Gluten Free…dammit, I ate a cracker.

Alright, soooooo…I accidentally ate a cracker a few days ago. I say ‘accidentally’ because I was so focused on not eating a sandwich that I shoved this in my face

So so buttery
So so buttery

After promptly swallowing the gloriously golden beauty I realized it was made of butter…..and Gluten. DAMMIT!

Sooooooooo ooo oo o o o o o ….. I popped one more in my mouth. What? I had already eaten one! What was one more?! ..and then I stopped. I swear.

To my knowledge, I have been gluten free since.

Damn you Ritz!

Frenchie B-Day Card

For a puppy-loving coworker, a french bulldog card was the only way to go.

Sketch it!
Sketch it!
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Cut it into sections
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Add bottom bits that will be covered with layers and layers of paper for depth (creepy puppy face!!)
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Add details- eyebrows, skin folds to shape the eyes. P.S. that is my most favorite pencil, had it since 2nd grade!!
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Completed and ready for allergy-free loving

I always add my details in colored pencil/watercolor pencils after the card is assembled. I opted to use brown with orange and yellow highlights to give the eyes life.

Look at those eyes...
Look at those eyes…

I must admit that I have never been very good at figuring where to add the shine on eyeballs…so usually I just guess and hope for the best.  * I know my pictures suck. Perhaps I should buy a fancy camera…or maybe I’ll save that cash for these instead. Ya, those…

Paper Artistry: Dragon Card

I own a lot of paper and I’m generally incapable of giving people store-bought cards because of it. So, I’ll try to post entertaining card construction projects from time to time.

How exactly do you top a birthday card of your cat with fluffy underbelly exposed for maximum petting? The short story; you don’t. Instead you try to create something that is soooooo badass they are in completely different categories, defying comparison.

DRAGON = Strong, firey-fury breathing mythical creature!

*Metal riff and pyrotechnics E X PLOSI O N ! = Bad Ass

Dragon Sketch

Napkin, Felis catus  fat-assicus = Cute, fat-furry belly having house cat!

*fart noise and Meow-Mix rain! = Fat Ass

Meow-Mix
Look at that fluffy belly!

Though both are types of ‘ass’ they are not on a similar scale for comparision. Like Apples and tribbles. Please excuse my crappy cell phone pictures. Next time I’ll shoot some pretty one…but there are no promises…I am an arteest*!!

Okay, not so impressive here...
toothless!…not a pretty stage in construction
he's watching me cut out his teeth
dynamic eyes are crucial
He looks angry that he still doesn't have any teeth
adding some scales for texture..I feel like he’s judging me
pleated and crinkled paper for dragon frill
Just look at those chompers!
Just look at those chompers!

But every story has to a handsome, brave….orange…hero

nap 1
Sir Napkin the Dragon Slayer

Yes yes, he is quite handsome until he eats my houseplant and barfs it up on my kitchen rug. LOVE YOU NAPKIN!

You can see a short video of the completed card here! More to come…

*Artist; I am an artist like ketchup is a vegetable. <-it’s not. Trust me, I’m a biologist.

The Bikini Collector

Why do I keep Buying Bikinis?! I live in Seattle!? Seattle!?! There are like, 10 days a year that I could potentially wear a bikini…and with my luck I will be working all 10 of them…but I still own enough of them to weave a small spandex quilt. I mean, if you think about it. That’s a lot. Triangle tops are so little fabric!

ANYWHOODLE, some history…

Louis Reard inventor of the Bikini
Louis Reard inventor of the Bikini

Louis Reard invented the bikini back in 1946; 76 years ago. Naming it after the Bikini Atoll*, designated site for over 20 nuclear weapons tests by the US government. His thinking being that it would echo a similar shock and surprise in the fashion community. Bare navel = atomic bomb?..I think not, but it was quite a blow to modesty and channeled countless dollars into the waxing industry**.

Whether you’re boldly showing that thong or flouncing about in a flirty skirt, the debate on modesty will eternally rage on and I will do the bikini CWS…

Cali Dreaming Bikini
Cali Dreaming Bikini

Cali Dreaming black bikini. I’m kind of in love with these bikinis but they seem to be difficult to get your hands on…or try on..and you HAVE TO  TRY IT ON BEFORE YOU BUY IT or face the ill fitting consequences.

Mara Hoffman Casino Bikini- Front
Mara Hoffman- Electric Casino Halter Bikini- Front
Mara Hoffman Casino Bikini- Da Back
Mara Hoffman- Electric Casino Halter Bikini- Da Back

I might be a little obsessive compulsive (should I have italicized that, people like italics right? Italics are totally the new bold.) which is good for Mara Hoffman, bad for my bank account. The color and slimming/emphasizing “design magic” of the pattern keeps the eye moving in a figure complimenting direction. I want this bikini, no…I NEED this bikini. <-Italic and bold, nailed it!

Forever 21
Forever21-Polka Dot Bandeau Bikini

No, I am not in cahoots with Forever 21 for my ‘steal’ gear. I truly scoured the web at work for days and days…please don’t tell my boss..looking for a great deal on a bikini that I would actually wear. Here we have the winner of my hours of effort, enjoy.

Classic- Cali Dreaminig- $182

WildCard- Mara Hoffman- Electric Casino Halter Bikini – Top $101, Bottom $97

Steal-Forever21-Polka Dot Bandeau Bikini Top- $10.80, Bottom – $9.80

*So, this all started with Bikini-fashion stuff but kind of bled into me nerdily reading way too much about nuclear testing by the US and the Soviets. The FBI and CIA are most certainly tracking my internet habits now, hope they like Pinterest.

Tsar Bomba
Tsar Bomba

The most interesting being a wikipedia article about the single most physically powerful device ever used by man, the Tsar Nuclear Bomb, 50 megatons (mt). If you are feeling like being absolutely horrified by humanity/ in awe of the raw power of atoms… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsar_bomb

**$$Cha-OUCH! You dirty mother f*cker!..I’m sorry..sorry, that really really hurt…I’m crying a little-Ching$$