Prompt 24

Journal Prompt 24: What is your most favorite place in the world? Is it a country, a town, a room, a secret place that no one else knows about? I know you have one, I want to see it!!

So my favorite place as alot of people know is New Orleans, LA.
My love for NOLA all started when I was 15 and read Interview with a Vampire for the first time. I've read and own quite a few of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles which all contributed to my obsession with New Orleans. I also became a HUGE fan of Poppy Z. Brite who also lives in and writes novels and short stories all based in New Orleans, some are vampires but not all. I was so in love with and apparently made it very aware to everyone of my love for New Orleans that it's mentioned by people who signed my senior year book and it's also part of my "Senior Farewell". My Propehcy says "I will become a rock star and live in New Orleans with my rats and my snakes and my husband with no kids" (minus the no kids part, this would still be pretty sweet) and my Post High School Plans says "I'm going to RVCC and then I'm going to move to New Orleans and become a singer in a band or a writer, but either way I'll be famous and rule!"
Haha! It's funny to look back on that stuff.
I've only visited once but it was amazing none the less. Jeremy and I went on a road trip at the end of February 2009 and were there for 2 wonderful days, the first of which was Mardi Gras!! Also, after Katrina I donated a TON of money...so much that it gives me stomach ache to think about ever having that much money to spare!

Here's my page and I've also included a few choice photos of our trip to NOLA. And believe me, I have plans to visit many more times! (not during Mardi Gras everytime)



The day before we were in Memphis and were literally 2 minutes late to Graceland to buy the tickets to get in. I was EXTREMELY upset but seeing this guy helped make up for it!





Yes, that is a 64 oz Miller Lite I'm sippin out of a straw...delish!


Handgrenades and Stogies. He got his handgrenade from the famous Old Absinthe House but no one ever tells you what's in them!


The second day we were there, along with getting tattoos we went to the Aquarium. We watched an awesome Imax movie with Tab Benoit (awesome blues musician) all about Katrina that was very gut wrenching. Not too much to prevent silly pictures though!

Jellyfish # 2

So after making my first Jellyfish last week from EssHaych's sweet pattern, I needed another one! This one I did in a bright yellow and the berry color to match the color scheme in my bathroom.
I don't know a whole lot about yarn and every other time I've made something, I made sure to use the correct type and weight of yarn. This time, however I really just wanted a specific color and the one I found that was what I wanted happened to be Sport weight, instead of Worsted. Just looking at it, I didn't think it was much different from worsted. WELL obviously there is a difference because this guys head turned out much bigger than the first one. Not that it matters in this amigurumi pattern but I'm glad that I learned that. Now in case I'm making anything where it would matter, I'll be sure to get the right type and weight of yarn the pattern calls for!!
His head is also a little wonky but I still love him none the less.



Here are the two little guys hanging out in the corner of my bathroom. Aren't they cute together?!

Prompt 23

Journal Prompt 23: Today I want you to fill an entire page in your journal with one of the elements of art.
Here they are:
1. Line
2. Color
3. Shape
4. Space
5. Texture
6. Form

I chose Line.

Prompt 22

Journal Prompt 22: Today I want to know what your favorite holiday is!! There are soooo many holidays out there and the cool thing is that they differ depending on where you live, your family, and your religion.

Obviously my favorite Holiday is Halloween. I find it hilarious that after ALL the Halloween talk I have been having over the last week or so this was today's prompt!!

Prompt 21

Journal Prompt 21: What is your most favorite quote? A quote that inspires you, or your mantra. Today is the day to share your inspiring words with your friends :)

I love this quote "el sueno de la razon produces monstruous". It's actually a title to one of Goya's sketches, it is plate 43 of the 80 etchings comprising the Los Caprichos series. It translates to "the sleep of reason produces monsters"
"It consists of a self-portrait of the artist with his head on a table, as owls and bats surround him, assailing him as he buries his head into his arms. Seemingly poised to attack the artist are owls (symbols of folly) and bats (symbols of ignorance).

The viewer might read this as a portrayal of what emerges when reason is suppressed and, therefore, as an espousal of Enlightenment ideals. However, it also can be interpreted as Goya's commitment to the creative process and the Romantic spirit—the unleashing of imagination, emotions, and even nightmares. Arguably the most famous plate of the series, it has gone on to become an iconic image, with its title often being quoted from Goya."

I interpret it as meaning that when you do not use your brain, bad shit will happen. Also, when you are not occupied, bad shit will happen. I'm a romantic and in the past I always followed what I thought was my heart even when my head was telling me not to and it never turned out well. Also, if I do not having something to occupy myself with or any kind of creative outlet, I tend to focus on the negative in life and end up in a downward spiral. I used to write when I was younger, I have 16 journals from the age of 16 to about 21 that are filled with just random crap from my day to day life. I no longer write but I have my arts and crafts to get me through the tough times. When I first saw this sketch and learned what the title translated to, I was instantly drawn to it. I had a print hanging in my bathroom in the West End Apt for the 3 1/2 years I was there. I have plans to get a tattoo symbolizing this, but that won't happen til I'm no longer a broke bastard.
This quote is very dear to me and I absolutely try to live by it. This is also where my love of owls and bats really started.



Here is the actual sketch.

Prompt 20

Journal Prompt 20: Here is the age old question, what is in your bag?? Today, you are going to write about the contents of YOUR bag, or illustrate it, or take a picture of it, whatever :D

I looove a big bag. Now you can see why! I have so much crap I carry with me at all times. I mean really?! I have two smaller bags within the one big one! I guess I just like to be prepared at all times? It's funny this was the prompt because just a few days ago I was thinking that I need a new bag because I've had this one for quite a while. Anyway, this is all the junk in there...

Wanna Make Wednesday

So this week I have had Fall on the brain alot. It started at the Haskell on Sunday and everyone discussing Halloween costumes. I have a few ideas roamin around in my head but nothing is definite yet. Then the coffee at work on Monday was Cinnamon Sticky Bun and it smelled just like Autumn. Today I discovered that I have 9 days left that I can take off this year, not including holidays. I had the brilliant idea that Jeremy and I should take a long weekend in October and go to Salem, MA for some serious Fall Activities!
I asked if he would be interested in going and he said he would but I would have to pick either going to Salem or getting my birthday gift.
Back Story: My birthday is September 28 and Jeremy already has my gift, or at least knows what he's getting me. Which was a pleasant suprise to me when I found out because he's always asking what to get me when it comes to Christmas, Birthdays, etc. and I don't want to tell him. So...he said the gift is so good I "might cry", Jessie agreed with this statement and Liz said I'm going to "looooove it".
So of course I picked my birthday present, Salem will be there next year!

Anyway...Fall and Halloween have been on my brain and I want to start making some stuff for my apartment for the season and I found some great stuff over on Etsy. When I searched "Halloween Pattern" on Etsy I found so many amazing things!!

First off, I had no idea that people made these Primitive dolls. Alot of them are very Country-ish which remind me of my ex's mother's house, she had that whole "Country Cluture" thing going on. Some of these are very creepy though and kind of remind me of a Tim Burton movie. I like these ones and now HAVE to make one.

This Raven is absolutely amazing!


from The Goode Wife of Washington County

I definitely need these bats on my tv stand in the worst way!


made by Homespun Heart Primitives

I also love these 3 Ghosts with the tombstone rubbings on them.


from Sassafras Hill Primitives

I can already see this Haunted House cross stitch hanging in my apartment. I would love to see it on some old faded aida (cross stitch fabric).


from Bella Stitchery (Who also made that sweet Owl cross stitch from last week)

This crocheted skull is absolutely amazing!! It looks pretty advanced for my basic crocheting skills but it's definitely something to strive for!


from the Design Shop

And last but not least, who doesn't need severed fingers laying around the house?! I know I do!!


from CrochetSal

I can't believe it's already August BUT I still can't wait for Fall. It's my favorite time of year!! Hoodies, leaves changing, my birthday, haunted houses, bon fires and Halloween!! What's not to love?!