Defective Compositions: April 2011

Capture - Knick-Knacks

Wow, thank you to the people who participated in last week's challenge! Since there were just a couple, I thought I would link to Emily Grace Photography (1st participant), and show you the entry of V.J. (2nd participant!).

I just <3 bee-hives, don't you? Thanks V.J.! :)

Thank you for participating, you guys!

This week, share a picture of your favorite knick-knack. I'm sure you all have one! Mine is a tiny glass goat with green horns. I'll show it to you next week, so be sure to come back!

Simple T-Shirt Refashion

Wow, this is basically my first tutorial, and I'm really excited about it! I was looking around online for a simple way to transform a boxy t-shirt into something a little less...wide, and wasn't finding a whole lot for what I wanted.

Please understand that I am just a DIY wanna-be. If there are ways I can improve this incredibly simple tutorial, I would love to hear them!

So, here it is!

My attempt turned out a little smaller than I expected, so make sure you give yourself a little extra room!

1. Figure out where you want the narrowest point of your shirt to be and place a pin there. Cut in a large, shallow curve, leaving 5/8" seam allowance.

2. Lay one sleeve flat and trim it slightly it in a curve to create a cap sleeve. Sort of.

3. If you want, re-sew the shoulder seam. I did mine with a 5/8" seam allowance, and it did what I wanted it to.

4. Trim the seam, and use a zig-zag stitch to lock the edges.

5. Turn the edge of the sleeve under, and pin a lace or trim of your choice to the turned edge. Sew.
6. Sew shirt sides. Trim. Zig-zag stitch to lock edges.

7. Enjoy!

The Mid-Blog Crisis has Finally Happened!

I have been thinking lately, that many of the posts I have shared on here have been kind of pointless. In the grand scheme of things they aren't really going to matter.

The problem is, I can't think of anything to write about that does matter that hasn't already been covered a thousand times on other blogs. I often catch myself doing or learning something that I think "This would make a great blog post!", but then I wonder what the reasoning behind my wanting to post it is.

There are several possible answers.

I want comments. Try as hard as I might, I can't get away from the trap of rating my blog by how many comments I get. I constantly tell myself that it doesn't really matter, but my emotions contradict my mind and that complicates everything.
It would be a popular post. This falls right in with the first one. If you want to make it as a blogger, but you aren't yet, then the desire for popularity is going to pop up some time. Unless of course you are just naturally fabulous and attract followers like flies to old fruit. Sorry for the icky comparison, but it's true. I am constantly thinking that blogging about the wacky organization of my sock drawer (pah!), will be wildly popular and draw in new followers and comments. It's another trap.
I could enter it in a meme. Don't get me wrong, I love meme's just as much as the next average blogger, but aren't they a wonderful excuse for not posting real content? Don't worry, I'm not going to give up Capture yet (is anyone really worried?), but if your blog is all memes and and no substance, it's a kind of like lazy blogging. (This is not to say that I will not enter some fabulous memes, but if I do I need to make sure I have a balance of good hard stuff, and fluff.)
It makes me look like a good person. Wow, doesn't this hearken back to the Pharisees? Sheesh, I'm almost scared of how much I think that some times. This is one of those traps that is very, very difficult for me to avoid. I see those bloggers out there who post inspiring and encouraging articles, and desperately want to be one and hope that posting things like this will make it happen. Wrong.
Last but not least, I want to share something that I have learned in the hopes that it will edify and encourage others. How often do I actually post something with this in mind? I'm honestly ashamed to say, and this is where this particular post comes to a head.

Folks, I guess I'm going through that mid-blog crisis that I have seen many bloggers go through before. You reach a certain point where you realize that you aren't really going somewhere anymore. Somehow along the road you got sidetracked and now have to ask for directions. Some people just quit, which is totally understandable. Priorities are priorities after all. Your kids are definitely more important than your blog.

Some people take a break and re-evaluate their blogging purpose. Sometimes this leads into quitting the blog world, and sometimes the person will come back renewed and on fire.

This is where I'm at. I'm no longer sure of my blogging purpose, and in fact I've never really known it. I don't necessarily want to take a break, but I definitely need to re-evaluate.

So, I'm asking for your advice. What has helped you in your blogging adventures to redirect things back to something that is honestly helpful for others? What would you suggest to help decipher and choose right reasons for posting about something? Do you really care how often your favorite bloggers post? You still eagerly anticipate their posts, even if it has been several weeks since the last one. Sometimes it would be better to forget quantity and concentrate on quality, I think.

My sister, Georgie, has already suggested leaving off the tacky questions, but in this case, I think they're okay. I really want to know your answers.

Oh, and by the way, this post was supposed to be a bit melodramatic. Just so ya know.

Proverbs 3:6
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Capture - Nature

This week's theme is photograph something that is natural or native to your area. This can be plants, animals, people (if you have their permission!), landmarks, or anything, but it has to be a fair representative of your region. If your picture needs to be explained a little, all the better!

It's a pretty broad first category, but it should prove fun and interesting.

Here's mine.

Taken with a Canon Powershot SX 10 IS, and curves slightly edited.

I took the obvious approach and decided to go with a plant as my representation of my area. This is a native moss growing on the branch of a dead Sage Brush. This is very typical in our area, of moss growing on...just about anything! Despite that fact, we live in a very dry area.

Now, go capture and be happy!

Capture - A Weekly Phototgraphy Challenge

Alright, I know that I'm no Ansel Adams, but I do enjoy photography, and I would definitely love it if I could learn more, be inspired more, and be challenged more, to grow in this hobby.

What better way than to start a photography challenge? Granted, there are a million and one photography challenges out there in World Wide Web, but this is my photography challenge, and I'm excited to share it with you.

It's pretty simple, really. Once a week, I will supply a theme, and anyone who participates takes a picture based on their interpretation of that theme, and posts it on their blog, Facebook, or whatever. Then you come back to the current Capture post and link up!

For those who would like to let the world know what you are doing, you can use both the banner above, and the button below on your blog.

The first post will be coming soon, and I can't wait to see who participates!

So We Went Bowling

Last week the married couples of our church got together for a Sweetheart Dinner. No kids allowed. (Obviously!) So, I grabbed the keys, grabbed my siblings, and we headed off to the bowling alley.

Alright, so it didn't happen quite like that. We had to pick up Georgie and Fin from play practice, and then we went to Carl's Jr. for dinner first, where we all had a really good time. Kekoa (my brother), decided that it was strange that us girls always compare people that we see to actors, or movie characters. We all realized that it was really true, so we laughed pretty hard. Its just a random, interesting observation that we made.

We were all notoriously bad at bowling. Seriously, we were worse than the little children that we saw there. Sometimes we were superbly embarrassed, but we all managed to survive it, thank goodness. I think it was probably beneficial for our character development, anyway.

Fin's awesome bowling shoe.

So, Sammy, we took these pictures just for you, because we knew that you would be just as much in love with the bowling shoes as we were. We think that we should all buy some old bowling shoes to wear when we travel in the Olive Green Van. Just a thought.

Oh, and did I mention that we had a blast?

Tavin Chase Eshley - Episode Two

It's that time of the month again! Georgie and Sam started a meme last month, to help writers or wanna-be writers get to know their characters better. So, be sure to do your own Beautiful People post!

I've decided to continue with Tavin this month, and hopefully learn enough about him to actually start writing his story!

How old is he/she?
Let me see, I would say that Tavin is about...oh, 24.

What does he/she do in his/her spare time.
Mostly he studies in his spare time, although studious is not necessarily a term that would be descriptive of him. He's just determined and self-disciplined. He does like skiing, hiking, reading, and filling out forms.

Is he/she see the big picture, or live in the moment?

Perhaps a little more visionary than most, Tavin is also good at calculating the next step of the opponent, and forming his own plans based on that. He's awesome at chess. That doesn't mean that he doesn't miss some of the most important things.

Is he/she a perfectionist?

Not exactly. He likes to do things the right way, but it isn't just for the sake of being perfect. He knows that a job well done speaks volumes.

What does his/her handwriting look like? (round, slanted, curly, skinny, sloppy, neat, decorative, etc)

Very small and cramped, but regular and consistent, with a funny squiggle above the 'i'.

Favorite animal?

Tavin likes cats, because they are usually calm, quiet animals who can be affectionate if they choose, but are also very independent.

Does he/she have any pets?

Not currently.

Does he/she have any siblings, how many, and where does he/she fit in?

He does have one older brother who has been a success in the financial industry, but he lives in a distant place, and their lives don't cross a whole lot.

Does he/she have a "life verse" and if so what is it?

Whew! This is a hard question! I thought of verses that talk about servant-hood, and sacrifice, but none really seem to fit. I guess I'll have to think on this one.

Favorite writing utensil?

Definitely a computer, or a small personal electronic device. He lives a little bit more in the future, so it's hard to say really...

Well, there you have this months questions about my character Tavin. I'm not feeling really inspired yet, so maybe I need to go read The Lamb Among the Stars Series. Did you do the Beautiful People post this month? What helps you to develop a plot or character?

New Graphics! - Polaroids

I just posted a collection of polaroid for you to use in your blog. Run over to The Graphic Girls to check them out! Here's a fun fact...I took all of those pictures myself. Isn't it great to be able to work with images you took yourself?

Check out the post on The Graphic Girls, but come back and tell me which of the polaroid graphics is your favorite!

Well, it's a little hard to believe, but I am home.

Book Review - The Monster at the End of This Book

The Monster at the End of this Book (Big Little Golden Book)

The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I first had the idea for writing a review about this book, I wondered if I would even be able to make it beyond a few sentences. I mean, writing a review for a silly children's story isn't exactly groundbreaking material.

However, just because it's a kid's book doesn't mean I can't share it with you, does it?

My Synopsis

The Monster at the End of this Book let's us communicate with the Sesame Street friend, Grover, as he struggles with overcoming his fear of Monsters. Having read the title page, he's desperate to prevent you, as the reader, from getting to the end of the book, and thus the monster! What he doesn't know, and what the reader is surprised to discover is a mystery that will keep you and your small friends reading it again and again.

My Thoughts

The Monster at the End of this Book is a super fun, interactive reading experience that draws a child into it in a way that many static books can never hope to achieve. Each page presents the new, and increasingly funny obstacle of turning the next page, and watching with bright eyes for Grover's hilarious response.

Of course, the book was meant to be read with specific energy. In fact, how could the reader not read it with the excitement that it demands? It draws older audiences in too, entertaining them with the child's delight, and the creative story.

Not only that, but for us older readers, if we really look, we can see a lesson of ourselves. It might be a bit of a stretch to say such a thing. It's true, though! How often do we get worked up about something that proves to have been nothing after all? We build walls and barricades in an effort to prevent our fears from approaching, only to have it dodge our walls and discover that it was nothing that we couldn't handle, especially with help from the Lord. Unlike Grover, though, who leaves embarrassed, we are given grace to pick us back up from our embarrassment and set us back on the way again.

My recommendation? Definitely read this book. It's a reading experience that you and your little friend's will never forget. :)

View all my reviews

It's a Forever-Change

In a few short days I will be escorted home by my loving family. As in, home. My home. The bit of land in the world that I will forever consider as the place where I grew up, and the place I love.

It will be a change, and in some ways a big change. I'm not going home to the same house that I have known. I've never lived in this house before. I'm not going home to be doing the same things that I've done before, as I will be getting a job, doing activities, driving myself around in my own car, and so forth. I'm certainly not going to be eating the same food as I have known, as my family is on a special diet that you can read more about on my Mom's blog, Sagerat's Scribbles.

As I've thought of some of these things, getting a job, a new diet, and so forth and so on, they have worried me incessantly. If any of you know me at all, you'll know that I am a major worry wart. A diet? Well, how long does the diet go for? What kind of foods are allowed on it? Is pizza? Because I love pizza and I don't really want to completely give that up. What about lasagna?

Sometimes I am excited about getting job, and it will be exciting! Worrying gets to me though. What if my family goes on a trip and I have to miss out because of my job? What if I am asked to do something that is really hard for me? What if I mess up?

I know that some of these things sound silly. Ridiculously silly in some cases. Obviously, I need to remember:

"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." ~ Psalm 55:22

The biggest thing that has frightened me about some of these things is that they represent a forever-change, in a sense. Do you know what I mean by that? To me, a forever-change is a change that will be long-term. It may not really be for forever, but it sure seems like it. A forever-change is something that you won't be able to get out of easily, once you start.

Usually, the goal of a diet is to retrain your body to eat less and enjoy the right kinds of foods. Generally this does not involve pizza. How could anyone not eat pizza for the rest of their life? Another thing that I have experienced in this diet is that so far it is very limited and I really don't like being limited.

Using my other example, I actually have yet to enter the work-force. Granted I am signed up as a Pampered Chef consultant, but with the way that is going, I feel like it's not a real job. If I get a real job, it will be a forever-change, in a way. I'll have to learn that I'm going to miss out on some things. I'll have to learn that I will make mistakes, and I'll have to learn from them. Once I start, there won't be any turning back.

It took me a while to realize that this is one of the root problems with a lot of my fears. When my sister and I were little we didn't like change. When we learned we couldn't ride in the shopping cart anymore, we were devastated. When they would change the characters in our favorite TV show, Zoom, we were angry. Our Mother would generally state that her children hated change. She wasn't necessarily proud of that fact, she was just making a statement.

Then I thought I had mostly grown out of it. At least, to a normal standpoint. Everyone has their ideas of what should or shouldn't change. As I got closer to moving home, just a few weeks ago, I realized that I hadn't changed (and what else is new?). That one of my root fears is actually just that. The fear of change. Of forever-change.

The thought that quickly flashed through my mind, was that if I wasn't a Christian already, then I would have a very hard time becoming one, because that my friends, is a forever-change in the exact and literal meaning of the words.

Wow. Wait a minute. Did I really just say that? Well, it's true. I am one of those people who wants absolute control over what is going on. It may not seem like it sometimes, but I am a very controlling person. Christianity is a loss of control.

"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." ~ Matthew 10:39

Becoming a Christian is the ultimate forever-change, friends. It means giving up my control and letting someone else take over. I became a Christian quite a few years ago, but I guess I still needed to learn that loving Christ was the best change that I ever made, especially when He can help me make it through those petty, everyday changes.

What changes are you facing right now, and what helps you to overcome your fear of them? How would you define "forever-change"? Which of God's promises help you when you are worried?