Getting inspiration

I often look at project on various plateform.  Be it the internet, magazines, classes various crafting kits, etc...  I don't always really do as the project is illustrated.  I like better to use projects I see as a jumping point for other projects.  Sometimes it is unrelated.

In the soap class I had taken, I remember having putting some different colored soap cubes in one of my soap.  It had a nice effect.  I done it with halloween molds (pumpkins and skull) to make soap pieces in those forms.  After that, I took those pieces and put it in a bigger differently colored soap.  It had a nice result.  Since then, I have used those soaps.  I now regret not having taken some photos then.  I may try it again in the near future.

I have found a project where I like the combination.  I had done something similar with the little skulls soaps.  I had done them with shea butter soap and I had put them in colored transparent soap.  The project is here: http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soaprecipes/ss/xmaschunksoap.htm?nl=1
It is done with soap bases.  It is chunks of colored soap in a white "enrobing".  Seeing the result, at the end of the tutorial is quite good looking.

It also makes me think of a unrelated technique that give a similar result but in jewelry: the rhinestones with epoxy clays.  When I started, there was only white and black epoxy clays.  Now, the palette is more varied.  I am not really into the bling thing.  But I am tempted to try with the new colors available.  I have found some here: http://www.amazon.ca/Crystal-Clay-2-Part-Epoxy-Green/dp/B009LSRCPI/ref=sr_1_4?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1418844012&sr=1-4&keywords=epoxy+clay
I will take one of them if I fail to find them at my craft store.

Candle making

Just saw this post: http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/holidayprojects/a/christmascandle.htm?nl=1
It is about Christmas mainly.  There is a little touch about candles.  Thinking of it, candles are a perfect fit with the holidays.  Candles are perfect to set a soft glowy mood.  They can be decorative.  I like those who are scented.

I do have many scented candles.  I buy from dark candles (http://darkcandles.com/)  I started to buy there before I learned to do candles.  I like the scent they have for their candles.  I can't find the scent they use in the craft stores I go.   On the dark candles website, they do have simmering oils but I don't think it can be used in candles.

I know of the Black Phoenix Alchemy lab (http://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/) do have scent.  I just haven't look closely enough to see if they have similar scent that Dark Candles uses.  I haven't bought anything there in a while.  They have nice scent.

I have done some candles.  Both in a class in a craft store and in home.  I haven't done any since a while.  Maybe it is time to do some again.  I just have go buy some wax.  I also think I will buy some wax sheet.   It is a fun way to do candles too.  I think I will show the result to some people.  Maybe they will like it too!

Christmas wonderland, winter photos

 

The photos talk of themselves.  It is winter and there is snow.  Today, it is Christmas.  I wanted to do soemthing different.  I am thinking to start to take photos again.  It is a nice past time but it will help me for my tarot too.  I will take some photos this summer.  I have a few ideas of some places where I want to take some photos.  It will makes good photos, as I hope to take good ones.

Absinthe

Absinthe have a part in the history of creativity.  There was a time where it was really popular.  Some famous writers and artists were drinking absinthe.  It is making a coming back.  Recently, I bought some to try.  I found a few videos on the subjet.

Here are a debunking of some myths about it and some infos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YfqDpMZEhg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w09gGXpycjk&index=623&list=WL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHUlDt2lM_g&index=623&list=WL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igsc1CfcmGQ&list=WL&index=831 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxOGv6jHRKE&index=833&list=WL It show how it is made.

Here about the history of absinthe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW_EWtjx1TA&list=WL&index=622
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zKXL8GBh2E&index=834&list=WL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTvx11Fsq9g&index=814&list=WL  About history, alcohol content, an interesting bohemian way of drinking absinthe, a lot of explanation and some tasting.

A visit to absinthe makers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLYUqO-wMm4&list=WL&index=829
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb_I5Bi7DVQ&index=829&list=WL

Here are a few videos on how to drink it and the tools:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3zd6X43qqE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV3GOb7cNYM&index=622&list=WL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HkH1glleNs&index=833&list=WL  It show two ways to prepare absinthe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAPj6CX4h5U&list=WL&index=834
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AWNmRd_Ab8&list=WL&index=833  It show how to do absinthe without any fountain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaUYgo0T3mg&list=WL&index=828  It show without a fountain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57V1ukdo5fM&index=842&list=WL  It show the Czech technique of drinking it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiodSnP2AIc  Another one on the Czech technique of preparing it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NntaiAu419c&index=838&list=WL To look if you are in a hurry.

There are cocktails that can be made with absinthe.  It is two of them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2SBIeeQQw&list=WL&index=841
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLeLgjRv2vw

I even found an absinthe popsicles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wky6VmP3TtU

A French documentary on absinthe in two part:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d73PRYj1vNI&list=WL&index=829
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DfGG7OVgH8


There are other good videos out there.  I only saw a few that where a little bit less good.  I even saw one that had a humoristic tone.  Absinthe is like other drink but many artists where fan of it.  Just though it would be good to inform people about it, for this time of year.  As for every drink, drink responsively.

I suggest taking it after eating, as a digestive.  The effects I got was being light headed and seeing clearer.  It also aid for the digestion.  The smell and taste is licorice, at least for the absinthe I drank.  I drank with both sugar and no sugar.  The sugar mask a little bit the taste and there is a bit of the sugary taste in it.  It have more the taste of licorice without sugar.  I took Absente, it is a French absinthe from Provence.  The alcohol content is 55% and the bottle contain 750ml.  There is an autoportrait of Vincent Van Gogh on the carton the bottle is in.

I have found the magician!

I have found another card for my personal tarot card.  It will be the Magician.  I think it is the perfect fit for the Magician.

I will have some ajustment to do.  Mainly centering on the child.  This photo is from my personal photo file.  It is the first card that have someone in it.  It was taken on the spur of the moment.  Nothing planified.  Maybe it is better that way.  It was unexpected and it is fine with me.  As it is an "accident", it force me to see things from another angle.  Now, I have another direction to explore.

When I first had the idea of a personal tarot deck, I haven't thought of putting people on the cards.  I was thinking of statures, buildings, inanimate objects, outside scene including park, trees and the like.  My thoughts on making a personal tarot was limited to that.  I thought I would have enough material to make 78 cards.  Now, as I do the process, I see I may expand a little bit on that.

During the creative process, it is not always going according to plan.  Diverting from the expected can be a good thing.  Well, in this case, I think it is.  I can go on and limit myself to what I thought.  On the other hand, I haven't found any better Magician.  This photo will do perfectly for now.  No card is set in stone right now.  I haven't crossed the path of a statue that have a similar posture, so, I will take the photo as it is.  Who know if I find another photo that is even better?

Peyote stitch and a Christmas gift.

I am happy when I am able to practice what I learned in classes.  I took many classes.  There isn't always the occasion to practice.  Ths year, I had practice one technique that I learned in a class on plastic.  I haven't practice much since the class.  While doing the gift, I kind of regret it .  I had show it to a person, to see if it was okay.  It is a necklace and some component are with plastic in it.  Here is the result:

 The plastic part could be a little bit better.  I am not totally satisfied with it.  It was the first time I was using the plastic outside the class.  I use the little oven I use for polymer clay (fimo).  I have gained experienced for sure.  It is just that more experiment is needed for me to be satisfied.  Otherwhise, the necklace is great.  I just hope it will be durable.  It is one of the thing I doubt when making jewelry, especially as gift.

Another technique that I learned a while ago.  It was seven years ago.  It was peyote stitch.  I loved that technique and I have used it quite often since.  I have done many rings with that technique.  Here are a few example:

I like being able to play with the type and colors of beads.  I became quite good at it.  I like doing it too.  Three years ago, I even made a bracelet with that technique.  I just haven't finished it yet.  I haven't found any closing for that bracelet.  I haven't searched hard.  I think it is time to search for that a little bit more actively.  I am not into needlework but the peyote stitch is something I like enough to pass over the needle.

Show and tell: Knitting.

I do knit.  I consider myself a beginner.  I say that because I know the basic of knitting.  I know how to begin and end a project.  I know the various stitches.  Beyond that, it is not very a useful thing.  I have a really vague idea on how to make socks but I don't knot if it is realistic.  I don't know how to do mitten and other wintery stuff.  Can't do sweater either.  Doing ribs, I am not sure.  Maybe I learned about it but I don't remember.  I don't know if I can do rib.  I only know how to do scarves, bags and blankets.  So, this is why I consider myself a beginner.
I have started a blanket for a child.  Here are where I am.  I still in the beginning:

It is a nice pattern.  It is the first time that I use that checkered pattern.  It is going good enough.  I ain't slowed down by the complexity of the patter.  It is goind better than I had expected.  It is fun to make.  So, this project won't be a burden.  It will just take some time, as for any blanket.  I stil work on it on my free time.

Now, here a project I would like to make:

It is the last pair of sock I got from my grandma.  I no longer fit in them.  Never wore them either.  I keep them more for a sentimental reason.  I know they are a bit flashy.  It gives a bit a eye's migraine.  But I wouldn't trade them.   Maybe, one day, I will learn how to make them.  Would be nice to find a place where to learn to make socks.  I can go for written instruction.  The only thing is I can't ask question to the instructions.  No one there to watch over my shoulder and say if it is okay or not.  This is why I like taking class: to know the basis, to ask question, be able to makes errors and how to fix it in a safe environment, to be able to get an interaction and see if I am going in the right direction.