tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-115880242024-03-12T18:42:51.786-05:00Kara PaintsFind me now at KaraPaints dot com! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.comBlogger421125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-74416041023143939432014-05-06T14:58:00.001-05:002014-05-06T14:58:17.192-05:00Farewell, Blogger! Hello Dot Com!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have had enough with the frustration of hackers putting pop-ups all over this blog.<br />
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I've moved to KaraPaints(dot)com<br />
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Come and visit me there, won't you?<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-38821185827950699102014-04-29T21:16:00.001-05:002014-04-29T22:09:45.576-05:00Exploring the Immigrant Experience through Literature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Greetings! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'd like to take a brief moment to talk about this<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/karacrafts/exploring-the-immigrant-experience/" target="_blank"> bibliography</a> I have compiled, who it is for and why we (as Americans) need it. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8UUPUc8QNWs/U2BpRakwwqI/AAAAAAAAWio/YjJ9hWnxip8/s1600/people_faces_2-other.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8UUPUc8QNWs/U2BpRakwwqI/AAAAAAAAWio/YjJ9hWnxip8/s1600/people_faces_2-other.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My final project for <i>Library Materials for Children</i> centers around literature that explores the immigrant experience in North America. The materials collected are for children in grades 3-5, and cover a range of materials from picture books to novels as well as a wide variety of experiences. These books can be used in a classroom setting as part of the social studies curriculum or in the home as jumping off points for conversations about cultural heritage and family traditions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As America is made of a patchwork of cultural histories and traditions all swirled together, it is important for children to learn about the many peoples who have become a part of the America we live in today. At some point in their lives, all children will meet someone who is “not from here”—whether that means another town, another state or another nation--and it is in everyone's best interest for our children to be able to empathize with that person. Today, one in every eight residents in the United States is foreign-born, and in more than 2/3 of the country foreign-born residents make up more than 5% of the population. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As cross-border
travel becomes easier and global communication becomes more frequent with the rise of the digital age, it is
imperative that children understand that we are all human even though we may have different cultural traditions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have all experienced the magic of a book: to transport us into someone else's life, to show us the world as we haven't seen it before. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I hope you will consider sharing some of these books with the kids in your life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is a list of the titles I have compiled. To read brief summaries, please go to my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/karacrafts/exploring-the-immigrant-experience/" target="_blank">Pinterest </a>board.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Alvarez, Julia. "Return to Sender" (2010).</span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Cheng, Andrea. "Honeysuckle House" (2004).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Fleischman, Paul. "The Matchbox Diary" (2013).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Himelblau, Linda. "The Trouble Begins" (2005).</span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">House, Silas and Vaswani, Neela. "Same Sun Here" (2013).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Khan, Rukhsana. "Big Red Lollipop" (2010).</span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Lai, Thanhha. "Inside Out and Back Again" (2013).</span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Lombardo, Jenny. "Drita, My Homegirl" (2006).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Moore, Julianne. "My Mom Is a Foreigner, But Not to Me" (2013). </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Smith, David J. "If America Were a Village: A Book about the People of the United " (2009).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Tan, Shaun. "The Arrival" (2007). </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Trottier, Maxine. "Migrant" (2011).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Walker, Paul Robert. "All About America: A Nation of Immigrants" (2012)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Williams, Karen Lynn. "My Name Is Sangoel" (2009).</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-66992568974225654172014-04-28T15:00:00.000-05:002014-04-28T15:00:00.406-05:00Thoughts on books<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In case I haven't told you, or you weren't here when I mentioned it: I am getting my degree to be a LIBRARIAN. It's kind of like being a superhero but without the cape. Specifically, I am looking to work with children and teens. Adults, you guys are great, but you aren't going to sit on the floor with me and ooh over a picture book. You <i>might </i>come to an event where we explore how to make a podcast or a digital story--and that would be awesome. The tools available today to tell your own story are AMAZING. But there is this one thing that kids & teens have that adults seem to be missing--enthusiasm. I love spending time with people who have that deep-in-their-bones joy about <i>something</i>. And I don't care what that something is: dinosaurs, dance, Minecraft, sports, whatever is your reason to get a bounce in your step is awesome by me. I've had people ask me: then why not be a teacher? I've thought about that, but I am pretty sure the only thing I am cut out to teach is art. (I don't know if you adults have noticed, but art is usually the first thing on the chopping block when budgets get tight) But as a librarian--I can do ART and work with books and work with kids. It's a win-win-win.<br />
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So...what's so amazing about books?<br />
EVERYTHING.<br />
Every book you have ever read started out as an idea inside someone else's head. Through books, you get to explore not just your own imagination but the imagination of the author (and illustrator)--and get this: that exploration makes your own imagination grow bigger.<br />
Through books, you can learn about ANYTHING. Want to build a robot? There's a book for that. Who was the guy that designed the first lunar module? There's a book for that. How do I become a veterinarian? There's a book for that too.<br />
Through books, you can travel ANYWHERE. Places on Earth? Sure! Places in space? Sure! Places somebody dreamed up that aren't on this Earth or in our space? Sure!<br />
Having a rough day? There's a book for that.<br />
Going to the dentist for the first time? There's a book for that.<br />
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Every now and then, I'm going to be offering up lists of books and talking about some things that I find interesting in the world of books and libraries. If you are looking for books on specific topics, you can email me (karapaints (at) gmail (dot) com) and I'll do my best to find the book that's right for you. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-89547640570785233302014-02-20T20:47:00.003-06:002014-02-20T21:25:37.719-06:00Homework, is that you?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm working on coming up with a handout/lesson plan for teaching people how to use Blogger for a class (in a public library setting--<i>relax</i>, I'm not making any money here). And it occurs to me that I have been using Blogger for so long (10 years--<i>YIKES</i>) that it all seems second nature to me.<br />
The challenge is to take a step back and look at it with a newcomer's eyes-- what is the very fundamental lesson that one needs to start with? What else needs to be included? What can be left out of an intro class?<br />
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And truth be told, Blogger is probably the easiest way to start blogging. The templates/layout are already done. The toolbars are really similar to Microsoft Word.<br />
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Yeah. So, enough procrastinating.<br />
Back to working on that handout.<br />
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Stay classy, interwebs.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-72666775235162174042014-02-09T20:43:00.001-06:002014-02-09T20:43:37.882-06:00DAY WHATEVER!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The funniest thing to me about the fact that I completely dropped the 30-day-photo-challenge was that I dropped on the day I was supposed to take a photo of a good habit. ALL I could think of was flossing my teeth--which, ew, nobody wants to watch and shhh, don't tell my dentist, I only do like every other day or when I remember or after I have eaten a pulled pork sandwich and food is squished up in between my teeth (see: ew, nobody wants to watch).<br />
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So I am going to take a page from the playbook of Miss Piggy, and change the subject completely. Over Christmas, Fiona and I took a bunch of selfies while at my in-laws house. This one is my favorite, because I am lovingly kissing her forehead and she is in the process of making a goofy face. It sums up our relationship fairly well.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZPza7d5M6M/Uvg8HfD1gLI/AAAAAAAAWG0/hoK7gtEY-C0/s1600/IMG_1811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZPza7d5M6M/Uvg8HfD1gLI/AAAAAAAAWG0/hoK7gtEY-C0/s1600/IMG_1811.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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I am in the thick of my digital content creation class and learning how to make new digital things like movies and podcasts! Once I figure out how to upload a podcast, I will totally share that with you. It's possible that the only person that will be interested in said podcast is my mom (Hi, Mom!), but I'm going to throw it out there because I made it. And it's kind of like painting with sound.<br />
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That got weird really quickly. I probably shouldn't type these things out when I'm reaching the end of a manic weekend and actively procrastinating. I am the Queen of the ProcrastiNation--I have a tiara and everything.<br />
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It doesn't look like I can import an MP3 file directly into a Blogger post, so I'm going to do some poking around and see what my options are. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-51682804430516516332014-01-19T19:26:00.003-06:002014-01-19T19:26:42.382-06:00Day 14<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VJHy09mQb6s/Utx7UIMkhyI/AAAAAAAAUvE/RSdRdpoM138/s640/blogger-image--1895659404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VJHy09mQb6s/Utx7UIMkhyI/AAAAAAAAUvE/RSdRdpoM138/s640/blogger-image--1895659404.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 14: eyes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What can I say about eyes that hasn't already been said? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm glad I have eyes and I'm glad they work. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-41740146330802591952014-01-19T19:26:00.001-06:002014-01-19T19:26:08.545-06:00Day 15<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SZVdBzHwnHg/Utx7LjD64LI/AAAAAAAAUu8/A2srw_WV1TQ/s640/blogger-image-821161927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SZVdBzHwnHg/Utx7LjD64LI/AAAAAAAAUu8/A2srw_WV1TQ/s640/blogger-image-821161927.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 15: silhouette </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is from our day at the Shedd Aquarium. We got to meet a penguin! It was the coolest.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-35245637547104755052014-01-14T16:23:00.001-06:002014-01-14T16:23:17.948-06:00Day 13<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IlxYwMAHLoI/UtW41CgVpLI/AAAAAAAAUtk/WtA_A7uZ7bw/s640/blogger-image-943538635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IlxYwMAHLoI/UtW41CgVpLI/AAAAAAAAUtk/WtA_A7uZ7bw/s640/blogger-image-943538635.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 13: cannot live without</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Indoor plumbing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If I've got indoor plumbing, I know everything else will be okay.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-32962813529475393552014-01-13T16:43:00.001-06:002014-01-13T16:43:55.679-06:00Day 12<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eYIJUwGvupU/UtRsKcSoUWI/AAAAAAAAUtU/9Rt77UQyrnY/s640/blogger-image--1512749369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eYIJUwGvupU/UtRsKcSoUWI/AAAAAAAAUtU/9Rt77UQyrnY/s640/blogger-image--1512749369.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 12: sunset</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yesterday's sunset was a blaze of orange. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Also, the iPhone is probably not the best way to capture a sunset...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-29398358899130162482014-01-12T15:47:00.001-06:002014-01-12T15:47:33.720-06:00Day 11<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HP-3JazGkOI/UtMNc56l8nI/AAAAAAAAUtE/n68DucEhE0s/s640/blogger-image-1590567968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HP-3JazGkOI/UtMNc56l8nI/AAAAAAAAUtE/n68DucEhE0s/s640/blogger-image-1590567968.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 11: something blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The tattoo on my right forearm. It is based off of a piece of art nouveau jewelry designed by Georges Fouquet. It was also part of the design that Aaron & I used on our reception invitations. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-73949920676585175482014-01-12T15:45:00.001-06:002014-01-12T15:45:00.064-06:00Day 10<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hadIEYKJyEQ/UtMM2QGDeOI/AAAAAAAAUs8/c54wOC9a8O4/s640/blogger-image--525176906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hadIEYKJyEQ/UtMM2QGDeOI/AAAAAAAAUs8/c54wOC9a8O4/s640/blogger-image--525176906.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 10: childhood memory</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nana's house, with the SUPER FORMAL LIVING ROOM that no children were allowed in. Ever. And the piano that we couldn't play. Ever. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That lady loved her fancy stuff. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-46623995227978687242014-01-12T15:42:00.001-06:002014-01-12T15:42:41.768-06:00Day 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z5Bk3rvuWwo/UtMMTzPcciI/AAAAAAAAUsw/OLYbHRbq3j8/s640/blogger-image--1402835874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z5Bk3rvuWwo/UtMMTzPcciI/AAAAAAAAUsw/OLYbHRbq3j8/s640/blogger-image--1402835874.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 9: someone you love</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My two little mess-makers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Seriously. How do two people create such a huge mess?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-21944361362594655192014-01-12T15:41:00.001-06:002014-01-12T15:41:10.868-06:00Day 8<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A9U9bntu_jE/UtML9Bk5yCI/AAAAAAAAUso/llyX62mOOZA/s640/blogger-image--1548437598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A9U9bntu_jE/UtML9Bk5yCI/AAAAAAAAUso/llyX62mOOZA/s640/blogger-image--1548437598.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 8: routine</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Every day starts with coffee, and ends with tea. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-11847717843911374672014-01-08T19:09:00.001-06:002014-01-11T10:43:58.576-06:00Day 7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Day 7: changes to come.</div>
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I journaled my way through this one today. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-56911097632691348612014-01-07T18:03:00.001-06:002014-01-07T18:03:29.703-06:00Day six<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YQzmR2iSbq8/UsyVz0IKfZI/AAAAAAAAUsI/LzAZss8s3LM/s640/blogger-image-565906597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YQzmR2iSbq8/UsyVz0IKfZI/AAAAAAAAUsI/LzAZss8s3LM/s640/blogger-image-565906597.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day six: obsession.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For me it is a two-way tie between books & art supplies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You can never have enough of either. I had to make a rule for myself to stop going into art supply stores for a few months because I was unable to say no to new supplies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I dream of a day when I will have a studio above ground and a library adjacent. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-73262936339406070992014-01-06T17:54:00.001-06:002014-01-06T17:54:20.095-06:00Day 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ss-I9zYrmZA/UstCKj-85eI/AAAAAAAAUr4/jbF5azMvYKQ/s640/blogger-image-2139665341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ss-I9zYrmZA/UstCKj-85eI/AAAAAAAAUr4/jbF5azMvYKQ/s640/blogger-image-2139665341.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 5: after dark.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Snow drifts lit by headlights. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The kids think it looks like the Himalayas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-22396914823580880872014-01-05T11:16:00.001-06:002014-01-05T11:16:00.152-06:00Day four<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mhd7VgrxX8I/UsmTTljLGRI/AAAAAAAAUro/H1nh9XsNgtw/s640/blogger-image--1682589004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mhd7VgrxX8I/UsmTTljLGRI/AAAAAAAAUro/H1nh9XsNgtw/s640/blogger-image--1682589004.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day four: something green. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Green boots, guacamole</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kale, an in-progress painting</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the dark days of winter I crave green things. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-48805645145259025862014-01-04T08:41:00.001-06:002014-01-04T08:41:31.191-06:00Day 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VqfPBVS_t8k/Usgdk6rxwxI/AAAAAAAAUrI/35bnnMLgWyA/s640/blogger-image--1723039582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VqfPBVS_t8k/Usgdk6rxwxI/AAAAAAAAUrI/35bnnMLgWyA/s640/blogger-image--1723039582.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">CLOUDS!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cold weather winter clouds, high in the atmosphere. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today's forecast: more snow. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-37615870163793893552014-01-03T18:28:00.001-06:002014-01-03T18:28:51.799-06:00Day two<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VB6b3ucyew0/UsdVuIxd7dI/AAAAAAAAUq4/WPIoxDENtr0/s640/blogger-image-507789079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VB6b3ucyew0/UsdVuIxd7dI/AAAAAAAAUq4/WPIoxDENtr0/s640/blogger-image-507789079.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day two: what you wore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This, plus long underwear because it was negative temps today. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Illinois is not wooing me with this weather. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-51207843831185933302014-01-02T10:20:00.001-06:002014-01-02T10:20:21.478-06:00Thirty days starts now!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8aj8p0yZcPo/UsWRtC9f-VI/AAAAAAAAUqc/gdAHNtY7GI4/s640/blogger-image-1171344514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8aj8p0yZcPo/UsWRtC9f-VI/AAAAAAAAUqc/gdAHNtY7GI4/s640/blogger-image-1171344514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I found this photo challenge on Pinterest and tried to track it back to the original source, but got as far as another blogger saying they had found it on Pinterest. So if anyone knows the original source, let me know and I will give them full credit! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f0GMfp7MIDw/UsWRwgvGp3I/AAAAAAAAUqk/djd_n2J2jUQ/s640/blogger-image-847623654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f0GMfp7MIDw/UsWRwgvGp3I/AAAAAAAAUqk/djd_n2J2jUQ/s640/blogger-image-847623654.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, day 1 is a self portrait. Here is me, in my studio with some of my books. I have a hard time being serious in photos...</div><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8aj8p0yZcPo/UsWRtC9f-VI/AAAAAAAAUqc/gdAHNtY7GI4/s640/blogger-image-1171344514.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(It's time to meet the muppets...it's time to light the lights...)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-71952451594274653832014-01-01T15:35:00.001-06:002014-01-01T15:35:15.826-06:00It's a NEW YEAR<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ij9yGgA_0C4/UsSKEcPEphI/AAAAAAAAUqM/s3ip2jClG9o/s640/blogger-image--282023218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ij9yGgA_0C4/UsSKEcPEphI/AAAAAAAAUqM/s3ip2jClG9o/s640/blogger-image--282023218.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That's pretty awesome. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">About a decade ago I decided that I was done with making resolutions. Instead I pick one new thing to learn or try. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last year I started grad school-- one semester down, three more to go. Woo! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This coming year, I will continue on with my studies and attempt to reconnect with blogging. The one new thing I want to learn is rock climbing. There's an indoor rock climbing place nearby and they have lessons-- I am going to sign up the whole family for a day of climbing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm also going to try a 30 day photo challenge, which I will be sharing here starting tomorrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Until then, be awesome my friends! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-26873582872767315992013-11-25T13:21:00.000-06:002013-11-25T13:21:00.711-06:00People I know: Angela!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is my buddy Angela--known around here as "The Cupcake Queen." </div>
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These guys are yellow cake, chocolate with Kahlua frosting, and raspberry jam. (Photo by Angela)</div>
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She has made the cupcakes for many a get-together, including my son's birthdays for the past 3 years. She's also encouraged his interest in reading and in Harry Potter. She's not just an awesome baker, she's also involved in <a href="http://learn.ssc.edu/theatre/" target="_blank">community theater</a>, is super crafty, and is a budding photographer. I asked her a few fun questions and here's what she had to say.</div>
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<b> What's your favorite way to spend a fall afternoon?</b></div>
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My favorite way to spend a fall afternoon is baking and cooking comfort food. I love making cupcakes or a pie. Also watching a move, drinking a pumpkin spice latte. I love all things pumpkin spice. </div>
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<b> What are your top three craft supplies? </b>
Sewing machine, hot glue gun and glitter! </div>
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I am reading the 5th Game of Thrones book A Dance With Dragons. I am also reading (memorizing my lines) my script for Hansel and Gretel. I am playing Dizzy in the Children's Theatre at South Suburban College. We are currently in rehearsals. The show opens in January. </div>
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<b> Would you rather be able to travel anywhere in space or anywhere in time? </b> I would rather travel anywhere in time. I love the Elizabethan Era and 18th Century Scotland so it would interesting to experience life then. </div>
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<b>What inspires you these days?</b>
Autumn/Fall has really been inspiring me lately. I love this time of year, the colors, the cooler weather, and the holidays. I love Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is my most favorite time of year. </div>
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I have also been really inspired lately by fairy tales, I have been wanting to work on an embroidery project with different fairy tales, like Little Red Riding hood, Cinderella, and Sleeping beauty and create a crazy quilt with the designs. </div>
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There is also a blog that I have been finding really inspirational is<a href="http://bustleandsew.com/" target="_blank"> Bustle and Sew</a>. Its by a woman who lives on a Devon farm and she has embroidery and crochet patterns, and I love her stuff, its so cute and whimsical. I get a lot of cool ideas from her blog. </div>
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<b>Thank you, Miss Angela, reigning monarch of confections and darling of the stage. </b></div>
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You can follow Angela on <a href="http://instagram.com/theatregirl" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/theatregirl25" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and if you are in the area you can come watch her in one of the many performances at the <a href="http://learn.ssc.edu/theatre/" target="_blank">Kindig Performing Arts Center</a> in South Holland, IL. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-18162133326356261182013-11-18T12:59:00.000-06:002013-11-18T12:59:00.451-06:00People I Know: Melora<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Melora is the genius behind the tie-dye at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harvest-Moon-Creations/78153329830" target="_blank">Harvest Moon Creations</a>. She graciously allowed me to come into her studio space and get pictures of the process and ask her a few questions. For my fellow artsy types, you get why this is a big deal--a studio space is even more personal than one's underwear drawer. It's like letting someone crawl inside your brain and poke around. </div>
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Melora has been doing tie-dye for more than 10 years. It started when she was pregnant, and wanted some clearly identifiable onesies for her son while he was in the NICU. In the summer you can find her selling her wares at the Crete European Market in Crete, IL. Year-round, you can find her through her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harvest-Moon-Creations/78153329830" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. </div>
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She makes onesies, toddler shirts and dresses. She does t-shirts, dresses, wrap skirts, thermal hoodies, union suits, ponchos, and scarves. I have custom ordered from her a few times, and she never ceases to amaze me with all of the work she produces. </div>
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After we spent some time in the studio, we went to her dining room where she pulled out some finished pieces. And I may have made a bit of a mess--but I couldn't resist the pile of color and pattern!</div>
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So not only are these things gorgeous and handmade and all that jazz, but Melora uses the most eco-friendly dyes she can find. There's no weird chemical smell when she works--and as an art major I have smelled my share of weird chemical smells--she doesn't use aluminum in her dye process either. Her fabrics are cotton, rayon, and silk. An ethical business woman, and a genuinely wonderful human being. I'm happy to know her and happy to introduce her to you. </div>
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Seriously, guys-- look at the skulls. And the hearts, and the yin-yang, and the tiny watermelon dress! It's too much, I swear.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-43685064176493930662013-09-06T17:04:00.001-05:002013-09-06T17:04:21.517-05:00The people I know...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Kind of like the people in my neighborhood...but now my neighborhood is the world.<br />
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Do you ever think about the people that you know and think: I know so many cool people. It happens to me frequently. Like at least once a week.<br />
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And to reward you for stopping in and saying hi, I thought that I would like to introduce you to some of the people that I know. Like the world's biggest dinner party, where only awesome people are invited---that includes YOU, so don't sell yourself short.<br />
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It's going to be a semi-regular post type deal. There will be photos. There will be questions and answers...when I feel like it. There will be linking to websites when websites are available. There may be guest-blogging. But mostly, there will be the people that make my life a little more awesome by simply existing.<br />
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Because PEOPLE ARE AWESOME and the world needs more awesome.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11588024.post-57625619497563459112013-09-02T09:30:00.001-05:002013-09-02T09:30:36.177-05:00This week...You should remember: Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. --Bill Nye<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PNJ0E3JYS2I/UiShCaZn5QI/AAAAAAAASvw/EOqnu0DSt1s/s640/blogger-image--1914359793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PNJ0E3JYS2I/UiShCaZn5QI/AAAAAAAASvw/EOqnu0DSt1s/s640/blogger-image--1914359793.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05117972852391680761noreply@blogger.com0