Monday, October 20, 2008

Aliens Have Invaded!

Please say hello to our newest friends... Duopony & Lyle, straight from the book "Invasion of the Plush Monsters". They're the first furry creatures I've made and they came out pretty okay, if I do say! :) I had a bit of a learning curve with the fur, but they didn't take very long to make. Like the fool I am, I tried to sew Lyle on the machine with all my big thick layers of fur, horns, and fleece. Luckily, it occurred to me before I broke my machine that hand sewing would be the proper course of action. Another first was using clear, poly thread. Ah-hem. I have bad eyes.

Speaking of eyes, it's impossible to find good eyes around here. Joann's had 1 set of just brown eyes that worked, but weren't exactly what I wanted. I used buttons for Duopony's eyes instead. And the faux fur choices were slim pickin's. So, we worked with what we found (and was on sale)! I've got one more alien cut and ready to sew. (That sounds weird.) The invasion begins!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Chris Cornell Broke My Heart

So, I'm sitting the other night enduring the torture that was "Fashion Rocks" on CBS and wondering why I was doing such a maddening thing to start off with.

I was rewarded (I thought) for my pain by the announcement that Chris Cornell was coming up on the show. This was immediately (ok, embarrassingly) followed by my shrieks of "Chris Cornell's on my TV! Chris Cornell's on my TV" like a lunatic.

Then it started. The Apocalypse itself. I had to get up and look out my window to be sure the planets weren't hurtling towards the Earth as the world ended.

I knew... I knew about Timbaland and Chris. I really wanted to ignore that it was truth. But here, was my Rock God, in a Timbaland - I guess, tribute? - introduced by Tyra friggin' Banks on national TV; sandwiched in between a freaked out Timbaland video spot, One Republic and wait for it.... the Pussycat Dolls. I seriously thought the world was ending.

Chris Cornell has long been my favored rock singer. I do truly love Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) but really, no one has anything on Chris. I squeezed in dismal, concrete, tiny halls to bear witness to his glory during the Soundgarden days. Had my ribs bruised in the mosh pit at Lollapalooza, ages ago when it was still cool, to stand close. I *still* remember the day I heard on the radio that Soundgarden was no more. I blare Audioslave from my car stereo; so proud as a mother to have my 12 y.o. singing along to "Show Me How to Live". No rock singer has his voice, his seemingly easy talent, and his way with lyrics. Did I mention he's beautiful? Okay, that's actually beside the point because his voice is amazing.

And here he was on stage with Timbaland and the - I can't bear to say their name - P.D.'s. On top of it all, he was terrible. His beautiful, soaring voice was mixed so low which was just as well because he sang in a tone that was not much more than a grumble. Not to mention the song was terrible. N. ran in to see what all my fuss was about and he said "That's not very good." So, it was then my duty as a mother to be sure the next day that he knew the real Chris Cornell, not this stranger on the stage. I had to school him in Badmotorfinger and his new favorite song that I mentioned before. He couldn't believe it was the same person.

I understand the need for an artist to stretch their wings; to express themselves in a way that their soul hasn't reached before. I get it. I do. But this? He looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a car certain to bring the end. Either that or it was the glare from the boobs-a-poppin' Pussycat Dolls' mess that threw him off. Either way. Heart. Broken.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Changing My Libra Mind...

So, I changed my blog name. I did love the other, but I'm going to be working on selling some creations and my etsy shop is - okay, will be when I'm actually ready - Spirit Rising. I thought I should have names that go together. Anyway, I'm a Libra and being indecisive and changing my mind a billion times fits the bill!

On a sad note, my 12 y.o. son N.'s pet frog died yesterday and we had a little burial for her today. I sewed a little pouch for her out of froggy fabric and we buried her in the front yard. We're going to head out to find a little garden statue to mark her place. N.'s handling it as well as can be expected. It's hard for him to open up but, thankfully, he will come to me when it's too much and we'll talk and cry a bit. One thing I've learned over the years is how to deal with grief. There's a lesson I'd gladly give back.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

On rogue robots and all...

I've meant to blog forever. Doesn't everyone say that? I'm always pulled back by the idea of people I know reading my thoughts and thinking I'm nuts or something. So, I'm trying to be over that and just write because I love to write. I discovered that picking a blog name is quite the task. My boys and I went to see "Wall-E" today and the phrase "rogue robots" is used throughout and it just caught my ear. I told them it would make a great band name, then in working on the blog - I thought what the heck... it could apply. I've always marched to my own drummer, so I guess rogue can work. And well, robots are just cool.

And speaking of robots, I loved that movie. Loved it. It was just a wonderful, sweet story with a love story, adventure, and good lessons for the kids throughout. I totally teared up at the end and if something had happened to that robot, I might have started bawling right there in AMC's theater 14. I think I've said 10 times today how much I just loved it. I wanted to take Wall-E home with me. Totally sucked into the Disney machine, we went right to the Disney store after the movie with the hope of getting a little Wall-E guy to indeed take home. Alas, they were sold out.

What else today... I'm online searching for patterns to knit little hats for preemie babies and realizing how truly limited my knitting skills are. Sigh. I'm trying to focus my creative energy and get working on projects I've intended to but not done. After our foray at the movie and the Disney store, I dragged the kids over to Joann's to get some supplies for a quilt I'm working on for a friend's baby and for another preemie project I'm going to start. So, progress is being made. Yay me. Even my cat, Fancy, thought she'd be helpful and get me going on my project.

So, this is my first random post. You can get a feel for how my brain works - all over the place!