Instagram Rant: Also Making Good on a Resolution

I just realized it is still 2012 and there is a slight chance I can make good on my New Year's resolution to blog more.  I think I will post about the infuriating wonder that is Instagram.

Anyone with an iPhone or Android phone has probably fallen prey to the Instagram App.  It seems like such a great way to manipulate photos and make them look different and stand out.  For instance, doesn't Chaucer, my red tabby look absolutely precious in the photo above?  Of course he does.  Nothing like a somewhat sepia tone and a close up that is nearly terrifying to bring out the true beauty of a spoiled house cat.

A rare moment where she is still enough for a photo.

To the left is a picture of Mini, the orange tabby who is normally full of energy and literally bouncing off the walls.  This is a rare moment where she held still long enough for me to capture a non blurry image.  The black border and pale lighting make this photo stand out. It also makes the photo look like it was taken with the latest technology of the 1970s.

But my cats don't care. They will never look at a scrapbook and wonder why I took such crappy photos in the year 2012.  Which brings me to my next point.

First day of school memories.

This is the Instagram photo I took of my foster son's first day of school.  Notice the grainy image, the altered color and the fact that you can't really tell what color shirt he is wearing.  Not to mention I cropped the hell out of it, so you can't even tell if he is wearing shorts or jeans.  And the image has been blurred just enough so his faux hawk looks distorted.  Unlike the cats, one day he will look at a scrapbook and wonder why the hell I took such bad photos with all the digital technology available.  Plus, he knows for a fact I have at least 2 pretty decent digital cameras, including one that is a 3D camera.

So I can only imagine that years from now as he leaves to go to college, that he will flip through some photo albums, see these pictures and wonder why I chose to stand there and take a photo with my cell phone and then edit it to somehow make it even worse.

And I am not sure I will really have an answer.

Getting sick and how it inhibits creativity...

There is nothing fun at all about being sick.  I am runny, dripping, congested, hacking, feverish, but most importantly- 
I am not being creative.  

This is the most frustrating part of being sick.  To be honest, when the doctor said to drink plenty of fluids and rest for a few days, I was secretly ecstatic, imagining all I could accomplish on my down time.  What a huge disappointment.  I spent two days in bed, ignoring everything: appointments, meetings, phone calls and people.  

Then I woke up this morning at 3 a.m. under the false impression that I felt better.  After waking up everyone in the house to let them know I was on my way to a full recovery, I proceeded to eat and enjoy food for the first time in what felt like a week.  

Around 4 a.m. I discovered I was thirsty.  After all, I had originally intended to follow the doctor's orders and drink plenty of fluids, but it's really hard to do that when you are basically in a coma.  So I drank a bottle of Sprite and a cup of water.

At 5 a.m. the news came on and I started watching it, pretending like my head was not starting to ache again.  I also ignored the sneezing fit that had taken hold shortly after finishing off the last of the water.  These are not signs of recovery.

Around 6 or 7 a.m. I watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  The original movie.  If anything could cure me, surely a great dose of nostalgia could do it.  

At 9 a.m. I gave back up and went to bed, coughing, sneezing, running and aching, just like they show in the commercial.  Only, I had antibiotics and Robitussin. 

So, now it is 4 p.m. and I am awake again.  But I don't feel better just yet.  And I am not really as coherent as I would like.  In fact, blogging under the influence of being sick is probably a recipe for disaster.  

Despite everything that comes along with being sick, I am most upset that I am not able to use any of this down time to create anything.

With that being said, I think it is time to crawl back into the recliner and enjoy the House marathon they are showing on CLOO.  A blanket and cup of hot tea is also in order.  

In case anyone is curious about the photo above, it is one I took using a simple point and shoot camera ages ago.  
 

New Year's Resolutions

Bring on the fireworks!  It is time to celebrate all those failed New Year's resolutions!   

For instance,  blogging on a regular basis for 2012 is off to a slow start for me.  But have no fear, I completely plan to make it up to my 0 readers by blogging at least twice a week as if anyone was actually reading.  

 Aside from blogging on a regular basis, I made a few other resolutions.

The first was to buy more fresh fruits and vegetables.  This has been no problem.  Now if I could just make myself eat them more often.

Next, I decided that I would be nicer.  I made a valiant effort, but we can go ahead and cross that one off the list.
Be nicer to everyone.

I made a resolution to spend more time working on my etsy store.  Surprise!  This one is actually going well.  I am taking an interest in my store and I can definitely see the rewards.  More views, more favorites and most importantly- more sales!

So, one resolution isn't happening at all.
Another one is off to a slow start.
One is sort of happening, but not really living up to my expectations.
And one of them is actually paying off!


It might not be the best record, but I'm willing to bet I'm ahead of most people who decided to quit smoking or lose weight.  What can I say?  I'm an optimist.

Oh, here are some pictures of flamingos that I took at the local zoo.  Enjoy!  

Craft Book Review: Wool Pets: Making 20 Figures with Wool Roving and a Barbed Needle by Laurie Sharp

If you are new to the world of needle felting and want to get started making cute and cuddly creations this is the book for you.  I purchased this along with Laurie Sharp's other book, Wool Toys and Friends: Step by Step Instructions for Needle-Felting Fun.  I have enjoyed them both a great deal, but haven't created a single thing.  

Luckily, my lack of creation has nothing to do with the actual book itself.  The book is large, containing detailed instructions and more than enough pictures to keep you inspired.  While many needle felting guides simply offer an estimate on how much wool to use, Laurie Sharp leaves nothing left to estimating, noting how much wool is needed of each color and for each part, whether it be wing, leg or body.  

This book offers a very diverse set of creations, ranging from ladybugs to hummingbirds as well as an adorable mermaid.  Once you pick up the hang of needle felting, you will be able to customize these projects to  your liking.  Even if you have never tried needle felting before, go ahead and invest in this book.  The first chapter offers up a very detailed guide for any beginner.  It covers tools, wools and technique. 
I wish I had ordered the books earlier.  I ordered them shortly before my move to the big city of Birmingham, Alabama so it is just sitting on the book shelf, tempting me as I try to get unpacked and situated. 

If you aren't ready to take on a whole book of ideas, Laurie does have an etsy shop and you can find kits to make wool pets here: woolpets.etsy.com

If you create anything inspired by the book or from her etsy shop, I would love to see it!