Wow... an update

I dont even really know what to write about anymore in this thing. Let's see... the house sold and I am back in Ohio. Things have just been insane, and I dont feel like rehashing it all again. All that matters in my husband and I are back together in the same freaking place. I got a new camera, so why dont I show off some of my shots?

I am saving my pennies for a good macro lens for it. It has a decent enough macro function, but I want more. I havent been selling anything on line for a long while now, but I have been trying to destash when I have time over at tophatter, but I find I am buying more than I am selling (which is okay, I guess).
I recently found what appears to be a really fun knitting group and hubby and I have joined a local gaming group... so let's hope we can get some friends soon! Heck, I might even be marching with a person I met through Etsy and is local here.

I love Halloween!

I had to share all the lovely Halloween stuff I have been accumulating all month. First off, if you haven't gone to your local Target store and checked out their Halloween stuff, you should. They have the best displays and candies I have ever seen...though this year I have yet to see any gummy dissection kits :(
Target is also the only place I have found that carries the rare and wonderful Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses. I found them last year and by the time I found they were the equivalent of candy crack... our local Target had sold out. You should go out and buy as many bags as you can afford now. You will not be sorry. I promise.
Last year I picked up a great skull cookie jar to go with my eyeball salt and pepper shakers and brain bowl. I am determined to have a 'mad scientist' themed kitchen... but I digress. This year I picked up some great metal skeletal hands serving forks. They are just great fun to play with! (I the shirt in the picture was also bought at Target... along with a dozen or so other Halloween themed T-shirts).


There was also this awesome black/silver fiberglass skull pot thing. We couldnt quite figure out exactly what it was supposed to be... you couldn't put candy in it without fear of little kids falling in (plus it would take a metric ton of candy to fill it) and it didnt have any drainage for potted plants. We drilled said holes, and now it is a planter waiting for spring to be filled with photosynthesizing organisms.


Not pictured, I also picked up a pair of knit gloves with skeletal fingers printed on them for a buck. Working in a medical building... I get a lot of complements! A glowing skull to hang from our balcony, bloody hand prints for the sliding glass door and a skeleton cling for my back seat of my car also been making their appearances for the first time this year. I have also gotten a plethroa of Halloween themed socks just for fun too.

I have also been working on a Halloween wreath, complete with hand painted skull, black and purple flowers, sparkles and black feather boas. It looks pretty darn kick-arse if you ask me!

WIP: Felt and beaded double sided headband done!

I had this idea a while back for a felt headband with leather straps for ties. I kicked it around in my head for about a month then decided to try it. In that month, the headband grew a skull and sported some bead embroider. Oh, and it also became double sided. This first one I finished is just a prototype for me to keep.



It took a lot of energy to make it, so I am unsure if I will make more for my shop. I might (and I will probably break out my sewing machine next time instead of doing all of the stitching by hand). I am not completely happy with the quality of some of the felt (hint, dont use craft felt unless it is the thick kind).



I like the way it came out. I haven't gotten dreads yet to test it out, but that is why I gave it braided leather straps: so I could wear it with either 'normal' hair or dreads. I also love that it has two sides. It is more versatile that way. I am definitely going to make templates out of card stock next time!

Big Butter Jesus!

I know this is post is a long time in the making, but I have been super duper blooper busy lately. Last month my hubs and I took a trip back to our native state to visit a super little niece for her birthday party. On the way, we had to stop by a local crazy landmark... Big Butter Jesus!


Well, he is not really made out of butter, but he sure looks like it! It was thundering and lightening quite close to us, and my camera was on it's last bit of battery juice, but I managed to take a few shots. If you want to see a few more shots, just follow that picture to my Flickr page to see them. If you are not familiar with Big Butter Jesus, he was made famous by the great Heywood Banks song you can see here!




Oh, and my niece had a great party with an awesome pink princess cake made by a neighbor!

Kitty Toes

I know it has been a while since I blogged, but I have been super busy. Moving, starting a new job, being separated from my husband and (trying and failing) to write my dissertation has kept me pretty much strapped. I did snap this photo of my kitty Mesha's toes. I just wanted to share them and say "I am still alive!"



Oh, and if anyone knows of anyone who can help me dread my hair in the Cincinnati area please let me know!

Gift? I Guess Not!

A month or so ago I finally figured out what to make out of some scrap yarn I had laying about. I figured I would use it to make a two sided pillow to give as a gift. Fast forward a bit... all done! Custom cut foam pad etc... everything. Now I just have to keep it away from cat hair and cat butts until I can gift it. I should have known better. Just look at her smug face... filling the fibers with feline follicles that will not budge!


Not only has Mesha decided it makes a great cat pillow, but I have also seen Dot on it as well. I guess it is mine now... even though I hate pink. It does have a gray side... guess I will have to keep that side up!

My New Baby!

My wonderful hubby has been squirreling away little bits of money of a long time for some mysterious reason. This week I found out why. He was saving money for my graduation gift... a brand new guitar!


To be exact, an Epiphone Prophesy SG EX! I cant tell you how beautiful this guitar sounds and looks! The kicker is.... I cant play it until I graduate, and because of some scheduling issues that wont be until August at least! She will stay protected in her hard case, and her Vox Mini5 am anxiously waiting to be used. I dont mind, I can stare into her black smokey burl wood and beautiful inlays and just dream of the tunes I will learn. Take that mom!

Product Review: Glilttersniffer Eyeshadows

I didnt think I would have time to blog this month, but lo and behold... I have a few spare moments! Since I am going to be starting a new (and more grown up) job soon, I decided I needed to replace my ancient cosmetics I have had for years and years and years. I wanted to invest in some nice stuff, but also some more natural stuff. I had been skulking around glittersniffer's shop for a while, just waiting for an excuse to go hog wild. Well, one day she was having a huge sale, so I jumped on it! Glittersniffer is not only really well known on etsy, but she is also a member of DIYscene which I am a member of as well.

I went crazy and bought 15 new eyeshadows to experiment with. My list included the following:
Boss
Shwag
Money
Redrum
Nova
Liar
Fusion
Universe
Kristin
Raw cocoa
Playboy
Silk sheets
Roxie
24k
Blow
Kush
I tried to get a variety of colors so I could mix and match stuff to go with all my work outfits, and still have some fun if I ever decided to get dressed up or go out. Each pot (except for Boss) contains 5 grams of loose powder. This stuff is extremely potent and a little bit goes a LONG way. I have only had them for 2 days, but I just love them so far! They stay on great, and the depth of the color is wonderful. All I need to do now is invest in some good makeup brushes and eyeshadow base. Since I am not used to wearing makeup, I tend to forget and accidentally rub my eye... the base should help with that. I wish I could have bought every color! There are even some shades named after other etsy sellers!

Here is the very simple look I put together this morning. Nothing special, just some Boss blended with some Universe!



Overall Impression: I love this eyeshadow and I would recommend Glittersniffer to anyone. Her shadow is 100% pure minerals, plus she has some eyecreams that I need to get my hands on! They might seem a little pricy (at least to me... wet'n'wild used to be my thing) with 5 bucks for 5 grams, but it is worth every penny!!!

Excuses Excuses

I just wanted to tell everyone out there in cyber land why I haven’t been posting all that much lately. The reason for that is like 17^6 fold.

First off I am trying to finish my master’s degree in zoology. It has been quite the bumpy ride, and I don’t expect anything less for the finish. I am spending long hours in the lab trying to finish up my research while trying desperately to write my thesis up at the same time. Let me just say, my experience with my master’s degree has not inspired me to (at least any time soon) pursue any other higher degrees. While it would be nice to be called Doctor, I don’t need that to feel fulfilled in life. I am, in fact, writing this blog entry as I am sectioning with a microtome in the basement of a drab looking university building on the weekend. I would love to be home with my husband right now in my pj’s watching a movie and eating junk, but I can’t. I have to be sequestered away from the world in a windowless hole so I can finish, maybe on time.

Secondly, I have been trying to find a job, so that once I get said degree, I can be gainfully employed. About once every two weeks for the past two months (really long than that) I have sat down and devoted hours to searching up good jobs in my field. I will let you know, that gets old really quick. There aren’t many widely publicized positions for microscopists. I have, how ever, found a few places interested in me. That leads me to my third reason…

Thirdly, I have found a job! I am currently waiting for them to send me my official offer letter (UPS tracking is useless). I have had two offers, but I waiting for the second one to come in to make my actual final decision. This job will be awesome, and a welcome change in both venue and revenue! Since the job is in another state, my husband and I have been spending long hours contemplating where to live, how to get there, and in what order to do things. I even worry about how to safely and sanely transport my kitties for the long move. Well, longer than I have ever moved with pets before. This also takes a large chunk of time, neither of which either of us have much of. I, of course, have to focus on school while my husbands is starting this week to work extra long hours as his work. A coworker of his is going in for surgery and he has to train his replacement and take over her job. Fun. Oh, and guess what. This coworkers is scheduled to come back to work the same day I am scheduled to start my new job!

I have been contemplating putting my etsy shop on vacation mode so I don’t have to worry about that. I was thinking of having a “Moving Sale” but I don’t have time to devote to the higher possible work load that might generate. Oh, I also had my first canceled sale today. That was great pick me up.

So, there you have it. I have been extremely busy and it wont stop any time soon. I wish I could keep up with everything, but it takes too much time and, even worse, it distracts me from what I really need to be doing right now.

Fuzzy Philosophy: Life is like a Rubik's Cube

I dont normally talk about what makes me tick on my blog, or how I see the world really. I dont know if that is a bad thing or not. Today, I want to break my inner silence and share with the world one philosophy I hold that, I think, can be applied to anyone from any time, place, creed, etc. This universal principle is something I like to call:

Life is like a Rubik's Cube

Now, I did not come up with this world renown puzzle box, but I see it as the conceptual basis of my argument. If you are not a conceptual person, you may want to stop reading this here... because it is going to get more complex as we go on. In my view, we are all born with a Rubik's cube. It represents our state of being, which has the following properties.

1. The more complete our cube is, the more happy our life is. People like having all the colors matching, even if the other sides are a mess. A completely solved cube is akin to the "perfect" life and whatever that means to that person. My "perfect" life is not the same as yours etc., but would make me happy and content for the rest of my days.
   
2. The less complete our cube is, the more chaotic and unhappy our life is. Most people do not like randomness and sorrow. A completely random, unmatched cube is akin to complete insanity and being completely miserable.
3. We can occasionally turn our cube through our actions and choices we make, both moving it towards completion or towards chaos. We cant always see all of the aspects (or sides) our choices affect. Like the real life game, strategies, short cuts and hits can be learned and use as a person grows and experiences life. For example, where you choose to go to university, your career, who you become friends with etc are things you control and affect your quality of life well into the future, both positively or negatively.
   
4. Others can turn our cube through their actions and choices (both directly and indirectly), wither they realize it or not. For example, having a medical misdiagnosis, being fired by an over zealous boss, a neighbor giving you some brownies they made etc. Not all are bad, not all are good. Some dont seem to affect anything.
   
5. Sometimes fate turns our cube. These are things that are not a result of anyone's actions or choices, they just sometimes happen. Natural disasters are an excellent example.
   
6. Any or all of these forces can act at any time, and in any combination. You loosing your job because some big wig at a company mismanaged money can be broken down into several categories. Rarely can you categorize something in just one category.
   
7. Death is equal to breaking the cube, wither it is natural or caused by another. I am not making any comments about what happens after you die. This only applies to life as far as I have thought it out.
   
8. Even with a solved cube, if you continue to live on, things can still turn your cube just as before. For example: You retire in your prefect place with your significant other. All is blissful and great, then your significant other develops cancer.
   
9. No matter how many times your cube is turned, the possibility for true happiness (or having a completed cube) still exists, even if it is difficult to unravel the path to get there.
   

So, I see my life as a Rubik's cube. All things that happen can have the potential to affect each side, or the path to my happiness. Some people live with only one aspect of their life making them happy, like having a wonderful job, but a totally chaotic (or completely unsolved) personal relationship side. Others are totally content with where they are in life, only to have their lives devastated by disease or accident. What I find is wonderful about applying this way of thinking to you life is, no matter how twisted up your life gets, no matter how chaotic and unhappy, if you work hard enough you can still achieve happiness in the future. Also, attaining happiness is an ongoing task with the ever changing mosaic that a Rubik's cube creates.

Let me know what you think. I have tried to assess all aspects of my theory, but I am sure there are things I have missed. Maybe you can apply this to your life, either future or past, and work towards your happiness.

Dot's New Bed

Months and months ago I went looking for some wool sweaters at the local thrift stores for some needle felting projects. I found a few, but before I could try my hand at all of them, one of my kitties (Dot) decided that one of them were here. For weeks she lovingly covered this gray XL sweater with her hair. I figured, since she was so attached to it, she could keep it as a bed. A few days ago, I found it (it had been buried by some boxes... long story) and the thought occurred to me to turn it into a proper cat bed. Dot doesnt use the one we bought her (we actually use it to keep her from sleeping on our towels...), but maybe she would sleep on this one since she already "claimed" it.


First I cut off the sleeves, which I actually have plans for, and hand sewed them shut along with sewing the bottom shut. I hand sewed because not only is our craft room full of boxes, I would have to clear away all of my beading and painting stuff to get out my sewing machine. It was just easier to hand sew it. I debated on putting some decorative stitching on top, but Dot has a funky toe which cant retract it's claw and I dont want that getting stuck in the stitching on accident. I loosely stuffed the body with just one bag of eco-friendly stuffing to give it some fluff, but not a lot of bulk. Dot doesnt like bulk to sleep on. Once I broke it up a bit, after it was inside the body to keep it from getting fibers everywhere, I sewed the neck closed, but below the collar. I did this so it still looks like a sweater that I folded lovingly, but before I could put it away, Dot got to it!

And so far, she seems to like it!

Wait...there are new clothes in the house?

Wait...there are new clothes in the house?
Originally uploaded by fuzzy_izmit

I am absolutely certain that cats have a six sense (or maybe a couple more) that tells them the exact worst spot for them to nap. For example... everything you own is full of cat hair, so the most logical place to nap would be on top of the bag full of new, prestine clothes! How about on top of a stack of deconstructed boxes several feet high stacked on a couch? Wonderful! On the keyboard... Great! I love my kitties anyway, what can you do with that cute mug looking at you?

Voted!

Well, we got up at the butt crack of dawn to get to the polling station at 6:45. We got out at just before 8. It feels great to be apart of history. Lets just hope history treats us well. Now, if only I could listen to the radio down in the basement of my building... then I could follow everything while I teach tonight. Oh well!

Investigating a Crime Scene!

Investigating a Crime Scene!
Originally uploaded by fuzzy_izmit

Happy Halloween everyone! I know I dont have black hair... but my costume this year was Abby from NSIC. She is sorta my hero. She gives me hope that I can some day be respected and employed in a lab while having the ascetic I long for. One of the best complements I had today was several people thought, before I told them about my Halloween costume, that I was just dressing up a bit to do something special! I normally wear a lab coat at work, so the only thing I did different was put my hair up in pig tails (my hair isnt long enough for braids... barely long enough for the pig tails!), changed my necklace and put on some make up! I didnt have to actually go and buy anything for my costume. How cool is that!

Parenting... Ur Doing it Wrong

I dont normally delve into deep or serious stuff on my blog, but this needs to be said. I recently saw this article in the etsy forums. What a disgrace. If you thought you had a bad mom, just take a look here. If you had a mom like this, I hope you learned from her mistakes and have become a better person from that... either that or you are reading this from rehab. Or you are dead... so you wouldnt be reading this I suppose. I just feel so much pitty for that poor girl. Her eyes say it all. I just wish people would realize you need to be a parent to you child, not their friend. I love my mom, she is not perfect, but she was a good parent to me. I learned a lot from her. Thanks mom for not being my friend until I was old enough to realize all the things you did "to" me were actually "for" me. BTW, the lovely poster above was made by WinchesterLambourne. Please visit her shop!

I promise my next post will be on a lighter note!

The "Crime Scene"

The "Crime Scene"
Originally uploaded by fuzzy_izmit

I am so happy that one of the labs that I work in has some people that really really love Halloween. I am a total Halloween freak. It is my favorite holiday, even more than Christmas. The director of the lab was out one day... and the microscopist did play. We went crazy decorating the lab! I got roped into creating a "chalk" (tape) outline of the director, complete with glasses. All week people have been either impressed or scared when they walk into the lab. Today (not pictured) bloody footprints got added that track into another office with another murder weapon.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

New Kitty Video!

I cant help it... I am sorta double posting. That is because I FINALLY captured Mesha (my kitty) playing with her tail! I posted it on youtube and await the reaction. It is super cute!

I got the music from Sound Jay, and it is totally free! Check them out. Let me know what you think!

Yorik, our new cookie jar!

Yorik, our new cookie jar!
Originally uploaded by fuzzy_izmit

What can I say... I love Target. That store takes Halloween as seriously as I do. I have been looking for a new cookie jar for AGES (since I make cookies fairly often) and I just haven't found one that fit me. Well, the other day my husband and I decided to check out the delight that is Target's Halloween candy and decor. After gallivanting through piles of gooey gummy bats and beakers of margarita mix, I laid my eyes upon this gem! He was sitting with two others, just waiting for me to whisk him away to my kitchen. I knew right when I saw him, he had to be mine. I was thinking of waiting until the Halloween stuff went on sale, but I knew if I waited he would be gone for sure. I think he goes wonderfully with my eyeball salt and pepper shakers we got last year, don't you? While I don't remember exactly where we got them, they eyeballs did not come from target. I figure, when I am rich (yeah right) I will be able to have a whole "mad scientist" themed kitchen, complete with beakers for drinking vessels etc. A girl can dream, can't she?

The Holy Church of Bacon

I have to spread the word! As you know, and if you dont believe me... click here, I have what some people would consider a crazy obsession with bacon. Well, my husband found a wonderful website last night totally devoted to the Holy Church of Bacon, complete with Baconic Laws, History, and lots of tastly links. It is definitly a great place for all things bacon! Now go and find Baconlightenment my children!

Update... bacon cookie recipe!

New Project

I have been kicking around the idea of starting a web comic type thing using little plastic people for actors etc. I hope to start getting all the stuff set up soon. The name of the "strip" (which will probably be a mix of stills and video) is Fuzzy Memory Inc. Right now, all the profits from my shop are going towards buying the needed equipment to get started. I dont know if it will be funny or anything, but feel free to check in. I am sure I will make a big announcement once I start making some stuff... and it will probably be updated sporadically since I dont plan on getting rid of my job any time soon. I plan on doing shorts and parodying movies etc. If you want to stop over, I am still setting up the website (blog... I am not good at real websites) and you can give me pointers if you want. And, it is going to be on a black background, like this blog, so deal. I like black. A lot. Color of my heart and all that.


See that, I was trying to be funny... dont quit your day job right?