house is out of town:

I will use all my feathers to make jewelry.  I have some ideas on how to use them.  Not just for earring.  I would like to try to use feathers with barettes.  I will have to experiement on my last idea.  I am thinking about feathers and necklace.  I have to try all my ideas and see what work best.

Home cooking

I am not realling a cook.  I am not a big fan of cooking.  It can be an art for those interested in doing recipes.  I do have some respect for foodies.  They are ready to take time to make and eat good meals.  There is a lot that cover that crowd: magazine, cooking shows, whole line of gadget and items to facilitate cooking, cooking books...

It seems so easy while looking the perfection of Martha Stewart (http://www.marthastewart.com/), while she cook or see the fool proof steps of a recipes of America's test kitchen (https://www.americastestkitchen.com/).  I feel a bit of envy for all those cooking celebrities.  They are at the height of popularity.  With them, cooking become an visual art and they have people who help them.  At this level, it become a team work.  Nothing wrong with that.  They fill a need.

It is easy to buy ready made meals, go to restaurant or order onlinle for delivery.  If not using those options, there is the trend to do a meal the quick way, say 30 minutes as popularize by Ken Kostick (http://www.kenkostick.biz/) among others.  It gives the feeling that people who takes time to makes home made meals become rare birds.

I don't feel I am a good cook.  I think at some close people around me and they had some specialties.  Even if I had received some familial recipies or tricks, I don't have their magical touches.  It may come with time but when these people are gone, I feel there will have something missing in my life.  My grandma had the best toast with peanut butter and best chololate milk from cocoa powder (think of the bunny).  My mother have the best coleslaw ever.  So, maybe I feel a complex of inferiority with cooking or I haven't found my own speciality dish...

The hands as a tool

I use a lot my hand when creating.  They are my primary tools.  As with any tools, there may be some accidents or some damage.  Some wounds, especially when small or superficial cuts can heal fast.  Some others are longer to heal.  I recently damaged one of my nail:

I didn't lost the whole nail but it is uncomfortable, especially for the index finger

This is a small cut that is healing:

It is not as worst as losing the whole nail.  As a child, I lost one nail on one of my pinky finger.  It was a learning experience.  On the other hand, it was really sensitive. I was happy to have my nail back and that nail continuously grow.  It took some time to return to normal.

Now, I better take care more of my hands, at least protecting my hands when needed.

Bad uses for coconot oil

Usually, there are countdown on useful tip on products.  I found things that better being skipped:
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/home-remedies/tp/Common-Coconut-Oil-Mistakes-People-Make.htm
There is the one where it could makes the floor slippery.  I know it because I have experience it.  So, the advice comes a little bit too late for that one.  The one with being careful when having coconut oils with the bedding sheets, it is a bit of a no brainer.  It can be said of any oils.  I remember that I had to put some sock after my foot massage with olive oil, as a child.

The list made me smile even if I didn't knew not to put too much of coconut oil down the drain.  So used to received useful and positive tips.  It almost feel a bit strange on advices that state not doing some things.  Usually, the not to do lists apply more to science related topics or like the Mythbuster (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters.)

I think I saw another text on some tips in using coconut oil (http://beauty.about.com/od/cleansers/a/5-Amazing-Beauty-Uses-For-Coconut-Oil.htm or http://skincare.about.com/od/spa/ss/10-Ways-to-Use-Coconut-Oil-in-Your-Beauty-Routine.htm or http://diy.about.com/od/DIY-Cleaning/fl/25-Ways-To-Use-Coconut-Oil-Around-Your-Home.htm).  I think those texts would be better being together.  Would be great to compare the to do and not to do.  Both are related, anyway.