making jiggy

New blog!

2010-02-02T10:00:00.001-05:00

http://makingjiggy.tumblr.com/

Most of the highlights will be migrating that way, and I'll be adding new stuff exclusively to it... so head on over. :D

Oilcloth wallet prototype!

2010-01-31T22:43:00.000-05:00

First shot at a simple oilcloth wallet. I don't really carry a lot of stuff on me, but I would like to start keeping it organized and not in three different pockets! Large enough for cash and six cards!

Tutorial coming soon. ^_^

One of the best things I have seen in forever.

2010-01-24T22:48:00.002-05:00

1264230506554, originally uploaded by StanServo.

Honestly.

Woo woo!

2010-01-13T23:18:00.004-05:00

I'm a Craftster Best of 2009 Winner!

My book headboard won something! Yes!

Everyone needs one.

2009-12-08T20:06:00.000-05:00

I've hardly done crafty stuff lately because my life got turned upside down and then shaken.

But I'm pretty proud of this.

halloweenies!

2009-11-01T08:52:00.001-05:00

So I was supposed to be a mermaid. The night before Halloween, that
costume went all wrong and I couldn't fix it.

So this was Plan B.

I serged some red fabric and cut open the outer layer of the dress. I didn't have time to stuff my intestines. That would have to come later once I got around candy.

All in all, a fun night, but I will be happy to be out of school next year so
that I can concentrate on an awesome costume.

Andy Kaufman.

2009-10-01T07:13:00.001-04:00

I found myself completely unable to trace his face in an appropriate (read: not deformed) manner, but this is why I made use of my insanely talented friend Jace.

So Jace did the tracing, and I did the embroidery. Took about 2 1/2 hours, and it covers a little over 5x6 area. Jace and I think it looks a bit like a presidential portrait. I blame the part in his hair and the turtleneck. :P

I never posted the Weasley dress!

2009-09-20T21:43:00.000-04:00

I made this from the burda pattern "maryy" for the premiere of the latest film. I actually wore it both times I went to see it.

I went with Gryffindor colors and the best family ever.

Plus, I have the biggest crush on Ron. <3

Meet Max.

2009-09-16T03:36:00.000-04:00

Our newest addition!

He's around two months old and perhaps the cutest thing ever. Well, unless you ask the other cats... I don't think they'd agree quite yet!

I actually got him from work - he had been separated from his family and a couple of boys helped catch him and were trying to find him a home. I have no willpower when it comes to kittens, so of course I said yes!

Our next adventure will be going to the vet.

Where the Wild Things Are hat!

2009-09-09T19:40:00.004-04:00

I just realized I forgot to post about this here!

I've posted it on Burdastyle, Craftster, and as always, on instructables!

The PDF pattern and how-to are on instructables!

Felt wallet prototype.

2009-09-09T19:28:00.005-04:00

I've never sewn a wallet before.
I'm not crazy about machine sewing felt.
The lower card pockets need to be taller, and the upper ones, shorter.
The tops of the pockets need to be reinforced.

But I do heart moustaches.
I got that part right!

Next time I'll fix the rest.

A purse to lose sleep over.

2009-09-09T19:21:00.007-04:00

Which is exactly what I did.

But it's gorgeous, and worth it. I don't even care that I was so tired I sewed the lining and outside together inside out the first time and had to seam rip the entire top of the bag and realign the handles.

I'm also very proud of the pleats - twas my first time!

It's made from a pattern in Bend the Rules Sewing, which is an excellent book. I made the inside pocket far too big, though, because of a typo. But I'll know for next time! This time, I think I'm going to handsew pleats into the pocket as well!

Shhh.

2009-09-09T19:16:00.002-04:00

The Didi monster is sleeping. ^_^

Maybe this will make me do more?

2009-09-07T14:45:00.005-04:00

I sat around last night and drew some letters that I then cut out of cardboard.

Good stress release after a poopy day. I decided to leave them as-is, but I hung them up with scotch tape in case I want to decorate them later. ^_^

This morning, I woke up pretty.

2009-09-07T11:59:00.003-04:00

Thought I should document this. It's happening more often and it makes me happy.

No makeup, no washing my hair or messing with it, just a quick shower and I'm done.

I've never been one to spend an hour or two getting ready, but spending no time getting ready to be seen by other people is preferable.

Back on track.

2009-08-27T14:45:00.003-04:00

$24.98 of snacky mix stuff from Pauls:
dried kiwi
dried strawberries
dried apricots
banana slices
corn nuts
raw pecans
raw almonds

10 individual bags, to take with me wherever I go. 2-3 servings a piece.
I think this will serve me well for about a month. ^_^

TAKE THAT, FRY CRAVINGS!

Hanging cardboard jewelry frames!

2009-08-22T00:34:00.005-04:00

I am really proud of these. They didn't take long at all and they hold everything I need them to.

I also like that they're super functional - I can simply lift the inner flap so that I can get the backs of earrings. A lot less fussing this way.

Full instructions at:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Hanging-cardboard-jewelry-frame/

Nicolas Cage pillow. BAM!

2009-08-12T17:15:00.002-04:00

Finally got around to finishing it.
Pretty fantastic, I'd say.

The start of a new project!

2009-08-06T12:53:00.004-04:00

Over 30 cardboard boxes - all from one shipment at work - just waiting to be made into something beautiful.

Finished book headboard.

2009-07-25T19:50:00.003-04:00

Please vote for it in the Greenwala Choose to Reuse Contest!

Clicky, clicky. Multiple times a week.

Nicolas Cage embroidery... soon to be a pillow.

2009-07-25T19:45:00.010-04:00

Bam.

Work in progress shots here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessyratfink/sets/72157621829078082/

First dress!

2009-07-12T17:30:00.004-04:00

I found a pattern on burdastyle called maryy and printed it out immediately. And, two days later, here we are!

Full set of pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessyratfink/sets/72157621221505391/

Headboard is finally done!

2009-06-28T20:15:00.003-04:00

Right now it's in the basement drying from the polyurethane coating I put on it earlier. I'll be hanging it tomorrow. It took me forever to actually sit down and do it... I've had all the pieces forever!

This is going to look so good!

Pulled beef with a spicy sauce!

2009-06-28T19:50:00.005-04:00

Today I made pulled beef because my grandmother sent me $40 in Walmart giftcards so I went shopping for Bad Movie Night food and bought some other groceries as well!

I bought a small rump roast and decided to cook it in the slow cooker. I started it around 11 today and we're just now eating. It's delicious!

Here's the recipe in case anyone is interested! (Sorry they're not exact amounts, I just make this stuff up as I go!)

Spicy Pulled Beef

Ingredients:
1 rump roast small enough to fit in your slow cooker
1 large onion
2 jalapenos
1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
8 cloves of garlic
allspice, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper
a couple tablespoons of tomato paste
dash of white vinegar
canola oil for browning
1 lime

You'll also need a crockpot, a pan for browning the meat, and a saucepan, strainer and a blender if'n you want to make a fancy sauce.

Prep work.
Slice the onion into thick rings and set aside. Dice the jalapenos, taking out most of the membrane and seeds. Smash the garlic to take the skins off, and then mince them. Open the can of tomatoes. Roll the lime and cut it in half.

Liberally rub the roast with the salt, pepper, allspice, cumin and paprika. Make sure it's evenly coated. It should look like it has a second skin.

Cooking.
Heat a small amount of canola/olive oil in your pan. Wait until the oil shimmers and begin to brown the roast. Brown it on all sides until it has a nice crust. Transfer it to the slow cooker to rest.

Now, dump in your veggies and saute them for a few minutes until they begin to soften a bit. (Watch out for the fumes here. Those peppers are dangerous!) Juice the lime into the veggies, and then dump the diced tomatoes, juice and all into the pot.

Bring this to a simmer and then pour it over the meat in the slow cooker. Turn the slow cooker to low and cook for 8 hours, turning once after 4 hours.

Finishing up!
Once the eight hours have passed, set the meat on a plate and let rest. Strain the liquid from the crockpot into a saucepan, making sure to catch all the solids in the strainer. Add the solids and a bit of liquid to the blender and process until smooth. Make sure to hold a paper towel over the top of the blender while doing this - hot liquid always wants to shoot right out of the blender!

Dump the contents back into the saucepan and taste. I added some oregano, and a bit of coriander at this point, as well as some tomato paste and a dash of vinegar.

Boil this, uncovered, for about 15 minutes or until it forms a fairly thick sauce. It should reduce and be about 1/4-1/3 of what it was before.

Serve on sandwiches or alone. We ate it alone because I forgot to get some nice bread. Hooray!

Pecan pie, scalloped potatoes, dress forms!

2009-06-04T06:47:00.003-04:00

Making things I normally don't cook has begun!
I think I should come up with a better title/mission statement, yeah?

The pecan pie is on Instructables. The scalloped potatoes should be posted later tonight.

And today - I'm buying my first ever dress form! Mermaid costume here I come!

Jogging and making!

2009-06-01T11:26:00.003-04:00

Embroidered picture frames for my mom! Full how-to at instructables!

Full how-to at instructables!

And two bags - one for my mom and one for me. The one for mom sadly messed up in the wash, though - I bought the lining fabric years ago and forgot it was dry clean only. Wasn't strong enough to hold up at the seams. :(

Oh well! Live and learn and make more!

The rest of my time recently has been spent babysitting my nephews and cooking with my mom - I went home for a week and it was great! Now I'm back in Louisville and back to work.

I'm taking up jogging again too. Trying to do a half mile every other day and building up from there. In the past I've ran too fast and too far in the beginning and burned myself out. This time I'm going to be responsible with it.

I'd really like to be able to run/jog a few miles. It's something I've never been able to do. I can ride a bike forever, but my stubby little legs don't take well to running!

Up late, realization of not posting, stuff.

2009-06-01T01:52:00.002-04:00

I guess I should get on with it, then.

For tonight, I'd like to remind all of you that Andy Samberg is hot. I will post about productive things in the morning. I have made things. I have. Promise.

When you love something you mark yourself with it forever.

2009-04-18T10:40:00.002-04:00

Or until the next day.
We got temporary Pokemon tattoos in so I gave myself a full sleeve.
These newfangled ones don't stay on very long though. I had to remove them this morning because they'd mostly rubbed off.

Pokemon sheets! Yay!

Help us, Agatha Christie!

2009-04-09T22:00:00.002-04:00

I came to work one morning many months ago to find a severed tiger head behind the toilet in the ladies' restroom. Sure, it's a stuffed tiger. And it can be taken out of inventory.

But it's a very ultraviolent thing to see when you first get to work. Instead of blood spatter there were bits of fuzz everywhere.

I forgot that I took pictures of this.

If you weren't convinced a bookstore is a forsaken and basically insane place to work I hope this helps you along. Unless you like severed heads. Then by all means, go for it!

Nicolas, Patron Saint of the Buy Counter.

2009-04-09T21:58:00.004-04:00

We are no longer in his presence and now the buy counter sucks. I bet if he was still there people wouldn't yell at us as much.

Classic literature is for losers!

2009-04-09T21:49:00.006-04:00

I took pictures of the awesomeness Nathan and I created today at work... which sold not 20 minutes later, I'm told. ;)

We realized we had a cube FULL of Cliffs Notes, which apparently never sell. And are never run out to the shelves, I guess. So Nathan ran them out and made a flat of the rest. I also suggested "bundles of knowledge" but they just ended up being recycled instead of bundled.

Can you tell I was being a little snarky on the label?

This is what happens when parents tell you they need Pride and Prejudice - the movie, the book, and the Cliffs Notes.

I am a bitter old lady!

Plants and Nicolas Cage!

2009-03-23T11:44:00.005-04:00

(picture stolen from perezhilton.com, that site I will no longer visit because he insulted my Nicolas.)

Two orders of business:

#1 - I saw Knowing last night, which is the new Nicolas Cage movie for those of you not cool enough to watch everything he does. It was not the worst movie I've ever seen, but the Biblical Alien themes were a bit much. I think I should buy the DVD and make a "Best Scenes of Knowing" montage in which he'll scream, be awkward, run around with a gun and a flashlight, and fishtail wildly in a humongous truck. :D

#2 - I am starting everything from seed this year. Cilantro, basil, oregano, parsley, tomatoes, peppers, and rosemary. They are just now starting to come up. Now I must go thrifting for containers. I don't think I have enough, and many of mine are terracotta, which I am beginning to dislike thanks to it pulling water out of everything.

The oregano is doing the best so far but it was hard to get a picture of.

They're still on top of my fridge, being warm and in the dark. I'm going to wait until more sprout to start eliminating and putting them in the sun.

Heart disease PSA!

2009-03-10T12:39:00.007-04:00

Ah, poop! I said the line wrong AGAIN!

Today I am filming and editing the first ever video I've taken of myself. Creepy!

I don't like the way I look when I talk, but I suppose that's unavoidable. :P

Can I just say that I love iMovie? This is not as hard as I thought it would be. Might I also add that I make some terrible faces when I screw up? It's pretty awesome. Having a million little thumbnails of yourself making awful faces is pretty entertaining.

Here's a link to the video if any of ya'll are interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX4yivoupio

Making purses!

2009-03-01T22:53:00.004-05:00

I've really needed a new bag for quite a while. This was my first real sewing day in forever!

I finished a friend's tshirt - let me say right here and now that stretchy fabrics are not my strong point. I think I'll just maintain that it's very artsy being sort of uneven and all. ^_^

Then I sat down and sewed the lovely tote above, from Lotta Jansdotter's book, Simple Sewing.

It took a little over an hour and was so worth it! Now if only I could find time to sew things like this more often. Maybe once the semester is over.

Fancy birthday!

2009-02-16T11:50:00.004-05:00

I stayed in bed until 10:30, and then got up and had some earl gray tea and mango pie.

Jace got me a beautiful new teapot and some stacking mugs. He also brought home a box of chocolates and a silly ribbon on Valentines - I wasn't expecting that at all! I'm still laughing at the ribbon.

And my mom got to visit! Yay! And I bought an ice cream cake. It's tradition!

Plus, I get to eat Thai food and see Coraline tonight. ^_^

Mini moustache.

2009-02-15T11:26:00.002-05:00

And Marcello. Made for a friend's birthday. :)

How to sew a hooded scarf or scoodie!

2009-02-08T22:42:00.004-05:00

Here's the complete tutorial on Instructables!

It's still snowing!

2009-01-30T09:15:00.003-05:00

I had to park my car about a 1/4 of a mile away from the apartment last night and walk because the streets are still terrible. I ice skated home, basically. All of the snow is becoming compacted and getting really slick.

I'm wondering if I'll be able to get my car out this morning, which is silly, because I managed to make it to work yesterday after Jeff dug my car out. :P

Also - no boots or shovels in sight. I guess the rest of Louisville was thinking the exact same thing. Whoops!

We're also growing some extremely badass icicles on the back porch. If Stephenie Meyer shows up, I'm ready.

Snow day, part 2.

2009-01-28T20:43:00.004-05:00

We got about eight inches of snow total, and two layers of ice at the bottom and in the middle! Jace and I walked around twice, and even had to do the plastic bag under socks trick so our feet wouldn't get wet.

Tomorrow my classes are cancelled, and I don't know about work yet. But I am definitely going to buy a pair of boots and a shovel. :D

Morning pictures!

2009-01-28T09:32:00.003-05:00

Only a few so far. It was snowing too hard to take Jace's fancy camera out.

Snow day!

2009-01-28T09:15:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was pretty crazy. Today is a blizzard!

We've got about an inch, inch and a half of ice. In addition to about five inches of snow and rising! Yesterday Jace and I walked around and he took some really great pictures with his fancy new camera. :D (I took some too, but mine are the poopy ones.)

Our whole neighborhood is covered in ice and snow - especially today! Yesterday when we walked around everything was icy, and it sleeted the entire time. Today it's really windy and snowing. We got up early and walked around. Trees and branches are falling left and right - several roads in our neighborhood are completely blocked! We watched some of them fall - it's pretty dangerous right now. I listened to them falling all morning while I was getting ready for work.

As it turns out, though, work is cancelled! We're probably going to go out again later once the snow and wind calms down. Right now we're drying off and watching the news. I'm hoping we'll have better pictures later! There's ice coating everything and it's beautiful!

Working out...

2009-01-24T10:37:00.003-05:00

With Cher!

Today is abs day, and I was feeling not so excited about doing it. This Cher workout video is my abs inspiration.

It came into work and I got so excited about it (read flapping of arms, dancing, and giggling) that my friend Kristy gave me an extra VCR she had just so I could watch it.

It really does have one of the best ab workouts ever. It's only 10 minutes, and you won't feel it right away, but give it a half hour. Then it feels like Cher's fitness instructor has kneed you in the stomach. ^_^

Plus, she wears the craziest workout outfits I've ever seen. Combat boots and a tutu? COUNT ME IN, LADY!

Kiwano fruit, I love you!

2009-01-13T21:36:00.002-05:00

Seriously, how cute is this little fruit? It looks like a demented katamari. Jace found it while shopping tonight and I just had to have it. When we got home I checked my ever handy produce field guide and it told me it tasted like a cucumber crossed with a banana.
Cut it in half, it says, and so I do. I can't say I was expecting this. It's a good thing I have a serious picture taking problem. This is a food adventure worth documenting.
It's full of little seeds I'd compare to a cucumber, and it has membranes like those of a citrus fruit, but softer. The seeds are surrounded by green jell-o. Yes, green jell-o. The books tells me to use a spoon to scoop the insides out, and so I do.
This is the shell of the fruit, after I scooped the seeds and jell-o out. I scooped into a little ramekin and then added a pinch of sugar, as instructed.
The kiwano is my new favorite flavor of jell-o. It's bubbly and tart and sweet and slightly crunchy all at the same time. The colors are so vibrant and wonderful. I think I must go back to meijer and buy more.

Happy birthday Nicolas Cage!

2009-01-07T16:51:00.006-05:00

I hope you continue to wear leather pants in your movies for many years.

Start of a new project.

2008-12-28T19:50:00.003-05:00

Books and books and books. Been sitting on this one for some time now. I'm happy to get started.

Thrift!

2008-12-27T22:34:00.004-05:00

I love thrift stores. Well, two in particular.

#1 - The Answer in Benton, Ky
#2 - Wayside Christian Mission in Louisville, KY

They are both huge and filled to the brim with awesome. I would recommend coming to Benton for Tater Day and staying for The Answer.

Recently, I found a whole pattern box FULL of patterns for $1.99 at Wayside. I finally unpacked it tonight and I don't know that I've ever been more excited about the 1970's. :D

Plus, a vintage apron pattern! Score! And the box is crazy 70's green, which I love. A lot.

Young Christian Boys Find Internet, Create Epic Fail.

2008-12-26T21:03:00.002-05:00

You dissed me aerlier about saying how un unchristian it was to like boobs. well, you see, its normal to like boobs ok? wether your christian or not, i try to stay as sin free as possible but god made women with breasts for the purpose of feeding a baby, but also to attract someone to have the baby with. So technically and religiously, its not a sin to like boobs. thats how god created us, and that is how we some are. they like boobs. WHAT is a sin, is going up to little teenager with big boobs and molesting them. thats a sin, not liking boobs. just to clear some stuff up. but seriously, i know your christian and stuff like me, but that doesnt mean you have to tell other people that liking boobs isnt ok.

Loves.

Giant moustache, part 2.

2008-12-22T20:51:00.003-05:00

In summary, I have great friends. :D

Giant stuffed moustache.

2008-12-21T20:53:00.002-05:00

This is what I made today. I quite like it.

I can't wait to go to work tomorrow and take pictures of everyone with it on. :D

I documented the whole thing on Instructables as usual if anyone wants to know how to make their own. ^_^

Kevin Sorbo makes everything better.

2008-12-16T22:10:00.003-05:00

Color a robot, you say?

Okay, but I'll need to take it to the max!

Fast Food Bannage.

2008-12-11T15:29:00.004-05:00

I have banned fast food from my diet. I finally gave up after a eating spell at Taco Bell led me on an awful migraine journey that lasted for four days.

I have no reason to eat it besides being lazy, really. And that's no excuse! So I've been making a little list of reason not to eat fast food, to keep myself on the straight and narrow fast food hating track. :D

#1 - Those are not real potatoes.
#2 - I don't really like meat that much, especially mystery meat!
#3 - I'm an awesome cook.
#4 - I like fresh fruits and veggies.
#5 - I can cook cheaper with fresh foods, hence saving monies.
#6 - Planning ahead and packing a lunch means I don't have to venture out into traffic and get stressed out during my lunch break.
#7 - I can control what I'm eating.
#8 - No sass from disgruntled fast food workers that hate their job. (Not that I blame them at all, I gave sass when I worked at McD's.)
#9 - The food has probably been sitting there for hours if they've been slow, and chances are the employees have been picking at it and slowly devouring everything in sight. It's what happened at McD's.
#10 - I keep remembering the lady at KFC who scooped out mac and cheese into tubs with her hands, and then licked her hands. It was surreal, but I'm sure it probably happens often.

...and a million other reasons, I'm sure.

I've been clean for over a month now, except for a couple of days ago when I got french fries from Penn Station, but I don't think that counts because I know those are real potatoes, and they fry them to order and they're not so scary. :D

Death and storytime?

2008-11-16T10:44:00.003-05:00

Children have a way of talking about death that I find very curious.

Somehow, a normal conversation about dogs ended in two little girls talking about dogs being run over. This was not mentioned once, but several times.

They mention the fact that they died nonchalantly, they don't seem upset in the least. They try to one-up each other with stories of squished dogs.

A very bizarre turn of events at what was supposed to be mystery storytime.

In other news, I work today and then I am off for a week. Too bad I have responsibilities to attend to. Boo-urns!

Halloweenies!!

2008-10-31T12:00:00.000-04:00

(Yes, I am posting from the past. You shut your mouth!)

Halloween was fun this year. I got to dress up twice. Jace went as three different things, I went as the same thing in two outfits. ;)

I did Bettie Page, he did an Anne Rice style vampire, a scary clown thing, and Ghostrider. The Ghostrider costume was my favorite because we just threw it together and it still looked amazing.

I documented my costume on instructables, if you wanna see! :D

We watched Leprechaun 5: In Da Hood and Death Bed: The Bed That Eats (people). And look, I know this is a bad movie night, and I know I am one of the founders of bad movie night, but there were truly, amazingly, awful. We we going to watch Leprechaun 4 which takes place in space and it sounded great but when the DVD arrived it was broken clean in half. Sad.

Death Bed is one of the most boring and badly done horror movies to ever grace my eyes and I can't even say I enjoyed it. At the end of it we were checking to see what chapter we were on because we just didn't think we were going to make it.

As of right now, my top five worst movies ever list has changed:
#1 - Hobb's End
#2 - Death Bed: The Bed That Eats
#3 - Starship Troopers 2
#4 - I Know Who Killed Me
#5 - Vampires vs Zombies

Things that occurred today.

2008-10-10T21:40:00.005-04:00

I watched a new Nicolas Cage movie. I typed that as Cafe the first time. But anyway, Bringing Out the Dead. It was a good movie. It might have run a bit long of that might have just been the day. It seems they're going that way lately.

I cut off my hair. I think I look quite nice. I might keep it this way.

I made teacher appreciation baskets.

I thought about making my moustache pillow, but then didn't continue the project again.

I thought about cooking lots of things and then cooked none of them.

I was scolded by a lady computer on the phone for not picking up my birth control in a timely matter at the Target pharmacy.

I rode thirteen miles. I am tempted to ride more, but I am afraid that the 400 calories I've burned might be too much. I have hardly eaten today.

I cut out pictures of Stephen King, Nora Roberts, Oprah, Danielle Steel, John Grisham, Dr. Phil, Tim LaHaye and Dave Barry. I'm doing embroideries.

I listened to copious amounts of Tom Petty.

It's been a pretty decent sort of day.

A baby that isn't a kitty!

2008-09-11T14:15:00.006-04:00

Super happy about being held by mom.

Why do you keep following me with that thing?
Nipples!
This is his mean face.

When I went home I had the pleasure of seeing one of the only children I sincerely enjoy being around, my nephew Bladen. :D (You must understand that I work retail and therefore hate children for the most part.)

His hobbies include fixing cars, eating basketballs, beating animals when he means to pet them, drooling on himself, playing with his nipples because he just now realized they exist, yelling to get attention so I'll pick him up, manipulating people with cuteness to get what he wants, nakey time and running away from my camera. :)

He's a busy little man.

Projects and more projects.

2008-09-11T14:04:00.003-04:00

Yesterday when I got off work I made some salsa. I just got back from visiting my mom, and she sent me back with some absolutely beautiful peppers and tomatoes. The tomatoes are sweet and firm, and the peppers are dangerous as all get out.

She warned me about them - the guy who grows them lets them cross pollinate like crazy, so you never really know the type of pepper that will come out. Jalapenos that taste like habaneros, for example.

I cut open the poblano (the top picture) and it was beautiful and smelled mighty hot, so I figured it would be fine. But after I mixed the salsa together and tasted it, I decided I'd add another pepper. I chose a very unassuming looking little jalapeno... now my salsa is really exciting.

The jalapeno has a very grassy taste, and it's so wonderful until the heat hits you. Most of the salsa is relatively mild, but every few bites you get a taste of the jalapeno and you know the heat is on its way.

I haven't done much else but make salsa since I've been home. I did buy a mop and sew up another eye mask... but that's about it.

I do have lots of stuff planned for the upcoming couple weeks... a robot embroidery, Faberge eggs, applique on this awesome wool coat I found, perfecting my pin-up girl makeup. Other things too, like the chastity belt, but that's farther away.

I think I need another vacation from work. ;)

Kentucky State Fair, yeah!

2008-08-18T20:21:00.012-04:00

Oh yes. A day filled with food, mullets, obesity, annoying children, sun, fun, and singing pigs. Oh, and some ugly lamps, Jesus cross stitch, quilts, terrible clothing, and tons more! And lots of pictures of Jason, because he kept wandering into my shots. Yay.

First up - food! Tons of it - no deep fried twinkies, pickles, or snickers bars as far as I saw, though. Very sad. But I did get roasted corn! YES!! I love you, corn on the cob.

We started out the day with funnel cake. See how excited Jace looks? Oh yes. So excited. He really only gets excited about ugly children and Metal Gear Solid.

Jace got some excellent fries and BBQ at the same food tent. He said the BBQ tasted like a sloppy joe. I don't agree. I warned him I was going to take lots of pictures today. He still didn't like it.

Later we also had ice cream but I don't have photo documentation of that. I had peach and Jace had chocolate. And then he wandered off before the singing pig bit and bought a huge icee and a bag of cotton candy.

If you'd like a better look at the mullet - here it is. Glorious. I sort of hope she's in the wheelchair because she was in an epic fight in defense of her mullet. Rock on, lady!

The complete set of photos can be found in my flickr account. ^_^

Get well soon.

2008-08-16T18:41:00.002-04:00

Jeff is my #1 Will Smith Goodness supplier. Thank you, sir!

Oriental booty.

2008-08-16T18:30:00.003-04:00

No, not that sort.

Seth and I decided to go grocery shopping today. I mostly decided this because I was in dire need of tapioca pearls. We went to a couple places off third street, with really generic sounding "Oriental" and "Vietnam" names. Do not be fooled by the names, though! They were amazing.

I will most certainly be going back.

Not only did I find three varieties of tapioca pearls, I also found the straws that are necessary to drink it properly along with green tea flavored boba mix. :D

I also bought some good quality fish sauce and lots of little candies and ginger and jasmine teas. Weeeee! Today was a good day afterall.

I just need to learn how to talk & read about food in foreign languages and I'll be all set.

Laundry day.

2008-08-11T15:22:00.003-04:00

See you there.
Underthings, tumbling.

So I had that stuck in my head the entire time while doing the laundry. I also later subjected four new people to the glory that is Dr. Horrible. Obsessed, you say? Pffft.

Last night was bad movie night. We watched Bloodrayne 2. Uwe Boll is quite frankly one of the most ridiculous people in the history of the world. We attempted to re-watch some of the movie with commentary, but he basically speaks jibberish, talks about how there are people waiting for him downstairs, yawns, and tries to remind everyone that he is a movie making master, and if you disagree... well... then his astonishing grasp of cursing in English comes out in full force. ^_^

To witness the genius of Uwe Boll, click here. It's even better if you or someone else read it aloud in a funny accent.

Broken toe = long days.

2008-08-09T11:18:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I broke my toe. Yesterday ended up being a very unproductive and stabby day.

Today, though, I'm not feeling the stabby as much. I'm still not able to stand on it for long amounts of time or move around properly because of the suffocating fear of accidentally hitting my toe on something, but I think I might get something done! Yay!

Yesterday I just spent a lot of time Stumbling and making half-assed cleaning attempts.

I suppose I should just be happy that I broke it two days before I had two days off, which leads to four days of recovery time. I'll hopefully be able to get back into work on Tuesday!

As of right now I am trying to figure out crochet again. I have so far only accumulated a big pile of fail. (Part of that is pictured above.)

I might need to move on to sewing up an adipose. :D

Bike rides and projects.

2008-08-07T22:07:00.007-04:00

Mmmhmm.

I bought a bike on Sunday and today is the first day I've neglected it. I feel guilty. I'm seriously lacking in the energy department after staying up so late to finish season 3 of Doctor Who.

Plus, I really do need to get on Google Earth and map out some routes to bike. Frankfort Ave. is just busy enough that I feel as though I need a plan if I'm going to venture out on to it. As of right now I'm riding in circles in my little part of the 'hood (street cred, yeah!) and trying to take all the big hills close by. I'd like to go exploring a bit more.

I've also finally finished my Robot so I am able to start a new project. I think it will be chastity belts. Oh, and also building a TARDIS.

I should also begin documenting my trip to San Francisco. That was the whole point of this anyway. Whoops. Oh, hey, look at that. I've posted one of my pictures! PROGRESS!

Sewing with Chester.

2008-08-03T14:29:00.001-04:00

Today I am finishing my Instructables Robot plushie. (Well, actually, the third plushie, but the official one to boot.)

Chester has been hanging out with me and telling me stories about being a street cat. I suppose I've adopted him - considering I've named him and I feed him and play with him everyday.

He's quite fancy, though, isn't he?

Let the jiggy begin.

2008-08-01T01:23:00.000-04:00

Greetings, internets.

I am here because I have things I need to remember. Yay!