tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85607120266790208792024-03-14T09:34:17.285-07:00Paper RaindropsInnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.comBlogger221125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-59583075424600564042015-01-03T14:59:00.000-08:002015-01-03T14:59:53.093-08:00Dear Person binge! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Do you think that if I show you SIX dear person letters, you'll forget that I haven't blogged in forever?</div>
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No? </div>
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Didn't think so.</div>
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But it was worth a shot. :)</div>
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Recently I decided I was taking my dear person letters too seriously. So I started just having fun with them again, and not caring if they aren't perfect. In fact, I started purposely doing different things to make them messier and freer! I'd give myself missions for most of the drawings, such as only using my left hand, in hopes of loosening up the drawings. It's been a blast! </div>
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This first one was done mostly blind contour. I only cheated and looked at the page a few times. ;)</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDgZt3OhRepe0zNuwWsseA7JgnuJ4qsmu6wtHuWDZLnujeEHae_kTrAA5jiigKN5ybQFcQEG2xwipjPxkN866BNsMh8coG5DqzgkD2eABqNxFbalw33ShJG2KSR0kXLSdN0U3vWNJ02C0/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+inna+dear+person+sketch+book+pink+scooter+manly+man+blind+contor+drawing.jpg" width="600" /></div>
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The next two were ones I had penciled in ages ago, but didn't get around to finishing until recently.<br />
In the first one I had fun with thick and thin lines, and playing with using acrylic color in some places but leaving others white.<br />
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This one I finished with watercolor. As you can see, I played around with some messy lines and also decided to embrace the fact that her grin came out looking weird. :)</div>
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For this one, I gave myself permission to get really scribbly. And if I remember right, this was also a left-handed mission! </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFDyxGLng7_0tBugI-hNWGJllqLFmAsPAiS_sQiiEqxyNyEJ2aPfbZAbkHXcynqPvkMl64xNzBv6RId2yHFZWELxHfR7DB8tN_npjjZ6l7vm_ASiJmnZP5puHAvaalV2_Vlr68gB1bzwA/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+dear+person+murica+overweight+golf+cart+today+i+saw.jpg" width="750" /><br />
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This is one of my favorites. My fun/messy mission for this one was to use a colored pen instead of black, and to not lift the pen off the paper for the main drawing so that all the lines are connected. Again, I only cheated a few times. ;)<br />
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This one is probably one of my all time favorites. I had so much fun drawing all the details I remembered about her! </div>
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Which one is your favorite? Do you ever have to remind yourself to have fun with your art and not get too serious?<br />
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P.S. Happy New Year!
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I always enjoy it when other people share their sketchbooks and art journals, so I thought I'd let you peek into one of mine today! I've had a lot of art journals over the years, and I've shared a few posts about them before. <a href="http://www.paperraindrops.blogspot.com/2013/02/finished-art-journal-book-binding-diy.html" target="_blank">This </a>one was especially popular. But I haven't shared a whole lot from this particular one ... until now. :)</div>
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Sometimes art journaling can be overwhelming, because I feel like my entries have to be perfect, or I have to remember to record EVERYTHING, and then my journals start feeling tense. And that's just stupid, because I love the way messy, relaxed journals look, and they're way more fun to make too!</div>
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Sometimes I have to literally remind myself to have fun and scribble around in my journals. I have found that it helps if I have a completely separate notebook that is my designated Whatever I Feel Like journal. That's what this one is. It just sort of lays around, and I am allowed to forget about it for a while and pick it up when I feel like it. No pressure. No<i> need </i>to record everything. I have given myself permission to mess around in it. If I make a mistake, I just work with it, or I flip the page and start over but leave the messed up page in place instead of ripping it out (usually). </div>
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But of course, I'm pretty much only sharing the highlights today, obviously. It's my blog, why would I share my ugly art?? ;)</div>
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My mind has been wandering a LOT lately. So yesterday I let the words wander with my mind, all over the page, and it reminded me of an ant trail for some reason. And there were also a few ugly blobby scribbles that I didn't like, so I turned them into the ants. :)<br />
(Leaving mistakes in your journals sometimes makes you get more creative, and you end up with an even better result! If I had torn the page out the second I accidentally made those blobs, I wouldn't have thought of this.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1mMXqmWGjQWKGz5WeJDjaivRZP5X88eUbwxW8wHC-9vIjZO7vA4y5APIoLfm2gqw4wITykOOucEKdrwrXWPAjoeMdDXtSV6MOCUGsVbcHwvAREZz3AR24kenbiHXAMkNRbxkmORuYfeU/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+art+journal+ants+doodle+writing+typography+ideas+doodle+sketchbook+moody+light+wood+leaves+color+dim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1mMXqmWGjQWKGz5WeJDjaivRZP5X88eUbwxW8wHC-9vIjZO7vA4y5APIoLfm2gqw4wITykOOucEKdrwrXWPAjoeMdDXtSV6MOCUGsVbcHwvAREZz3AR24kenbiHXAMkNRbxkmORuYfeU/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+art+journal+ants+doodle+writing+typography+ideas+doodle+sketchbook+moody+light+wood+leaves+color+dim.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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Sometimes I get weird ideas. </div>
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Soooo ... yes, I did stamp the page with chunks of the beets I was eating with supper. Sorry not sorry.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNYxQIC5j3hcLMmhTa5azBNZubI5hgS0fi39gmhcQy4Ahk4M3buf0ZuD4-y-0fQaLxgbL7GdmmAdnvDnLtZvgm36_pOOk4WDfulZuknjc76OzV6ethwVPcdYxcNbA0uxrWI4ZTPDtcITS/s1600/stamping+with+beets+vegetables+juice+dye+pink+project+art+journal+sketchbook+leaves+outdoor+light+rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNYxQIC5j3hcLMmhTa5azBNZubI5hgS0fi39gmhcQy4Ahk4M3buf0ZuD4-y-0fQaLxgbL7GdmmAdnvDnLtZvgm36_pOOk4WDfulZuknjc76OzV6ethwVPcdYxcNbA0uxrWI4ZTPDtcITS/s1600/stamping+with+beets+vegetables+juice+dye+pink+project+art+journal+sketchbook+leaves+outdoor+light+rain.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__dROKH688XyBWu91SWKpI_3q7H9CXwY43l4iJkh0xLgJujneZn-QwpJNMbndDiFF1bgGAxk5k4VSVEfW6ildnwnY8RvJnfL2O5RMP1wWYM5Aze_g3TBQQ78U_nQ4wLFDpxMyoKM-VKgL/s1600/paper+raindrops+beet+dye+natural+unique+stamping+ideas+vegetables+journal+art+project+sketchbook+rainy+day+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__dROKH688XyBWu91SWKpI_3q7H9CXwY43l4iJkh0xLgJujneZn-QwpJNMbndDiFF1bgGAxk5k4VSVEfW6ildnwnY8RvJnfL2O5RMP1wWYM5Aze_g3TBQQ78U_nQ4wLFDpxMyoKM-VKgL/s1600/paper+raindrops+beet+dye+natural+unique+stamping+ideas+vegetables+journal+art+project+sketchbook+rainy+day+light.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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This page has a lot more personal stuff on it, hence the convenient blurring. </div>
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Don't be so snoopy, guys. Gosh. </div>
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;)</div>
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These pages are a perfect example of what my brain is like right now. All over the place. Overwhelmed. Exploding. Overhinking. Messy. Questioning.</div>
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Two solid pages of this madness, without hardly trying. </div>
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I guess some times in life are just like this - beautiful, in their own way, but a gosh darn convoluted mess at the same time. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1sOXQ6E7Xs-dTfwalxIvPUx2tcNDFKPOxteLDylr4UghoxeCw2gRvwsvrtSUOgwKYwy08IKfROlpLLOjLFcfQlX7ud6XZrsG0Jd3n-u7rqfj_s8XygESbAu07j5z3i9_gCeoRCks_vco/s1600/paper+raindrops+journaling+therapy+question+mark+typography+black+and+white+doodles+sketches+sketchbook+ideas+messy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1sOXQ6E7Xs-dTfwalxIvPUx2tcNDFKPOxteLDylr4UghoxeCw2gRvwsvrtSUOgwKYwy08IKfROlpLLOjLFcfQlX7ud6XZrsG0Jd3n-u7rqfj_s8XygESbAu07j5z3i9_gCeoRCks_vco/s1600/paper+raindrops+journaling+therapy+question+mark+typography+black+and+white+doodles+sketches+sketchbook+ideas+messy.jpg" width="750" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyOWY1i_bV_4ZXYgPxMLBg-BVz9NfNVMN5JxK3kW-YjvpsH-pqbaiPMOLstN54XbD6rxXv3S80itft7jspqRkF2NzkozUVnCKyL1OF7k0-a7aVQZs1sw9PGiFkOVstL5FsnAfKXL_FNVO/s1600/paper+raindrops+john+green+quote+my+thoughts+are+stars+i+cannot+fathom+into+constellations+blah+blah+blah+sketches+typography+question+mark+journalling+the+confusion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyOWY1i_bV_4ZXYgPxMLBg-BVz9NfNVMN5JxK3kW-YjvpsH-pqbaiPMOLstN54XbD6rxXv3S80itft7jspqRkF2NzkozUVnCKyL1OF7k0-a7aVQZs1sw9PGiFkOVstL5FsnAfKXL_FNVO/s1600/paper+raindrops+john+green+quote+my+thoughts+are+stars+i+cannot+fathom+into+constellations+blah+blah+blah+sketches+typography+question+mark+journalling+the+confusion.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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Some doodles from today. </div>
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There's no substitute for a pen and a notebook now and then. It's therapeutic for the frantic brain. Really.</div>
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Doesn't it even <i>look </i>more peaceful, after getting that mess out earlier? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVqSOR1HCWiAeqUYmaJMQcyBSgcntC2Y1kEGaBn8WY_JA3vm3WCoQVAUh3pNkWklWvNat0TTdb9s16Go-Ok4a362xAAK9Kj1NFxkXjPm-Wc42M3kR1nW69Su1TjE3bcEJNIGPU8C3UolJ/s1600/paper+raindrops+art+journal+sketchbook+doodle+peek+purple+zen+tangle+moody+light+hipster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVqSOR1HCWiAeqUYmaJMQcyBSgcntC2Y1kEGaBn8WY_JA3vm3WCoQVAUh3pNkWklWvNat0TTdb9s16Go-Ok4a362xAAK9Kj1NFxkXjPm-Wc42M3kR1nW69Su1TjE3bcEJNIGPU8C3UolJ/s1600/paper+raindrops+art+journal+sketchbook+doodle+peek+purple+zen+tangle+moody+light+hipster.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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These are a few of my old entries from last year. Sometimes I only write one sentence on a page, and those are actually some of my favorites.<br />
They are so quiet and simple.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8oOtZHsB3PdbN5j9Q93mISZs2weh0rVT_bjdrnTxMBI65Wt6vLvU4tAA0BME2m5_FkEWlryXrIJ5DwI40R12O5ibXVzpqJ_G5iL7x-ex-p3QNyA_ih2GqnzQ6-MfV_5dueOF4DFhmPMg/s1600/paper+raindrops+wood+smoke+rain+coffee+quote+full+life+living+honest+folk+living.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8oOtZHsB3PdbN5j9Q93mISZs2weh0rVT_bjdrnTxMBI65Wt6vLvU4tAA0BME2m5_FkEWlryXrIJ5DwI40R12O5ibXVzpqJ_G5iL7x-ex-p3QNyA_ih2GqnzQ6-MfV_5dueOF4DFhmPMg/s1600/paper+raindrops+wood+smoke+rain+coffee+quote+full+life+living+honest+folk+living.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XY9SdpojWc8cXBbt0gQXIJQpM0E1arkw_QgW0sD_b-clj7T223k42DiSeqRsKvtjLMwP38HOaj3kIs-kInVpRals6LeZMlzzxTszF6qRD4KDBIuVjxWo3f98s5leSfW4_H0OLMw_vErh/s1600/paper+raindrops+inna+quote+i+fall+asleep+and+dream+about+how+tired+i+am+journal+honest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XY9SdpojWc8cXBbt0gQXIJQpM0E1arkw_QgW0sD_b-clj7T223k42DiSeqRsKvtjLMwP38HOaj3kIs-kInVpRals6LeZMlzzxTszF6qRD4KDBIuVjxWo3f98s5leSfW4_H0OLMw_vErh/s1600/paper+raindrops+inna+quote+i+fall+asleep+and+dream+about+how+tired+i+am+journal+honest.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsqoCQDu7lxoWAngWcDTjJ4JOfOGWT-u6U6XVaE9J-7PE6cpmwfzOtirsQIG_maXtegMMTAmKwHYfRlrK1aVLMcFvXDaR1VhY1iKYF-z_Rs62cVPBkC3JYOwkttBeDRPhtZpfaYJOj5NQ/s1600/today+i+am+craving+daffodils+spring+quote+book+leaf+moody+folk+live+authentic+wordy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsqoCQDu7lxoWAngWcDTjJ4JOfOGWT-u6U6XVaE9J-7PE6cpmwfzOtirsQIG_maXtegMMTAmKwHYfRlrK1aVLMcFvXDaR1VhY1iKYF-z_Rs62cVPBkC3JYOwkttBeDRPhtZpfaYJOj5NQ/s1600/today+i+am+craving+daffodils+spring+quote+book+leaf+moody+folk+live+authentic+wordy.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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This was a poem I wrote using those word poetry magnets that people usually have on their fridges. Except I have them on my closet door. :) This particular poem has actually been on my closet since I <a href="http://paperraindrops.blogspot.com/2011/06/closet-door-makeovah.html" target="_blank">painted it</a> with metallic paint back in 2011! Good grief - throwback post, much?<br />
The poem doesn't make any sense, and doesn't "mean" anything, but I liked the way the words sounded together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLoFoVLF6rLRTvSkpmG526Iu8EmXEwcifa-oUiBUlKXqaJY0Q9KUJzwkL0E-SLcrH5ET3IYa6ovaXu5trTexGNKsbr_sZuNEH1ugJQBhwbFXMwSUEU8nRnC2-7BKz5LVToBdH-49_nLle/s1600/poetry+art+journal+quote+color+moody+rain+light+dim+sweet+music+moon+in+wane+sky+be+blue+shadow+words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLoFoVLF6rLRTvSkpmG526Iu8EmXEwcifa-oUiBUlKXqaJY0Q9KUJzwkL0E-SLcrH5ET3IYa6ovaXu5trTexGNKsbr_sZuNEH1ugJQBhwbFXMwSUEU8nRnC2-7BKz5LVToBdH-49_nLle/s1600/poetry+art+journal+quote+color+moody+rain+light+dim+sweet+music+moon+in+wane+sky+be+blue+shadow+words.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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Another word poetry thing I came up with. I just liked it. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lkfyGcf55qQE8f4M6CkedZ35Rfnz65NGvANsV1BNtBntzazwYTdR2jaHEXjzANpqB4LIGbF0iVRsptBgX1dP31dV2uXGNyZf_rvMNWQGc0qfMBGgXatIVA-dsSNnC4fafpU2rZnJ3vyH/s1600/oh+us+are+mad+her+said+am+he+too+quote+silly+unique+words+interesting+journal+quote+book+inna+paper+raindrops+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lkfyGcf55qQE8f4M6CkedZ35Rfnz65NGvANsV1BNtBntzazwYTdR2jaHEXjzANpqB4LIGbF0iVRsptBgX1dP31dV2uXGNyZf_rvMNWQGc0qfMBGgXatIVA-dsSNnC4fafpU2rZnJ3vyH/s1600/oh+us+are+mad+her+said+am+he+too+quote+silly+unique+words+interesting+journal+quote+book+inna+paper+raindrops+blog.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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Below is a question I texted one of my friends once, and her reply, typed on my grandma's typewriter. </div>
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My friend just started a <a href="http://graceforagirl.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>, btw. You should check it out, because she's lovely. :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbcHWUWnqSn2llaUurhmGTQYMksauHqOUEcH3NwhmWn3EczuPbDwXsRiiQpGhRi8AASeqntElvgjGV05YoC01Qayx9jIv8s69l6xwtoFru2h1RZeg0dPD99ka1lJhsmUhJD19JgP6AdsN/s1600/hauntingly+genuine+beautifully+honest+word+words+quote+sacrifice+leaf+dim+light+photos+note+card+ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbcHWUWnqSn2llaUurhmGTQYMksauHqOUEcH3NwhmWn3EczuPbDwXsRiiQpGhRi8AASeqntElvgjGV05YoC01Qayx9jIv8s69l6xwtoFru2h1RZeg0dPD99ka1lJhsmUhJD19JgP6AdsN/s1600/hauntingly+genuine+beautifully+honest+word+words+quote+sacrifice+leaf+dim+light+photos+note+card+ideas.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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Oh yeah. And just so you know that I'm not lying about messing up, here is one of my incomplete/messed up pages. It was going to be a scribbly golf cart for a <a href="http://paperraindrops.blogspot.com/search/label/Dear%20Person" target="_blank">Dear Person</a> letter. But no.<br />
I have multiple pages with indecipherable scribbles like this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRN3v83UMmrgFutoIVNgH_arg9ourUjK1YsVRylWNg2Zfqj1MkZR9xGbNKZL49lQihMsDMYsiwfmhPhBqtQyhs623JnEKq42kevEIeOpyvQx7d2qS1d1PwrNCFzUVo0e2XZYGrTupxr4o/s1600/messy+doodle+failed+sketch+art+journal+mistake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRN3v83UMmrgFutoIVNgH_arg9ourUjK1YsVRylWNg2Zfqj1MkZR9xGbNKZL49lQihMsDMYsiwfmhPhBqtQyhs623JnEKq42kevEIeOpyvQx7d2qS1d1PwrNCFzUVo0e2XZYGrTupxr4o/s1600/messy+doodle+failed+sketch+art+journal+mistake.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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And this is the page I doodled all over to design my cartoon character when drawing my first <a href="http://www.paperraindrops.blogspot.com/2014/06/drawing-my-first-comic-strip-introverts.html" target="_blank">comic strip</a>. </div>
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See? Not all of my pages are exactly pretty. But I keep them in because 1.) I don't care, this journal is for <i>watever, </i>even - especially - messes, and 2.) messes have a certain charm when you look back on them after enough time has passed. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJHjDXP83189FvAIewoVG8SGRvPXPddfP_cP3aU-X2b2udDeZtSzyAhgCbTdEGnMqrmRqjvQ5_N8xbapA3utRn1u9CXAE5P-3rqb2tgsf5VzVdGpOg-UOw5Lk4hPOnbUAemD6baIME87F/s1600/paper+raindrops+designing+cartoon+characters+comic+strip+design+behind+the+scenes+art+journal+sketch+planning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJHjDXP83189FvAIewoVG8SGRvPXPddfP_cP3aU-X2b2udDeZtSzyAhgCbTdEGnMqrmRqjvQ5_N8xbapA3utRn1u9CXAE5P-3rqb2tgsf5VzVdGpOg-UOw5Lk4hPOnbUAemD6baIME87F/s1600/paper+raindrops+designing+cartoon+characters+comic+strip+design+behind+the+scenes+art+journal+sketch+planning.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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Other things I have in this sketchbook include a few <i>successful </i>Dear Person letters, which I can't show here because I'm saving them for a separate post. And in case you were wondering, this is also the sketchbook that I drew <a href="http://www.paperraindrops.blogspot.com/2014/06/drawings-they-just-are.html" target="_blank">these</a> in:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdZRw8mgNz4OvmcyBibxKGyJpH7UO79Z9z3KqfIp3ezFSRHlEMEnI1BPoS8_ejQoyJUrPlM86Y2wcz2dH39FN8j_xMHzb8rfYeAfC2i3AeEj_Isc9QcEHRCnTpkN8JdneAg6V_RjMLQ8l/s1600/boquet+of+wishes+dandelion+photography+art+journal+project+sketchbook+watercolor+ink+pen+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdZRw8mgNz4OvmcyBibxKGyJpH7UO79Z9z3KqfIp3ezFSRHlEMEnI1BPoS8_ejQoyJUrPlM86Y2wcz2dH39FN8j_xMHzb8rfYeAfC2i3AeEj_Isc9QcEHRCnTpkN8JdneAg6V_RjMLQ8l/s1600/boquet+of+wishes+dandelion+photography+art+journal+project+sketchbook+watercolor+ink+pen+line.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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I also pasted in one of the stargazing maps that I had to print out for an astronomy class I took last year. I have a thing for stars and galaxies. <3</div>
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See what I mean? :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDdVOPotgZ1J0tUGEegrfMx3UFkmewxFyqN9HZ7XMPbI7ONDkm3T6WdSWpLaNU8tLPzSpGNS2Hlk7Eu2-AAIdrG9gu13LahuOH88f4aJajW1cgmYD-CQ-tNgtTjCTzmQIRT_j9rkjQ0s-/s1600/art+galaxy+stars+universe+watercolor+splatter+paint+painting+stardust+whovian+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDdVOPotgZ1J0tUGEegrfMx3UFkmewxFyqN9HZ7XMPbI7ONDkm3T6WdSWpLaNU8tLPzSpGNS2Hlk7Eu2-AAIdrG9gu13LahuOH88f4aJajW1cgmYD-CQ-tNgtTjCTzmQIRT_j9rkjQ0s-/s1600/art+galaxy+stars+universe+watercolor+splatter+paint+painting+stardust+whovian+copy.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBw5WadQf8nfaB_kzMeNL1AjT-fK5AixXggW5f4G4Nt8Xh3N2ASuSQEe-jbSmJxzIVdD-5FUugQ_hw4UfHgz_W_4KRliqqNBZjg7S7dRJTRf5_Wn2tUBbyeohFnsxaV1xFh1L4xQxmtpe-/s1600/rainy+day+light+moody+wet+art+journal+gloomy+project+things+to+do+ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBw5WadQf8nfaB_kzMeNL1AjT-fK5AixXggW5f4G4Nt8Xh3N2ASuSQEe-jbSmJxzIVdD-5FUugQ_hw4UfHgz_W_4KRliqqNBZjg7S7dRJTRf5_Wn2tUBbyeohFnsxaV1xFh1L4xQxmtpe-/s1600/rainy+day+light+moody+wet+art+journal+gloomy+project+things+to+do+ideas.jpg" width="750" /></a><br />
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Well, there you go. A peek into another one of my art journals. </div>
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Sometimes it's awful fun to splat paint around, be a dork and stamp pages with beets, write easy simple words when you're feeling overwhelmed ... and to just give your brain a chance to breathe and create without any pressure at all. </div>
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Give it a try? </div>
Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-58309468607441736992014-08-25T11:43:00.000-07:002014-08-25T11:44:52.992-07:00Introducing my second blog! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Howdy peeps! </div>
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Well, you know me. Always getting new ideas and trying stuff out... </div>
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I guess it was inevitable that I would start another blog at some point. :)</div>
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It is my pleasure (obviously) to introduce ... <i><a href="http://www.chattersnatcher.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chatter Snatcher</a></i>! </div>
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The new blog is pretty different than this one because it has a specific theme for the posts, instead of being all over the place. I will definitely still be blogging here though. This isn't to replace Paper Raindrops ... it's more of a supplementary blog. </div>
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Essentially, the blog is about tiny bits of random conversations that I have overheard from strangers. Be sure to read the About page for more details and to understand why I'm kinda in love with this weird, seemingly straightforward new project. :) </div>
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Also, because the posts themselves aren't terribly time-consuming to make, I will be able to post much more frequently than I do on this blog! </div>
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I'm hoping for 3-5 posts a week, actually. </div>
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I think I'm probably crazy...</div>
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Do you like how I included a screenshot to entice you over? ;) I so fancy.</div>
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<a href="http://www.chattersnatcher.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMCyZU22kpsOKTnVN2CzwGFhE1tIQGA9lB06zWO0ZvG3fes1o3Hrn-Iy2Rv0mYDos2aoJTdEbOyXIMbNzlO4hw8VDC39H1x_H5G1L0bEUxqE6ExfvfO0BpIe2B-v7p1LAbAVcil1czG73/s1600/chatter+snatcher+new+blog+paper+raindrops+inna+project+overheard+snippits+of+conversation+new+york+overheard+idea+wanting+publication.PNG" width="750" /></a></div>
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Well, here's to new adventures in the blogging world! Feel free to follow, comment, share, tweet, google+, pin, and all that good stuff, blah blah blah.<br />
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Ya'll are the best.Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-60092470356573248012014-08-21T15:49:00.000-07:002014-09-01T09:28:41.468-07:00The story of a bizarre good day <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTF7hDm8wDZ2tLn0UvSuhP9-UC22vsvirTDSUVEs_fKaPAMgUoNLjGFW5v5IahtRwFUKTXt-xlMfoMBTzUVf756lBP4x-THcGpQL_U1zsiENk9tFs_cXsFk0RSoWFsM9f86-h33yfsqHql/s1600/paper+raindrops+nichole's%2Bfine%2Bpastry%2Bdowntown%2Bfargo%2Bfancy%2Bdesserts%2Bnorth%2Bdakota%2Bflyover%2Bstates%2Bmidwest%2Bamerica%2Bthings%2Bto%2Bdo%2Biced%2Blatte%2Bizze.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="750" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Do
you remember that one time when you went to Nichole’s Fine Pastry with Maddie
to celebrate your collective birthdays, and together you had a mango blackberry
tower and a coconut tower, plus a clementine Izze and an iced latte and two fancy chocolates that tasted weird? </span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAGYA5d7FdIsbJpTUBFBqcQiM3UHDqaiHFOGe8-Sr-zofvpn90HICIjfbnlJCj6CDjUGfATXPMswjKrcN8jPc8aBKuhHaEEbKbOoArYzq4ImohjQBQrehEu89KqpAqNL7w9cu4sckTKlC/s1600/paper+raindrops+nichole's%2Bfine%2Bpastry%2Bdesserts%2Bwith%2Bfriends.jpg" width="750" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XNNDHS5MkIglntpGO3_Ctv0KfMK1ep-xWaYetmYerceV60HvufK5gMTuWbBULZEQ_XzmDMrs4XneYjk1LymWtS6SHSjgaa9ihbz7hc307A2MiB3EXXLGXU1JioleU2zPJpoqqOFc33sh/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+mango+blackberry+tower+nichole's%2Bfine%2Bpastry%2Bdowntown%2Bfargo%2Bdessert%2Bfancy%2Bchocolate%2Bbirthday.jpg" width="750" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 32px;"> And then you walked around downtown Fargo looking for a bookstore and ended up walking past this random piano on the sidewalk. It was covered in bright colors and painted cats, and it said “Play this piano. Right meow,” and so you did. Why not. And you and Maddie took turns trying to remember tunes and messing up and playing the wrong chords and stumbling and fumbling while people walked by and glanced at you, and your hands kept shaking like they do when anyone is watching at all, but you were both grinning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> And then two highschool guys walked up and sat down on a bench nearby and declared that they were going to listen to you play for a while, and you both sort of got nervous and said you were done and were just leaving, but if they wanted to play anything they could. So then one of them started playing and was pretty good and had a cheeky smile and a big weird ring on his right hand and old friendly sandals on his feet, so you stuck around and watched <i>him</i><b> </b>instead of <i>him</i> watching <i>you</i>. And somehow none of you wanted to leave, so you just stayed. That’s all.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> And then – remember? – an adorable young couple sat down on the curb a few paces away, inconspicuous, but obviously listening interested, with body language that wanted to sidle up to the fun. And then another couple came up, and you asked if they knew any songs, so the guy, tall and hipster, navy blue short-sleeved shirt buttoned all the way up, sat down and played a quick song, and the couple on the curb stood up and came over, and they apparently knew the first couple because they bantered during the song while the rest of us smiled and then clapped. And then the hipster couple left with playful grins, and you – the core group consisting of you and Maddie and these two highschool guys – asked if the curb couple played, and the guy was all, “Yeah, sorta, a bit” and then he sat down and started playing and singing a musical number and absolutely blew you away, and you were like “’Yeah, sorta, a bit’ my <i>foot</i>!” And the girl, with blondish red hair that pulled back and up, and a dress with flowered skirt and striped top, she told you they were musical theater majors. And of course they were. The stage presence and the way they came to life when people were enamored with them. Which you certainly were. </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumC-mEsP70eQHWmQfGP9HY-01rKdAJTBaPcILU4WmxNDVv5_Q4RneR7wFvMlqUu_BJda9_3hGrVH6QvDnkE30iUobvi2HX2-IQ034vzwcCPNgsJugZWSP4yNifxts1S3Ep9fLWk8eTfdk/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+inna+playing+music+in+the+streets+brightly+painted+piano+outdoor+music+live+musical+theater+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumC-mEsP70eQHWmQfGP9HY-01rKdAJTBaPcILU4WmxNDVv5_Q4RneR7wFvMlqUu_BJda9_3hGrVH6QvDnkE30iUobvi2HX2-IQ034vzwcCPNgsJugZWSP4yNifxts1S3Ep9fLWk8eTfdk/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+inna+playing+music+in+the+streets+brightly+painted+piano+outdoor+music+live+musical+theater+kids.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumC-mEsP70eQHWmQfGP9HY-01rKdAJTBaPcILU4WmxNDVv5_Q4RneR7wFvMlqUu_BJda9_3hGrVH6QvDnkE30iUobvi2HX2-IQ034vzwcCPNgsJugZWSP4yNifxts1S3Ep9fLWk8eTfdk/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+inna+playing+music+in+the+streets+brightly+painted+piano+outdoor+music+live+musical+theater+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> And then remember how the girl took her turn? And she played and sang a song about her fat Maine Coon cat that she had written herself, while her big tortoiseshell glasses slid further down her cute nose the longer she played, and you and Maddie were just laughing with delight and looking at each other like<i> is this real life</i>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> And how the guy and the girl kept taking turns on the piano and making jokes and laughing with all of you, and everyone was just themselves – you could feel it – and you leaned your arm against the sticky bright purple paint on top of the piano and just listened to the musical numbers rolling out of them, as if it were a Broadway show just for you right there on the small Broadway of Fargo, as if the show and you were in the same personal bubble, not separated. And the guy, with his sideburns and hairy arms and the leather cuff on his wrist and his genuine smile – that five-year-senior at NDSU who was taking his “victory lap” as he said while chatting between songs – yeah, he was throwing his voice into the street and the people walking by would smile to themselves, or wander closer and then away, and sometimes they would stay.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 32px;"> There was such openness, remember that feeling? The group of curious friendly people with nothing better to do but stand around a piano all afternoon – a piano in the street that was just odd enough to spark interest, while still being homey and inviting. People who just really liked where they were. No need to leave.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> And you’d smile at strangers welcomingly, hoping they would join this circle of improbable strangers making music and incongruous joy. Why not? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;">Soon another lady came. Remember her? With her bright turquoise blazer and her scarf, her curly top hair and the bright red lipstick that only missed her mouth in a couple places? The one who seemed fine … until she started talking. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> The way she talked about <i>Maddie looking like Tinkerbell and that Maddie should try out for the new part. Or the orphans, the orphans something at Island Park at 7, and they’ll be teaching us about the thoughts of blue, different shades of blue, like your shirt. I’m going to NDSU for nano technology. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> -<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Oh wow</i>, musical guy interrupts. <i>A bit more complicated than musical theater! </i>And we all laugh. - </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> She smiles genuinely, oddly, her eyes crinkling softly like a grandma’s, but she’s young - maybe, can't quite tell - and then she keeps going on about things I don’t understand. To Maddie: <i>You must be part of that one weight loss program downtown. Oh, you’re a dancer? At Gaspers? Oh, Camria. I taught at Camria. I was considering being a flight attendant. I’m too depressed to play piano, I sold some CD’s once though. I play flute, but I can’t play piano now, I’m too depressed. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> And you felt a sort of concern, like she needed a hug, but then you realized that the music and joy around you was better than that, and maybe just what her confused mind needed. And then she left to go to the gym, except she forgot her membership card so she hoped they’d still let her in. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> And meanwhile the musical theater couple were still showering you with the best personal show ever, amidst the thrum of passing cars. And one of the high school boys kept jumping up, and going, <i>Oh man, look at that truck. Mmmph. That’s an awesome truck. That one there? Oh, that’s a piece of junk. But look at that one. Wow. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> And then Maddie looked at you, and, talking about the musical girl: <i>She reminds me of Maddie Gregor.</i> And the girl overheard and said, <i>Maddie Gregor!? I know her! I go to school with her in Wisconsin!</i> What. Maddie Gregor is in Scottland now! Of all the people. <i>Are you for real. </i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rV1Vddmccpy6wEg91cxrGkHJAwPDPULCCTkq9HKdyq3ryaZVIu1XN25T7AvtC2H8gzMyGnTHEQFPcUXq919f4cr4FasXwQ7anYIZAWSzgYaODmrrlPoiti6DLo4UZWXIQzwDuM7NUV37/s1600/paper+raindrops+downtown+gallery+fargo+north+dakota+broadway+friends+glasses+musical+theater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rV1Vddmccpy6wEg91cxrGkHJAwPDPULCCTkq9HKdyq3ryaZVIu1XN25T7AvtC2H8gzMyGnTHEQFPcUXq919f4cr4FasXwQ7anYIZAWSzgYaODmrrlPoiti6DLo4UZWXIQzwDuM7NUV37/s1600/paper+raindrops+downtown+gallery+fargo+north+dakota+broadway+friends+glasses+musical+theater.jpg" width="750" /></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> But then the musical theater two had to leave, and they did so waving and grinning and it felt like saying <i>See you later! </i>to friends. Almost like you should have been saying, <i>Let’s go to Rhombus Guys for some pizza later! </i>or something, instead of watching them leave your entire life, full and holding hands. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> And then it was you and the two highschool boys again. And the one sent the other to his truck – a good truck, presumably – to get his trumpet out. Because he just happened to have his trumpet along, go figure.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> And then he played around on the trumpet for a while. Remember that? And all the while you were becoming better friends, just by sharing that bizarre weird perfect happy day, genuinely comfortable in each other’s company without even knowing their names... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> And remember how that shirtless guy with the tats walked by, and the trumpet boy said, “Nice tattoos!” and the tat guy turned back around and started telling you how his tat wasn’t worth it, and it had some deep meaning behind it, and sure it was cool but the meaning wasn’t; he had spent years in jail, had seen three hundred people killed, he said, and his tattoo had someone holding a key to his jail – portrayed by bars on his arm – and there was a clock ticking on his arm, to show the wasted years. And also Minnesota Vikings were intertwined in the tattoo. Didn’t catch why. <i>But it’s not worth it man. I wouldn’t recommend it.</i> And he walked away. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> Trumpet boy looked at you and shrugged, making a <i>don’t know what that was all about</i> grinning face. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;">Meanwhile a scraggly guy on a motorized bicycle had pulled up. Shaggy hair, college aged, perhaps?, with big brown work boots and a guitar slung on his back.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> Somehow you started talking about braces. You hated having braces. Trumpet Boy never had any. But he throws a question out to Guitar Guy, including him in, <i>You ever have braces?</i> he says. Tight-lipped head-nod. <i>Still have them?</i> Asked with a mischievous lilt, because Guitar Guy still hadn’t broken a smile and you really couldn’t tell the answer. <i>Tight-lipped head-shake. </i>Hardly a smirk back. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> Ok then …</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You a music guy?” you ask, which he is obviously, hence the guitar, so Maddie and Trumpet Boy laugh, but you’re hoping Guitar Guy will join the jamming. He nods. Watches Trumpet Boy playing songs that you don’t recognize but are enjoying. And then he leaves. Too bad. Could have been fun. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> Remember how that trumpet sounded out across the streets of downtown, blaring between cars? Playing reveille. And some Taps – cut short, but still haunting. The Star Spangled Banner. Random lady shouting out the words as she passed. Trumpet Boy stopping and preparing himself cheerfully, ruefully, for the high notes, neck muscles popping. Then his eyes suddenly getting wide with apprehension, <i>you can’t get arrested for playing in public can you? </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>For what? Spreading happiness?? Like, ‘NO! TOO MUCH HAPPINESS!’ </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> He grins and keeps playing, and something about him reminds you of someone else you know. So you think what the heck and ask if he knows them too. His eyes widen. What?? Yes, yes he does! Mutual friends again, like Maddie Gregor and the theater kids. Small big world. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> So yeah, remember that day? The day when you were having so much fun you only remembered to take out your phone camera once during the entire musical jam session. When you spent hours playing and listening to music, being friends with people you didn’t know? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> And right before you had to leave, you shook hands with the two boys and finally learned their names.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> Trumpet Boy is Jordan. The other is Zach. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> Nice to meet you. Sideways grins. Hope we run into you again. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> And then you and Maddie remember your 90 minute parking with wide eyes and make a run for it, hoping you didn’t get a ticket, running – laughing – away from the strangest most perfect day, maybe never to see those people again, who knows? </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYPViIinMnLrrPsueRdhGkvmoYC-nYCNp8m4ivCenEqB0dHRTif6pxxpLiu4eeM-WIt5-Sk1RRBL7BaH0zxhX_1wy4cq-td21nAqzDjpVmJE3cncobYm3LQCCsjbjLaxFMtA9C3rllUXc/s1600/paper+raindrops+inna+and+maddie+downtown+fargo+birthday+party+strangers+people+humans+interesting+day+story+life+talking+to+people+in+the+streets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYPViIinMnLrrPsueRdhGkvmoYC-nYCNp8m4ivCenEqB0dHRTif6pxxpLiu4eeM-WIt5-Sk1RRBL7BaH0zxhX_1wy4cq-td21nAqzDjpVmJE3cncobYm3LQCCsjbjLaxFMtA9C3rllUXc/s1600/paper+raindrops+inna+and+maddie+downtown+fargo+birthday+party+strangers+people+humans+interesting+day+story+life+talking+to+people+in+the+streets.jpg" width="750" /></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> Such fullness from interacting with those people. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> Life is weird. But happy. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> And I guess sometimes it's okay to talk to strangers. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;">Best birthday party ever.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Update: I found the facebook page for this piano project! Click </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/1528020934096640/photos/a.1535799113318822.1073741827.1528020934096640/1538377859727614/?type=1&comment_id=1541734622725271&notif_t=comment_mention" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> to see a picture that one of the art gallery ladies took of us!</span></span></span></div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-K7840Qje9X8%2FU_ZzuI5zVII%2FAAAAAAAAFRA%2FCk6O75HTooI%2Fs1600%2Fpaper%252Braindrops%252Bblog%252Binna%252Bplaying%252Bmusic%252Bin%252Bthe%252Bstreets%252Bbrightly%252Bpainted%252Bpiano%252Boutdoor%252Bmusic%252Blive%252Bmusical%252Btheater%252Bkids.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumC-mEsP70eQHWmQfGP9HY-01rKdAJTBaPcILU4WmxNDVv5_Q4RneR7wFvMlqUu_BJda9_3hGrVH6QvDnkE30iUobvi2HX2-IQ034vzwcCPNgsJugZWSP4yNifxts1S3Ep9fLWk8eTfdk/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+inna+playing+music+in+the+streets+brightly+painted+piano+outdoor+music+live+musical+theater+kids.jpg" -->Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-47809481920911045592014-08-13T16:17:00.002-07:002014-08-13T18:20:37.875-07:00Big things be happeningThe last month has been absolutely cray. You know how things always seem to come in streaks? Like, how nothing happens and then it all happens at once?<br />
Yeah.<br />
Everything is happening at once.<br />
So much so that I have been fairly paralyzed by it. So much has happened, I have learned so much about myself, and I am so overloaded with inspiration and brilliant ideas, that I keep trying to blog and then I get overwhelmed and distracted and don't know where to start, so I sit around watching YouTube and being bored. <br />
<br />
Bored because of too much excitement? <br />
Yep. <br />
It's possible. <br />
<br />
The bursts of excitement are making me both exhausted and invigorated, to the point where normal life seems devastatingly boring and I just can't handle where I'm at anymore. It's the weirdest season of life right now, I can't quite explain the restlessness I'm feeling. It almost feels like these few big things are just God's way of priming me for more. Like the boredom in between the big things is making me so restless that I'd be willing to do just about anything, no matter how crazy. Like there's more than I can imagine right around the corner, and it's coming but I can't see it. And it's driving me bonkers because I don't know what to do. <br />
<br />
So I just gotta work on what's directly in front of me until I can see around that corner, I guess. So I am essentially forcing myself to write this blog post at gunpoint - more or less. ;)<br />
Just write about ONE of the recent big things, Inna. Just one. Come on. You can do it. Get 'er done! Be productive!<br />
<br />
Okay, okay already!<br />
Jeepers. <br />
<br />
Ahem.<br />
Big and massive and mind-boggling and inspiring and magical life-changing thing number one: <br />
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I'm an auntie now!!<br />
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Aka, my brother? He's a dad. O_O </div>
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Just look at him and his wife! They're <i>parents. </i>What even. </div>
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And the man of the hour himself: baby Jory, born July 28th. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43oafjiAFlsQOQl0vs47wzky1-mqJERhJhi-CQxFtjCBfwbgfV2EmtSvkp982JH4sxAfH7NFfN8MFSAC4MvuXOHIBIPe_unVIJLAAAYZfBJ2gshKsp5onmzRYBWQPabsfWyVC-pN6pYnc/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+new+baby+boy+stretch+newborn+sleeping+fist+arm+eyes+closed+tiny+child+kid+infant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43oafjiAFlsQOQl0vs47wzky1-mqJERhJhi-CQxFtjCBfwbgfV2EmtSvkp982JH4sxAfH7NFfN8MFSAC4MvuXOHIBIPe_unVIJLAAAYZfBJ2gshKsp5onmzRYBWQPabsfWyVC-pN6pYnc/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+new+baby+boy+stretch+newborn+sleeping+fist+arm+eyes+closed+tiny+child+kid+infant.jpg" width="750" /></a>Babies. I tell you what. They are some of the most common and the most mind-blowing things out there. There's nothing quite like holding a newborn to make you wonder weird and beautiful things.<br />
Like all those years that I have known my brother and his wife, with no little Jory. I know years worth of his parents that he will never know. And there was a time when <i>I </i>was that tiny new oblivious sleepy life, and there were aunts and uncles and grandparents who knew <em>my </em>parents before <em>I </em>was born, before they were a couple even! And like, who were they before me? They had entire lives.<br />
<br />
So there I am, just holding little Jory. He's so so so tiny. So light. And warm. He's like hugging a heating pad. And those tiny breaths. Quick and shallow, so thin - from those baby lungs - each one brand new, saying <em>I'm alive</em>. And this whole thing just seems so normal, so easy to accept. There wasn't a baby before, and now there is. Simple.<br />
Simple not simple.<br />
So simple as to be supernatural, so miraculous as to be normal - commonplace even.<br />
I just. <br />
Don't understand. <br />
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What will his favorite color be? Favorite animal, favorite book? Will he twirl his hair like his daddy? Who will he be, and what will he do, and what will he grow up to see of this world that I will be too old at the time to understand? This kid who we don't even really know but love automatically? This kid who we lived without just fine thank you, but who will now - thankfully overwhelmingly wonderfully - be a part of our lives and our stories ... <em>forever??</em><br />
<br />
So basically an entire new person exists and I'm an auntie and it's good and it's also just flat out weird - that's all it is, really - and everything about life right now is so normal and so magical that I think I'm gonna have a panic attack or die from boredom or excitement ... not sure. <br />
<br />
So yeah.<br />
That's a thing. Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-8892908449929783932014-06-24T12:44:00.001-07:002014-06-24T12:44:10.636-07:00Personalizing a tote bag!My Oma (grandma) gave me this funky tote bag for Christmas last year. Even though it looked cool as it was, I decided it could use a little personalization! <br />
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Here's what I came up with:<br />
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The first thing I did was to sew on some patches that I've been saving. I got the Nederland patch on our trip to the Netherlands a few years ago. I bought it at the Keukenhof gift-shop. The second patch is from my ballet studio; my teacher gave them to each of the students one year for Christmas. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_zx9JuOeA68_gRZRvkneuGOlcJZpa1OpdYC1mkK8h2QPcXGLrzWmErwZdvDmnNKGjigp0OG2bJmlf0vb0PQl3e-9YjiwzqPLGWK4SBeo1BwDXAlnat1GkRRiCnITT8oa94wng9_yigDa/s1600/paper+raindrops+patches+texture+cloth+color+tote+hippie+nederlands+netherlands+ballet+bottle+cap+key+chain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_zx9JuOeA68_gRZRvkneuGOlcJZpa1OpdYC1mkK8h2QPcXGLrzWmErwZdvDmnNKGjigp0OG2bJmlf0vb0PQl3e-9YjiwzqPLGWK4SBeo1BwDXAlnat1GkRRiCnITT8oa94wng9_yigDa/s1600/paper+raindrops+patches+texture+cloth+color+tote+hippie+nederlands+netherlands+ballet+bottle+cap+key+chain.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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Another idea was to glue a bottle-cap onto the button. The cap fit exactly over the existing button which was perfect!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPgivdhKD8rdGoT5k3Xe1PbNRemYH91pMbVt7h70sUXGhYdatNUP-UL9ZmgCQ98kYfntAhoMS7-CfC4tVKoHq9yRyvfcfZJmwtWkQWmX22tft8Sl1QkUU7r_I9t61X1_PiTtRiPwN2LWW/s1600/paper+raindrops+button+bottlecap+idea+update+project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPgivdhKD8rdGoT5k3Xe1PbNRemYH91pMbVt7h70sUXGhYdatNUP-UL9ZmgCQ98kYfntAhoMS7-CfC4tVKoHq9yRyvfcfZJmwtWkQWmX22tft8Sl1QkUU7r_I9t61X1_PiTtRiPwN2LWW/s1600/paper+raindrops+button+bottlecap+idea+update+project.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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The bottle-cap I used was one my oldest brother gave me. He had a bottle-cap collection when he was little, and he got this one in Indonesia - one of the places my family lived before I was born. </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fRXukO__Q78wFOMIbL1n1vz-nPTviRUZ0qwh5nAb3F9NJzBcYe_7tQJ659_FHsVhrDUYwQekbQqELy6a1b9xv0OXgn7nlXYCXeaR18xL76V2RumFj0h7Lbtn9U-kDDTpO0htqMe3H5MS/s1600/paper+raindrops+vintage+indonedian+tiger+bottle+cap+orange+gold+palm+tree+button+soda+pop.jpg" width="750" /></div>
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Also, I took off the original loop that hooked over the button and replaced it with this friendship bracelet my bestie made for me ages ago.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyg7_9Zp3PIyTtJHa-R7Rr3L1_xSUUa3iiX9obOiNBUg7VCtD8PXukr8_lQmgdagzNsOEkkfYE8Z7jzedvxFQZMF8Hui9N2Qsuu2hgNCUO_Jpib-XXk4IZv_d1uzBAe5uGP4yTgUe5MUC/s1600/paper+raindrops+new+uses+for+old+friendship+bracelets+button+hole+tote+bag+clasp+boho+repurpose+hippie+sack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyg7_9Zp3PIyTtJHa-R7Rr3L1_xSUUa3iiX9obOiNBUg7VCtD8PXukr8_lQmgdagzNsOEkkfYE8Z7jzedvxFQZMF8Hui9N2Qsuu2hgNCUO_Jpib-XXk4IZv_d1uzBAe5uGP4yTgUe5MUC/s1600/paper+raindrops+new+uses+for+old+friendship+bracelets+button+hole+tote+bag+clasp+boho+repurpose+hippie+sack.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVBV_d6GU1lsfbaE4kYo4BZ106rHNiIMFrMUV904DaaZP0IeVRq0pkZU1V9aKd04BMAwKQQTiXtjLhqMx6n_B40rwRoylrUf4w0Ek1z8gC8S0299D9M8tXcEvEQgl6D11JPmYkvxYXcUf/s1600/paper+raindrops+tote+bag+clasp+closing+closure+button+bottle+cap+updating+project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVBV_d6GU1lsfbaE4kYo4BZ106rHNiIMFrMUV904DaaZP0IeVRq0pkZU1V9aKd04BMAwKQQTiXtjLhqMx6n_B40rwRoylrUf4w0Ek1z8gC8S0299D9M8tXcEvEQgl6D11JPmYkvxYXcUf/s1600/paper+raindrops+tote+bag+clasp+closing+closure+button+bottle+cap+updating+project.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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Another thing I did was to add this chain and to clip all sorts of mementos onto it. There's a random coin that my brother gave me when I was little (I think it's from Estonia?); my half of a friendship necklace; dog tags from Joy, a dog I had when I was little; a clipping of ribbon from my last pair of Pointe shoes that I wore as Sleeping Beauty; and a chunk of rock covered in layers of spray paint. </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6hylv-ydLTJk5q0yIhWn08p8s7rns7DEAXrjX1x1WyHxrHxFOV0EvNG1tKvmbSwdfb2usrQbArX5B-o8fj1piZLLVinmkjDK30nNMYj72DWY3_aLYcglXilGadJqR2BOh2k0vOprnq8n/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+key+chain+ideas+coin+dog+dag+friendship+necklace+1+kroon+2003+eesti+vabariik+copy.jpg" width="750" /></div>
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When my brother went off to college years ago, there was a boulder on campus that people were allowed to spray paint. It was called The Rock. Original, I know. :) The Rock would be repainted quite frequently - decorated for events and who-knows-what. One time when my brother came home for a visit, he brought me this piece that had fallen off of it and showed almost an inch of spray paint layers! Probably the coolest piece of junk I've ever had. ;) </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rtSkjdE1Orwc2gCLhaZqMB355Dox7Rxgjrym9VlgvN07UOkpH1MMzxuxbk3uca7rcL8Xpw5BTZ-afB7GgQysNL_07ubY3dGRRUKOMWlKeJyi5_GR0uRQwSSOekVAppYSnOgVIJ_XdNcW/s1600/paper+raindrops+piece+of+the+rock+cedarville+univerciy+spray+paint+layers+vandalism.jpg" width="750" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDLAgwoDveb7mG-xIKYCl8s8R8VDjovMhU3q-w3gTIGNZXOb-q6n2fxyFsDbllaS_wm76HO18_yjfjgKyncNCRxB50kyqf97fNdS-8vt-pCQsBmjYnP6CS5MOPenfMioDZP7g8S1-DS8D/s1600/chunk+of+the+rock+cedarville+univercity+ohio+spray+paint+chip+unique+souvenier.jpg" width="750" /></div>
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I also added some pins to the strap of the bag. The alligator pin is from a set of two vintage scatter pins that belonged to my great grandma. I have both, but only attached one to the bag; I like to wear the other one sometimes. They're so quirky! </div>
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The other pin is one we got at my other <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/turningpro" target="_blank">brother's</a> first craft show. (He's a wood turner and sells wooden bowls, pens, jewelry, etc.) Plus, I thought "Creative Kid" was a pretty appropriate title for myself. ;) </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6GNNl3Rp5fGUcXspocAlmX9XmrUkrEyNVNjjC9Gc7LVQL71WxDi3l37gMv_UkwtkUZH4_RD2zQY8BcOq7rehpYTzQIUzcn2uyRVJ8MRRXhVRIaYP1bgGRYj_QtOcVbyyvA9HFurELGOl/s1600/paper+raindrosp+creative+kid+pin+orange+vintage+aligator+sweater+pin+rose+bush.jpg" width="750" /></div>
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And finally, one of my favorite changes that I made to this bag was the Shakespeare quote I embroidered on the strap. <br />
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"And though she be but little, she is fierce." </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpdnF1-S8Swy0w2BldKLL7RDZg1vuCsbE-1BB3BQSATxfZxbVbZjdK8mSFTG-wuSy4DHWJjthnQgDdTlJDX9c2EzbShNpVYghPaN082cyFSqLy7-OTLnkAxlE9uns5pjT-9DpqzMblIep/s1600/paper+raindrops+shakespeare+quote+embroidered+on+bag+purse+hippie+boho+style+rose+bush+and+though+she+be+but+little,+she+is+fierce.jpg" width="750" /></div>
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This is one of my favorite quotes; I like to think it describes me. ;) </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggedddZhQJwdiKfpBOI6BvJbwQfn-vb6tDP_HwaUXVaA6yrHnDZXLuiaIwXubQPrRdFKTy4DAjy4fRvI5RfLOCJO9Ejib_0gLgPb3kGC9Hnboh6k-nBXgz8AijJdku2isGpI21N6fAU2PM/s1600/paper+raindrops+satchel+update+rose+bush+golden+hour+sunflare+bamboo+fence.jpg" width="750" /></div>
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I love that my tote is full of stories now. Some history of the lives that led up to mine, stories of people I care about, places I've been, things I've done, memories made. It kinda makes it feel like I'm carrying around a piece of art, or a library, or a mini-museum. <br />
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Do you think you'd ever want to personalize a bag like this?Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-17192516902221972852014-06-12T12:07:00.002-07:002014-06-12T12:09:18.589-07:00Spicing up friendship bracelets!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Welp, it's that time of year again. Summer and friendship bracelets just go together. Don't question it. It's just the way it is. </div>
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So here are a few ideas to add some pizzazz to the traditional friendship bracelet! </div>
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1. Fishtail braid it out, yo! Fishtail braids are quick and easy and make really cool looking bracelets. Especially if you go a bit mental and choose every color ever...</div>
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CHOOSE <i>ALL</i> THE COLORS!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJt8gVwtqwMWJO3MQY3Hg2Bf9-Wk3tIHDr1sW8QpEi0WI5VG3ADvi4EWoox-aOvPqOGROpVlbOpbO65kDDeqH8pRMMKARKitx85c7tszs3fnFnwVZj-04X1o7oHOvuUys1mTZB2SvOwsj/s1600/making+a+fishtail+braid+friendship+bracelet+teenage+girl+ideas+project+embroidery+floss+uses+colorful+color+scheme+summer+trends+boho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJt8gVwtqwMWJO3MQY3Hg2Bf9-Wk3tIHDr1sW8QpEi0WI5VG3ADvi4EWoox-aOvPqOGROpVlbOpbO65kDDeqH8pRMMKARKitx85c7tszs3fnFnwVZj-04X1o7oHOvuUys1mTZB2SvOwsj/s1600/making+a+fishtail+braid+friendship+bracelet+teenage+girl+ideas+project+embroidery+floss+uses+colorful+color+scheme+summer+trends+boho.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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Ahem.</div>
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2. Finish bracelets with ribbon clamps and a piece of chain instead of the normal knots! This gives it a really clean and modern look. I got this package at Hobby Lobby for about 3 or 4 dollars. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AV2QdaJmWdwHz6L8xWmvk2m42Jvzzz559fDbkrz9g8IyJMo1SAOgb8UH7BGu1gNkPqrPAkrH3XvIki7l9L-F4zJRsrFpJXjdtjIXqDyNCAmsLMCGIC45ztbniWCQPr71qAw8whakIEpq/s1600/ribbon+clamps+clasps+metal+clips+jewelry+making+finishing+friendship+bracelet+ideas+tie+off+ending.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AV2QdaJmWdwHz6L8xWmvk2m42Jvzzz559fDbkrz9g8IyJMo1SAOgb8UH7BGu1gNkPqrPAkrH3XvIki7l9L-F4zJRsrFpJXjdtjIXqDyNCAmsLMCGIC45ztbniWCQPr71qAw8whakIEpq/s1600/ribbon+clamps+clasps+metal+clips+jewelry+making+finishing+friendship+bracelet+ideas+tie+off+ending.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5M4JmGw6y2k0xZ5FejNnawyXK9MqSB_KMRenNLJlyMw9zCIwfVWXMTQVq4lfuqOyBkouSUD4j90gDOCNA7sE6ln801OfZT8z_BcdAsjHu7B88Hz1m-szVKThQ8io6T85MZ8xKAQdaqOsk/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+teenage+girl+projects+ribbon+clamp+bracelet+clasp+metal+teeth+jewelry+making.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5M4JmGw6y2k0xZ5FejNnawyXK9MqSB_KMRenNLJlyMw9zCIwfVWXMTQVq4lfuqOyBkouSUD4j90gDOCNA7sE6ln801OfZT8z_BcdAsjHu7B88Hz1m-szVKThQ8io6T85MZ8xKAQdaqOsk/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+teenage+girl+projects+ribbon+clamp+bracelet+clasp+metal+teeth+jewelry+making.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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These clamps are really easy to use. I cut my bracelet about an inch and a half shorter than I normally would (to leave room for the chain) and dabbed a bit of glue on the end to keep it from unbraiding.<br />
Unbraiding? ... Unbraiding.<br />
Totally a word. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZT-cJgpnK2iLT6CbgCrTsZF6eF_aNOqvqj3Wp2dTi7S7Eoe1kmQJrgSAdotQzKqamnpIFXQxjAUj9fMDE1KRacPMAai8THFx6MH-zQqHXOe6C8b4OgCoy_m50h3QuRN6R6CEwRQoHCny/s1600/fishtail+braid+bracelet+making+glue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZT-cJgpnK2iLT6CbgCrTsZF6eF_aNOqvqj3Wp2dTi7S7Eoe1kmQJrgSAdotQzKqamnpIFXQxjAUj9fMDE1KRacPMAai8THFx6MH-zQqHXOe6C8b4OgCoy_m50h3QuRN6R6CEwRQoHCny/s1600/fishtail+braid+bracelet+making+glue.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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Then I put the clamp over the end, made sure all the threads were tucked in, and squeezed it shut with a pliers. Look at me, all using tools and stuff. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_xl6ueT5MKBZiRGm0DTkK1tN6TA0EaQvdH8opRZcpGA_s_y9nFtHN-LetkUbgwKLu1Euo_uVo4dk4lqB2wjSUspinT5nfqfDPNyh_eEAhBlV8iIcykrFAhv4_NlUSd9aSPV1fhKPJPnX/s1600/paper+raindrops+ribbon+clamp+metal+clip+friendship+bracelet+finisher+ways+to+finish+bracelets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_xl6ueT5MKBZiRGm0DTkK1tN6TA0EaQvdH8opRZcpGA_s_y9nFtHN-LetkUbgwKLu1Euo_uVo4dk4lqB2wjSUspinT5nfqfDPNyh_eEAhBlV8iIcykrFAhv4_NlUSd9aSPV1fhKPJPnX/s1600/paper+raindrops+ribbon+clamp+metal+clip+friendship+bracelet+finisher+ways+to+finish+bracelets.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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Then I attached some chain and a clasp, and wa-la! Cool, right? </div>
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3. Use yarn instead of embroidery floss! This gives a nice chunky look. Making a thick cuff out of yarn is infinitely faster than trying to do it with millions of tiny threads. (Infinitely? Millions? I never exaggerate.)</div>
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4. Combine friendship bracelet patterns, or try splitting off into different sections ... or both! I started out working all the way across and then divided the yarn as if I was working on two different bracelets, switching patterns at the same time. </div>
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Tip: Use a toothpick to make sure all the threads are inside the clamps before closing them, and to apply any extra glue that is necessary. </div>
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Le finished bracelets:</div>
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Pretty snazzy, huh? :) </div>
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What's your favorite go-to summer project? </div>
Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-9893229430433521462014-06-10T08:09:00.000-07:002014-06-10T10:37:02.990-07:00Drawing my first comic strip! :: The Introvert's Legal Loophole <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I was faced with a question about my quietness this week, my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVUbeUWsD3mnkhsSmYy7ktw" target="_blank">sister</a> came up with this genius answer for me to use. I laughed SO hard. I knew I had to record it somehow, so I decided to try my hand at comic strip drawing! </div>
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Well done, sis. Just ... well done. </div>
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_____</div>
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Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-9107229492507688462014-06-08T12:07:00.000-07:002014-06-08T14:59:05.783-07:00Drawings :: they just are <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Life is so complicated that my brain has short-circuited.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">After months of being overwhelmed with school and work and ballet rehearsals, I finally graduated. Which means maybe I'll get back into the blogging zone? Hopefully? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">It's strange, this growing up business.
This age of change. Watching everyone and everything around me change, and not understanding anything one bit at all. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; text-indent: 0.5in;">One chapter
closed off. Beyond reach. One chapter ... not yet opened. Beyond reach. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">A floating
existence. Restlessness. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">Pacing happens. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">Long walks - no
destination. Just trying to figure out <i>life</i>. No words in my brain, yet thinking constantly. A feeling of
prayers unsaid simmering inside while I power-walk my frustrations out until
the blisters come,</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New";">and then
further. </span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And it's like I'm processing a million things at once until I can't think anymore.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And that's just it. It's a process. I know it will come. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But, dang son, I'm driving myself bananas! (And my family - sorry, Mom. :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I finally just needed a space where I could tune out all the bigness - all the life changes that are coming, have come. The things that overwhelm me and catch me off-guard until I can't breathe right. I needed something small that I could wrap my head around. I needed little bits of uncomplicated curiosity and ... ease. And a place to JUST STOP OVERTHINKING EVERYTHING ALREADY. Geez. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So I started a new series in my sketchbook. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Yes. <i>All that</i> just to say I drew some pictures. :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Quick rough sketches of real-life things that caught my interest. Easy color. A few simple words. Poetic, funny, normal. Whatever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I refuse to overthink them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">They just are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhmIGX7RQ0XFIrS35zwLXXUI9AEAQj2Su1IL0-l4YQy7EzPD5qbDHQclic64McrM83u6jCjtWKOMIf3YQZD_JKEXWllI8Dj924eFM6i8pZVNosIFiiJL5b-WB43rJPFctYxXmSvdr4BCp/s1600/IMG_0005+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhmIGX7RQ0XFIrS35zwLXXUI9AEAQj2Su1IL0-l4YQy7EzPD5qbDHQclic64McrM83u6jCjtWKOMIf3YQZD_JKEXWllI8Dj924eFM6i8pZVNosIFiiJL5b-WB43rJPFctYxXmSvdr4BCp/s1600/IMG_0005+copy.jpg" height="800" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Words I texted to a friend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpx44XefqpDE1x4q6uBlOykxWuP1zzFJrypl3qT_h7QaohZhnFBWGgTNhlTzErc7b31UWSM3CLi7MRTbezhUmfLL0RDvqaC0U3GJFWSP2O4suSSXqI6gFmmK6jfupJGCUXq78JO3aXrHh0/s1600/IMG_0002+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpx44XefqpDE1x4q6uBlOykxWuP1zzFJrypl3qT_h7QaohZhnFBWGgTNhlTzErc7b31UWSM3CLi7MRTbezhUmfLL0RDvqaC0U3GJFWSP2O4suSSXqI6gFmmK6jfupJGCUXq78JO3aXrHh0/s1600/IMG_0002+copy.jpg" height="800" style="cursor: move;" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sitting in the backyard watching the birds. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0VOq2Kb6EoO7pCDxx0YZXiaEUGSlI6p7ZMzwAC7RwYYRCMWQNJvJWHsY8VgjQxjMvjirq1rn0F5PAXw3tvcpAHrmZZ-nQydk4eD7H5uhO-XGdb-7UfGZnQcq8v0uhdO-Z6enRSYDw91A/s1600/IMG_0001+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0VOq2Kb6EoO7pCDxx0YZXiaEUGSlI6p7ZMzwAC7RwYYRCMWQNJvJWHsY8VgjQxjMvjirq1rn0F5PAXw3tvcpAHrmZZ-nQydk4eD7H5uhO-XGdb-7UfGZnQcq8v0uhdO-Z6enRSYDw91A/s1600/IMG_0001+copy.jpg" height="800" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my senior ballet recital.<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3aA33djo331qIDuX6Yipb0AQs8Z3OBAMQbsjvxmFAQ40vAcGBk5WGeBMODX5UUz-ZqX8D6cH14AOTiDsqwZ7aRTlieRBlJFimpyDi_nxOwzzdX8ai13BfeDll_6QsaAeBdVVuhUrPqX8/s1600/IMG_0003-2+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3aA33djo331qIDuX6Yipb0AQs8Z3OBAMQbsjvxmFAQ40vAcGBk5WGeBMODX5UUz-ZqX8D6cH14AOTiDsqwZ7aRTlieRBlJFimpyDi_nxOwzzdX8ai13BfeDll_6QsaAeBdVVuhUrPqX8/s1600/IMG_0003-2+sm.jpg" height="800" style="cursor: move;" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Picking dandelions with a friend. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHXJVMPrj5WnOGWLis4RYBuQmqwSCnkJEzRVl3HrEW_sCBa8Xae_bR0OxXrhAEZ4YfDNLMwmUxf9MgKVI4ueWKEo5wo8vzf-tf3LsC0_Tv1pVf86P0UguzAHFII2oKzFR2TCqgpYCwst1/s1600/IMG_0004-2+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHXJVMPrj5WnOGWLis4RYBuQmqwSCnkJEzRVl3HrEW_sCBa8Xae_bR0OxXrhAEZ4YfDNLMwmUxf9MgKVI4ueWKEo5wo8vzf-tf3LsC0_Tv1pVf86P0UguzAHFII2oKzFR2TCqgpYCwst1/s1600/IMG_0004-2+sm.jpg" height="800" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Self explanatory. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Overall - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Life is beautiful.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Complicated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Simple.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And very very weird.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Amen. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Hello lovely people.<br />
Long time, no see!<br />
To be honest, I have been feeling entirely burnt out lately, and my creativity and my words have all gone ... someplace else. I'm being swamped with school and work and other commitments, and simply don't have the brain space to do much besides survive. But I have recently gotten a lot of sweet comments from you guys, either here or on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/innapins/" target="_blank">pinterest</a>, saying that you have missed my posts, or that my posts inspire you, etc.<br />
<br />
And y'know ... that really encouraged me.<br />
<br />
So right now I'm just gonna dip into my sketchbook from earlier this year and post two Dear Person letters that I haven't posted before. I guess you could say I was saving them for a rainy day - and this is definitely one of those! (It's been cold and rainy ALL day.)<br />
<br />
I'm just sort of throwing this up here to say thank you for your kind words, and to let you know that I miss blogging, and that I am hoping and planning to start more consistent posts again once school lets out in about three weeks.<br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
So here ya go! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
____</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Seen at open ice skating this winter: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNtDGtMKOm84wx_fdh5PyM3jQ45cH41mBVhGJw9HyQY20Jel0k8OFyofcB74Uk942C4m5ZmxhKrnaPFij7Yhj1iFY13tgK2L6NQZTom2laI1S6oyB7-5rSAsnFZvGJOCh_DqHET1JEFBj/s1600/unnamed2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNtDGtMKOm84wx_fdh5PyM3jQ45cH41mBVhGJw9HyQY20Jel0k8OFyofcB74Uk942C4m5ZmxhKrnaPFij7Yhj1iFY13tgK2L6NQZTom2laI1S6oyB7-5rSAsnFZvGJOCh_DqHET1JEFBj/s1600/unnamed2+copy.jpg" height="638" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_____</div>
<br />
Seen on a walk with our friends on the first really nice day of spring:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXu2BVSRQNPqGprBERYcgZgYPKwhxsPzQctoygWxsHP8UV7aZO5R-6rFhum1bvWKcq5a07fTQypQyIvara_k-zxQyAJXEHInaLGzK74FBvxf_6v4B60Cv7-Py0bJnA2dvP2b6pmYbNFQa/s1600/unnamed-2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXu2BVSRQNPqGprBERYcgZgYPKwhxsPzQctoygWxsHP8UV7aZO5R-6rFhum1bvWKcq5a07fTQypQyIvara_k-zxQyAJXEHInaLGzK74FBvxf_6v4B60Cv7-Py0bJnA2dvP2b6pmYbNFQa/s1600/unnamed-2+copy.jpg" height="638" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Funny side-story: about two weeks after seeing this dude, I was out biking with my sister. There was a guy walking down the street in a very stylish cardigan, and after one glance at him I whispered, "Hipster!" to my sis. She glanced over her shoulder and said, "Hey, it's your raccoon friend!" I took another look, and there was indeed a raccoon tail hanging off his pants! It was the same guy! :D<br />
Fyi, I personally like hipster style. I just thought it was hilarious that this guy exuded *<i>so much* </i>hipster that it was the first word that came to mind both times I saw him! It's actually quite remarkable. ;)<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_____</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, that's all I've got for you at the moment. Thanks again for your kind words, and for still reading my blog even when I don't have the mental capacity to keep it updated consistently! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You guys are the best.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">:: view all Dear Person letters <a href="http://paperraindrops.blogspot.com/search/label/Dear%20Person" target="_blank">here</a> ::</span></div>
</div>
Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-28288997569821154572014-02-04T12:50:00.000-08:002014-06-08T15:01:58.508-07:00Timey-Wimey Book Binding Project and Art Journal Idea! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What do time travel, art journals, brown paper, book binding, Dr. Who, embroidery, polaroids, Star Trek and sealing wax have in common? </div>
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<br /></div>
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My Timey-Wimey Journal project! </div>
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Duh.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbLs2EQ_EWih1ido_vkyqw5UcBGmxwzaDmb3MhJ-QRbpZQC3Qh6GFUyZD9Ym5qQeFAqkD7uNOd5PrhrWisjDYCGOY8R_MbQc0qMUIjiiDKr1qnTGIoLVuOiyH0gnJYz5MpsgXfvQrA0nX/s1600/blog+timey+wimey+TARDIS+blue+journal+River+Song+writing+to+future+self+time+capsule+ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbLs2EQ_EWih1ido_vkyqw5UcBGmxwzaDmb3MhJ-QRbpZQC3Qh6GFUyZD9Ym5qQeFAqkD7uNOd5PrhrWisjDYCGOY8R_MbQc0qMUIjiiDKr1qnTGIoLVuOiyH0gnJYz5MpsgXfvQrA0nX/s1600/blog+timey+wimey+TARDIS+blue+journal+River+Song+writing+to+future+self+time+capsule+ideas.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
...<br />
No idea what that means?<br />
Hmmm.<br />
Guess I'll have to enlighten you.<br />
<br />
Sometime last year I got a positively brilliant idea. I was inspired by Dr. Who and decided to make a journal somewhat like River Song's. (For you non-Whovians out there: the Doctor and River are both time travelers, and River keeps a journal so when they run into each other they will know where they're at in each other's stories and River won't give spoilers about the Doctor's future, etc. The show is also where I got the phrase "Timey-Wimey" ... it's from a famous Dr. Who quote.)<br />
<br />
So basically, thinking about time travel journals eventually led me to this idea. I decided it would be AWESOME to write to my future self, leave some blank pages, and then seal the book for ten years. The idea is that when I open the book, I will fill in the blank pages with responses to what my past self wrote. Like an interactive time capsule, y'know? A journal between my now-self and my then-self.<br />
Yus.<br />
<br />
But I couldn't use just any common journal for this brilliance, so I decided to bind my own! This is much different from my <a href="http://www.paperraindrops.blogspot.com/2013/02/finished-art-journal-book-binding-diy.html" target="_blank">last book binding escapade</a> because I used a real tutorial this time instead of just making up random goop as I went along. ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0GX2F66Vd7Zf53iuToy0h7uw1VcU0Gq5pm2kcmcdtm2Hym42snFNC5I9gf6il6fxgO80wfOXdRPpSkDDmjNLn1jAnWKEkdiWXjs_cFKvWW4krPyEfFs1s1PeEi3q9GI8-RIB0sOD0w4Y/s1600/book+binding+art+journal+tutorial+thread+futuristic+nerdy+journal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0GX2F66Vd7Zf53iuToy0h7uw1VcU0Gq5pm2kcmcdtm2Hym42snFNC5I9gf6il6fxgO80wfOXdRPpSkDDmjNLn1jAnWKEkdiWXjs_cFKvWW4krPyEfFs1s1PeEi3q9GI8-RIB0sOD0w4Y/s1600/book+binding+art+journal+tutorial+thread+futuristic+nerdy+journal.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGQ5P8QVHSg" target="_blank">this</a> awesome super-easy-to-follow tutorial up until about the 6:20 mark in the video, after which I guess I did end up doing my own thing, now that I come to think of it. Apparently I can't get away from making up random goop after all. :-/<br />
<br />
Anyways, I wanted my book to be TARDIS blue like River's, so I went to a thrift store and found an old bright blue book to tear apart. I cut off the front and back covers and part of the binding. I used a few strips from the original spine and covered two small sections of my binding for reinforcement. I didn't want to cover the whole edge though because I was impressed with my binding skillz and wanted to show it off. ;) After that, I simply glued the covers to the first and last page of my book, on top of the spine reinforcements. Just gluing them on worked really well, actually, because I had used super thick paper!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsqr299CYzN50RQmZMMdSD-QCfiiKIdMerAxIOjROH_gDEVgD-Wzk4yjS6hB-d3Qt4ghM88rS3YnhS7IYUoeeuXWbigax6yp7yEANl_AJpbSxSfO6NxdbuCViI9pocf1JylcyERAhYq98/s1600/handmade+journal+book+tardis+blue+project+idea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsqr299CYzN50RQmZMMdSD-QCfiiKIdMerAxIOjROH_gDEVgD-Wzk4yjS6hB-d3Qt4ghM88rS3YnhS7IYUoeeuXWbigax6yp7yEANl_AJpbSxSfO6NxdbuCViI9pocf1JylcyERAhYq98/s1600/handmade+journal+book+tardis+blue+project+idea.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BYFY2vEbsO3ugiKPCRKYSkYFNmeukWvp5EDu53P1v_I_g1QGGyQeOr45aWILicAT4r2W0DY_zGEUSN_G2z6uQCG1SKOm7n8LtWP5_qI7BytRjxNsblblS7l6FFt7188yqplr_gKn_HhL/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+book+binding+journal+art+project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BYFY2vEbsO3ugiKPCRKYSkYFNmeukWvp5EDu53P1v_I_g1QGGyQeOr45aWILicAT4r2W0DY_zGEUSN_G2z6uQCG1SKOm7n8LtWP5_qI7BytRjxNsblblS7l6FFt7188yqplr_gKn_HhL/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+book+binding+journal+art+project.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I like the texture of the cover. The squares remind me of the doors on the TARDIS!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlCSWV_awrqEPOOjCakG5VA9G8y3AjbjxOhnIjfwgp13YC_1pwcLDtD0Q-q44lfa-D3Os3ZoFqDi6D2HmKalgJx2NWqvdCJkwpcX6lJg6Jufwwyj7lxJTM05byelRnWA5SKAFZAaofqyS/s1600/paper+raindrops+tardis+blue+doctor+who+journal+time+travel+book+binding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlCSWV_awrqEPOOjCakG5VA9G8y3AjbjxOhnIjfwgp13YC_1pwcLDtD0Q-q44lfa-D3Os3ZoFqDi6D2HmKalgJx2NWqvdCJkwpcX6lJg6Jufwwyj7lxJTM05byelRnWA5SKAFZAaofqyS/s1600/paper+raindrops+tardis+blue+doctor+who+journal+time+travel+book+binding.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then on to filling the inside with time traveling goodness. Writing to my future self really sparked my imagination for some reason! (As you can see from the polaroid, this was before I got my <a href="http://www.paperraindrops.blogspot.com/2013/08/pixie-cut.html" target="_blank">pixie cut</a> ... I've been working on this book for a long time, I guess. Oh, and <a href="http://www.paperraindrops.blogspot.com/2013/01/polaroid-stoires.html" target="_blank">this</a> is the camera I used.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_uklzy8ze6b5dGsFPuXJQUiCH19QkWp_hwGXWhQT05cmCwqsMafrlqsyanwBYNLCXV_G-slNKV1TmH33EStT9xJWhEmL-0dx1Ztb_p1Prt5botLTpMfqEs_vFcb35GyCP1J20YlWCFhW/s1600/dear+future+self+time+capsule+art+journal+idea+project+book+binding+brown+paper+polaroid+washi+tape+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_uklzy8ze6b5dGsFPuXJQUiCH19QkWp_hwGXWhQT05cmCwqsMafrlqsyanwBYNLCXV_G-slNKV1TmH33EStT9xJWhEmL-0dx1Ztb_p1Prt5botLTpMfqEs_vFcb35GyCP1J20YlWCFhW/s1600/dear+future+self+time+capsule+art+journal+idea+project+book+binding+brown+paper+polaroid+washi+tape+copy.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
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After the intro page, the first thing I did in my journal was to put myself into context for my future self. I wrote down how old I was, where I was living, what I was doing, what my family was doing, etc. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4e41NqvFLqcnzyg_2vtbRdgdaEjW9IHVSJ4Z1vFLmKIgHiFP8kkyAd7wSx81FcaX0o_cUryCamH_ykRQbgEO3d1YNIsf4EPoJihqyl8KB9pXsJLthq84fQMVnWOvy69dEeIgvGVUbl_8I/s1600/you+are+here+symbol+map+journal+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4e41NqvFLqcnzyg_2vtbRdgdaEjW9IHVSJ4Z1vFLmKIgHiFP8kkyAd7wSx81FcaX0o_cUryCamH_ykRQbgEO3d1YNIsf4EPoJihqyl8KB9pXsJLthq84fQMVnWOvy69dEeIgvGVUbl_8I/s1600/you+are+here+symbol+map+journal+art.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I wrote a bit about where I was at, just in ... <i>life. </i>Where my thoughts and emotions were, that sort of thing. The chameleon is in reference to how I was at a point in life where I was exploring different personalities and always morphing and blending into situations to try out different versions of self during the process of growing up. More about that towards the end of <a href="http://www.paperraindrops.blogspot.com/2013/09/let-us-take-adventures.html" target="_blank">this</a> post if you're interested.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnlN3R9Q3fZ1RrFuTe4h61X-_9pOfNU5W1yIklH5tzzxu0RRmJFwhq73-KLPho7gmezZT88CZpFkCZQyehiHUlaII8ABMGnxgQcCiI4obYzGthh3P0BAsQvl4hQr9KvGxBYiFcvtxmmkw/s1600/paper+raindrops+chameleon+drawing+color+brown+paper+art+journal+polaroid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnlN3R9Q3fZ1RrFuTe4h61X-_9pOfNU5W1yIklH5tzzxu0RRmJFwhq73-KLPho7gmezZT88CZpFkCZQyehiHUlaII8ABMGnxgQcCiI4obYzGthh3P0BAsQvl4hQr9KvGxBYiFcvtxmmkw/s1600/paper+raindrops+chameleon+drawing+color+brown+paper+art+journal+polaroid.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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The next one is one of my favorite pages, and it made me reaaallly fall in love with my choice of using brown paper. The thing I love most about drawing on brown paper is that you can really <i>use</i> <i>white </i>instead of just negative space. White becomes an actual color that really pops and adds such dimension! If you've never tried brown paper, I highly suggest it.</div>
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(For this doodle I taped a square with washi tape, filled in the space around it, and then pulled off the tape; I thought the clean edges made a cool look. It's especially prominent in the top left corner!) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakyWit_hz7l70Mc4wg4NaGizrnXWz4KAK96JinQBsbl8alBDMhQYuJDFGrFnrzSwlczTP1cdp99ZhPRODrY93RTtknOo3Qs3WV6PZJH-j-PnsaIk2h5fRHvIHe1SPSJ1T933NTpAhnViL/s1600/dreams+writing+travel+art+journal+brown+paper+book+binding+white+black+color+pencil+pattern+abstract.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakyWit_hz7l70Mc4wg4NaGizrnXWz4KAK96JinQBsbl8alBDMhQYuJDFGrFnrzSwlczTP1cdp99ZhPRODrY93RTtknOo3Qs3WV6PZJH-j-PnsaIk2h5fRHvIHe1SPSJ1T933NTpAhnViL/s1600/dreams+writing+travel+art+journal+brown+paper+book+binding+white+black+color+pencil+pattern+abstract.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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And of course I had to include one of my favorite Dr. Who quotes! (Written in silver sharpie.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IQQyyhn_FlpPX2la5Urk5VRwNV5rccNqbZSJHwbr6S1g0WFPdreGIXzmMetHNVmnk5rTZNyYQxuffhCD0X3RxGDply1-UbFC43YUJSCbye4P-90IMAVWZzMX1y7eU2VWDpdc1fNlTDYa/s1600/dr+doctor+who+matt+smith+quote+eleventh+doctor's+last+words+i+will+always+remember+when+the+doctor+was+me+future+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IQQyyhn_FlpPX2la5Urk5VRwNV5rccNqbZSJHwbr6S1g0WFPdreGIXzmMetHNVmnk5rTZNyYQxuffhCD0X3RxGDply1-UbFC43YUJSCbye4P-90IMAVWZzMX1y7eU2VWDpdc1fNlTDYa/s1600/dr+doctor+who+matt+smith+quote+eleventh+doctor's+last+words+i+will+always+remember+when+the+doctor+was+me+future+time.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>We all change ... when you think about it. We're all different people all through our lives. And that's okay, that's good. You've got to keep moving, so long as you remember all the people that you used to be. I will not forget one line of this. Not one day. I swear. I will always remember when the Doctor was me.</i></div>
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This quote made me realize that remembering who I have been and being okay with changing and becoming someone new is kind of the whole point of this journal, and I think that's really cool. <3</div>
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I had fun throwing in some craziness too. Like predicting the futures of my family members and friends, and then leaving a page for my future self to fill in if I was right or not. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rssedxRChzl-U2eUkfRFYeAy8Aq6r3Ayle-eZgarOUm5exGiST1-TruhokUs8nMthyphenhyphenxgiR6JBOe1WM68cuHfRUvUMS4hDIJysGOnncp7kfgsZsVNqwr6-QU_ahkR_dUSyY9lCvqymccf/s1600/timey+wimey+journal+predictions+future+idea+write+to+self.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rssedxRChzl-U2eUkfRFYeAy8Aq6r3Ayle-eZgarOUm5exGiST1-TruhokUs8nMthyphenhyphenxgiR6JBOe1WM68cuHfRUvUMS4hDIJysGOnncp7kfgsZsVNqwr6-QU_ahkR_dUSyY9lCvqymccf/s1600/timey+wimey+journal+predictions+future+idea+write+to+self.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am just so fascinated by the idea of life and how we can look back all we want, but we can never look forward. All the mysteries our lives hold for us that we won't know until we've lived them. It's so strange, and so intriguing. </div>
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I found some lyrics that I fell in love with. Personally, I don't really enjoy this style of music, but the words are beautiful so I had to include them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNg-gu7RlNZNn0XQCDmD2SvqcDfbRGmryI3HMIlgTtEclTD1Ms1yZ4tMD01jJcsDFsf_SvjdPNeclUszJb6xPjcQwAeIkyLkJ8G6N256IivrY30yKxjlGoghb7blysVhcUklosuH4ApXMM/s1600/paper+raindrops+art+journal+writing+handmade+book+future+time+capsule+idea+project+handwriting+script.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNg-gu7RlNZNn0XQCDmD2SvqcDfbRGmryI3HMIlgTtEclTD1Ms1yZ4tMD01jJcsDFsf_SvjdPNeclUszJb6xPjcQwAeIkyLkJ8G6N256IivrY30yKxjlGoghb7blysVhcUklosuH4ApXMM/s1600/paper+raindrops+art+journal+writing+handmade+book+future+time+capsule+idea+project+handwriting+script.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></i></span></span></i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
From where I'm standing</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Lord it's so hard for me to see</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Where this is going</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">And where You're leading me</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">I wish I knew how</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">All my fears and all my questions</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Are gonna play out</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">In a world I can't control</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">From where You're standing</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Lord, You see a grand design</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">That You imagined</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">When You breathed me into life</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">And all the chaos</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Comes together in Your hands</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Like a masterpiece</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Of Your picture perfect plan</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">When I'm lost in the mystery</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">To You my future is a memory</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Cause You're already there</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">You're already there</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Standing at the end of my life</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Waiting on the other side</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">And You're already there</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">You're already there</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">One day I'll stand before You</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">And look back on the life I've lived</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">I can't wait to enjoy the view</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">And see how all the pieces fit</span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">One day I'll stand before You</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">And look back on the life I've lived</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Cause You're already there</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">You're already there</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">When I'm lost in the mystery</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">To You my future is a memory</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Cause You're already there</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">You're already there</span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">(Pieces of <i>Already There</i>, by Casting Crowns) </span></span><br />
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Aaaaannnd then I decided to embroider some life advice for my future self onto one of the pages:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUY34LrqKunfNxoC0A8ADqnPe2j-nEZviHVdBIJ_lE-irTuJ7YjRJHvh6F71E5pg3unsJp_uMxoy5LrDzm0IwB_aBHjYedDf68R0sS4atf83GKUIJeTP7b8IPl3xAfgrHvBm2zpXKo-0q/s1600/stay+weird+paper+raindrops+book+binding+embroidering+art+journal+pages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUY34LrqKunfNxoC0A8ADqnPe2j-nEZviHVdBIJ_lE-irTuJ7YjRJHvh6F71E5pg3unsJp_uMxoy5LrDzm0IwB_aBHjYedDf68R0sS4atf83GKUIJeTP7b8IPl3xAfgrHvBm2zpXKo-0q/s1600/stay+weird+paper+raindrops+book+binding+embroidering+art+journal+pages.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
;)<br />
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And on the very last page, I included some more time-travely nerdiness - from Star Trek this time.<br />
In case you are not a Trekkie, Spock always makes the Vulcan solute with his hand and says, "Live long and prosper" instead of goodbye. At one point in the film, he talks to his future self (Spock Prime). When it's time for goodbye, Spock Prime makes the solute and says:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-78PQ4pQwA9jISBw8ZtYFmXU1YO6m3SV2VXZTZ6oVS2p_J62LUyfnJmN_uwKf72prjwuq1Itioi0LAq6wGfexp1fAOASZQvEuMgvAzVAsz9496BX2RVTGLbx3ZS8wfljvVm5FZSFxpBoJ/s1600/spock+prime+customary+farewell+live+long+and+prosper+good+luck+art+journal+brown+paper+color+pencil+highlights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-78PQ4pQwA9jISBw8ZtYFmXU1YO6m3SV2VXZTZ6oVS2p_J62LUyfnJmN_uwKf72prjwuq1Itioi0LAq6wGfexp1fAOASZQvEuMgvAzVAsz9496BX2RVTGLbx3ZS8wfljvVm5FZSFxpBoJ/s1600/spock+prime+customary+farewell+live+long+and+prosper+good+luck+art+journal+brown+paper+color+pencil+highlights.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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"Since my customary farewell would appear oddly self-serving, I shall simply say ... good luck." </div>
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And yes, I thought putting that at the end of my time-travel journal was devastatingly hilarious. Don't judge.</div>
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And for the final touch, I decided to seal the book with actual real honest-to-goodness sealing wax. Because my sister just happened to have some on hand ... I have a cool family. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6HQO4l59YOFs0XVdTMTy4r63-9a6TriWN2yGCVkWRe59irVQK3vHvz-dpF2KEpsTwgP0mvdIaHl52EEuF03cKd6ZYhxDqGSFHu-KkLMhzaOeDVzmwGqcLBfJvCxfLZQY19iErl92NJaw/s1600/paper+raindrops+art+journal+idea+timey-wimey+journal+river+song's+notebook+red+sealing+wax+future+time+project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6HQO4l59YOFs0XVdTMTy4r63-9a6TriWN2yGCVkWRe59irVQK3vHvz-dpF2KEpsTwgP0mvdIaHl52EEuF03cKd6ZYhxDqGSFHu-KkLMhzaOeDVzmwGqcLBfJvCxfLZQY19iErl92NJaw/s1600/paper+raindrops+art+journal+idea+timey-wimey+journal+river+song's+notebook+red+sealing+wax+future+time+project.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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In between all the artsy pages I also did a lot of plain ole writing, asking my future self a ton of questions about if I was happy with my choices about college, what kind of job I should/would get, if I'd found my purpose/what in heck I should do with my life, what happens to my siblings and all their questions, what happens to all my friends/who will stick around in my life, etc. etc. The answers should be pretty interesting. </div>
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I'm secretly hoping that my future self will be cool enough to reply in ten years, add more new stuff, seal it for another ten years, and etc. etc. </div>
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We shall see. :) </div>
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And now, I will leave you with a few more ideas for things to include in a time travel journal: </div>
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<li>A bucket list or a page on where you want to be in ten years. (How much will you actually accomplish in that amount of time?)</li>
<li>A letter reminding yourself what kind of person you hope to become. (How will you match up to your past self's hopes?)</li>
<li>A prediction about your life in ten years, done by a close friend or family member. (How well do they know you?)</li>
<li>Your favorite books/movies/music. (Has your taste changed?)</li>
<li>Photos! (You could totally recreate the pose/location/outfit in ten years ... it'd be hilarious and awesome.)</li>
<li>Ask your future self to introduce you to someone you will love very much, but haven't even met yet at this point in your life. (A new friend? A new relative?)</li>
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The possibilities for awesomeness are endless!</div>
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So what do you think of a time traveling journal? Does writing to your future and past self sound intriguing? </div>
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Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-12308009979176959282014-01-27T10:00:00.000-08:002014-01-27T10:52:44.583-08:00Thrifted Dress --> Infinity Scarves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sunday afternoon and it was blizzarding out. What to do, what to do. </div>
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After pacing around for an hour or so I finally sat down with a project I've been meaning to do for a long time. It's the sitting-down-to-start part of projects that always gets me. Once I'm working it's fun, I just have to get through a lot of resistance first. :P </div>
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Creativity probs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFBciIewkI_dWmxNgr6Oitaxpi0UoqLBFuB9nH2lnLP2aeQs2wGYz_12EMMXsaQCJXzK669sTlurwADxxJJPqBpW_42tKOWUyVo7AaVkDzbVlp6iPcXRsBBH7KE7iUayGJaSbZxhId6EO/s1600/paper+raindrops+before+shot+restlye+project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFBciIewkI_dWmxNgr6Oitaxpi0UoqLBFuB9nH2lnLP2aeQs2wGYz_12EMMXsaQCJXzK669sTlurwADxxJJPqBpW_42tKOWUyVo7AaVkDzbVlp6iPcXRsBBH7KE7iUayGJaSbZxhId6EO/s1600/paper+raindrops+before+shot+restlye+project.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyway, this is a dress that I thrifted agggessssss ago. I originally wanted to restyle it into a skirt that fit properly, but quickly decided that was too much work. (I'm kinda really super lazy. Don't tell.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94voloUEJYVqsvMyiVK-KNSztFuYT4bwkH1651dEdNNA-fbbin-ybQH8iHDoXC0rhfkl4ieSFMIkkkIAiJSaq0YjCNIKc7VwUAbFdkB_NiTbw2LyIInMd4hG1bod9W_dIOaTGPtaiAsb2/s1600/paper+raindrops+thrifted+dress+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94voloUEJYVqsvMyiVK-KNSztFuYT4bwkH1651dEdNNA-fbbin-ybQH8iHDoXC0rhfkl4ieSFMIkkkIAiJSaq0YjCNIKc7VwUAbFdkB_NiTbw2LyIInMd4hG1bod9W_dIOaTGPtaiAsb2/s1600/paper+raindrops+thrifted+dress+before.jpg" height="498" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sooooo ... I decided for an easier use of this cute fabric. Infinity scarves!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq2B0D3EZXE5b4RnSHt4s3rZUNCi-0_iu_VSWovN8UBEcT1Dwc8_07JhEDaSpP-BRUzKm0NfMbw6mfYeSdP5SNaQqG78mNJalSgbNKWN9doZpC2Z-KM-SbHAAFCPxGsTw0aa2jGj3kQw-/s1600/paper+raindrops+thrifted+dress+restyle+infinity+scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq2B0D3EZXE5b4RnSHt4s3rZUNCi-0_iu_VSWovN8UBEcT1Dwc8_07JhEDaSpP-BRUzKm0NfMbw6mfYeSdP5SNaQqG78mNJalSgbNKWN9doZpC2Z-KM-SbHAAFCPxGsTw0aa2jGj3kQw-/s1600/paper+raindrops+thrifted+dress+restyle+infinity+scarf.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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First I cut off the band on top.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfBc-I-4PpiN8iAU96xtn3HJ9OJL72ShjrCe80cdwn3K13cExLw-E0jJw0iHy_-7pzlGUng_YVWN4kSHaU4Ab8WzBWFXzlwlgY67dqodWlJ5S3PUiY0TOSZscuofKpuo4IjX0RxU4yrlC/s1600/thrifted+dress+to+scarf+restyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfBc-I-4PpiN8iAU96xtn3HJ9OJL72ShjrCe80cdwn3K13cExLw-E0jJw0iHy_-7pzlGUng_YVWN4kSHaU4Ab8WzBWFXzlwlgY67dqodWlJ5S3PUiY0TOSZscuofKpuo4IjX0RxU4yrlC/s1600/thrifted+dress+to+scarf+restyle.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I separated the lining from the outside with a seam ripper.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBi6xnr3LUzms7Gr_1frJaqBAJL4qbKkLWOngMmTmMZwDYlhcimUmJTyGZbbFyWzhtQUQuXst-SzWJJjwynh2A-qxTdEIVQND_vTgVejFY0GppB4p7VKVhNDehrUnDVD9_fCw7O70j95r/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+seam+ripper+sewing+idea+thrifted+skirt+restyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBi6xnr3LUzms7Gr_1frJaqBAJL4qbKkLWOngMmTmMZwDYlhcimUmJTyGZbbFyWzhtQUQuXst-SzWJJjwynh2A-qxTdEIVQND_vTgVejFY0GppB4p7VKVhNDehrUnDVD9_fCw7O70j95r/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+seam+ripper+sewing+idea+thrifted+skirt+restyle.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here they are, two pre-looped infinity scarves!</div>
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Super easy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYUDFmqMq3UaFtoDVQA5vniaTgjV3qarmsbXHTiIoDmKoM_rnN8JPincHKWHUJKR9J6UkFuwuCSFDA9jjpx9eVHQo0Cp0sxF7BBY8pYPlr1uhkPHyLsVhOwZWGE-DG98ougUYPs88Wjzg/s1600/two+infinity+scarves+from+thrifted+skirt+diy+project+ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYUDFmqMq3UaFtoDVQA5vniaTgjV3qarmsbXHTiIoDmKoM_rnN8JPincHKWHUJKR9J6UkFuwuCSFDA9jjpx9eVHQo0Cp0sxF7BBY8pYPlr1uhkPHyLsVhOwZWGE-DG98ougUYPs88Wjzg/s1600/two+infinity+scarves+from+thrifted+skirt+diy+project+ideas.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I could have just left it there, but the raggedy edges were kinda bothering me. (Laziness and perfectionism is an unfortunate combination, let me tell you.)</div>
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And besides, I had already gone through all the work to set up my sewing machine. Couldn't let that go to waste. ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFECeu64I36XxI39gqGNmeEwr3volenIc8_1jHtkZEKF8oUPMYdItF1uxAJ5_DWxLLFvMSIBh9n9YTpBeBRzudMb-rURnrTBUyKKGCGNnvtHyZHd-vPPAL2608bhVsIswGtjxIeyoJxi2/s1600/fashion+sewing+raw+edge+color+stripes+rainbow+cotton+fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFECeu64I36XxI39gqGNmeEwr3volenIc8_1jHtkZEKF8oUPMYdItF1uxAJ5_DWxLLFvMSIBh9n9YTpBeBRzudMb-rURnrTBUyKKGCGNnvtHyZHd-vPPAL2608bhVsIswGtjxIeyoJxi2/s1600/fashion+sewing+raw+edge+color+stripes+rainbow+cotton+fabric.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I just did a super easy hemmety-hem-hem. Didn't even bother putting in pins. Cuz I'm such a good seamstress. (Read: Too much work. Am I sensing a theme here?)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfi_ymlxIRE0PBECCINRr_yuTuUQqK2osG70D8Q69H20N0c-Ljo-NBs779QJzFT8Qvax9KdfqmTIjMNHxE2JD_vUqmhKYy2u1cWJYXtk10bO0GnoxqUli7puQDSNXvBgk75BBs9ksG4VA/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+diy+sewing+infinity+scarf+skirt+restyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfi_ymlxIRE0PBECCINRr_yuTuUQqK2osG70D8Q69H20N0c-Ljo-NBs779QJzFT8Qvax9KdfqmTIjMNHxE2JD_vUqmhKYy2u1cWJYXtk10bO0GnoxqUli7puQDSNXvBgk75BBs9ksG4VA/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+diy+sewing+infinity+scarf+skirt+restyle.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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After the hemming, I went back over it and snipped the raw edges as close to the seam as I could. Gotta make it look neat, wot. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECTdx9tDeKXdQ2PI1jTmohpVTim9WI0OkQJPqiFZXLAcM4IQ2drmN-tVfgwggh5deIwAXnUbnnpHbvSDJLK4v2_jD_BHdaGJUNCDiIr5NwTjeYnlcAgKsStxsV7WI4Z0_9rJlkqbmiNar/s1600/paper+raindrops+sewing+idea+scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECTdx9tDeKXdQ2PI1jTmohpVTim9WI0OkQJPqiFZXLAcM4IQ2drmN-tVfgwggh5deIwAXnUbnnpHbvSDJLK4v2_jD_BHdaGJUNCDiIr5NwTjeYnlcAgKsStxsV7WI4Z0_9rJlkqbmiNar/s1600/paper+raindrops+sewing+idea+scarf.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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And ta-da! A cute candy-striped infinity scarf. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABz3uIMxRLgHPYhu8nV2jpNbqESEfjC5ZWrXZMgaay-puBdPnd3xCOqlEQ2Q_LbjBqqVKHBYBhCbZwgU84ojRm7vr80LECsbune2nd9iD1hY27yH0_YCeyGsXA-_Fd30G2AXC5g0nkILg/s1600/cheap+fabric+infinity+scarf+cotton+rainbow+stripes+self+portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABz3uIMxRLgHPYhu8nV2jpNbqESEfjC5ZWrXZMgaay-puBdPnd3xCOqlEQ2Q_LbjBqqVKHBYBhCbZwgU84ojRm7vr80LECsbune2nd9iD1hY27yH0_YCeyGsXA-_Fd30G2AXC5g0nkILg/s1600/cheap+fabric+infinity+scarf+cotton+rainbow+stripes+self+portrait.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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Worn doubled: </div>
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Even the lining made a cute summer-weight white scarf! </div>
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[Aannnd this is where I started having too much fun with weird lighting, focus, framing, and photo combinations. Oops.]</div>
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And project bonus! The drawstring makes a cute headband. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfBs_297MB6apD2dyAzQfs40IiKjbzuIoNNKGRCIB58Rq0EHoxDXkY6HWLOwJj7u89goJsjIbKAIMyJKsobRsro_fOjd15c3qs8iUQy5HH6TWG3kPW24byMirlG6kYnlhU6cGHkWoYnEe/s1600/paper+raindrops+drawstring+headband+restyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfBs_297MB6apD2dyAzQfs40IiKjbzuIoNNKGRCIB58Rq0EHoxDXkY6HWLOwJj7u89goJsjIbKAIMyJKsobRsro_fOjd15c3qs8iUQy5HH6TWG3kPW24byMirlG6kYnlhU6cGHkWoYnEe/s1600/paper+raindrops+drawstring+headband+restyle.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYbnZatv54aCWKPRd9v01yyX83_VxuaQVcoECOAY7jhmlPv_xa0iGhBVwoxOs01aGG3PQbCkrFiAn5hju7gcI67Dho_YzVCJMW5cSfbSFXq3dbo06730RAK7Bek10BWLLCfxSLTtAVeHf/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+infinity+scarf+skirt+restyle+diy+project+white+fashion+ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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Overall, this was a super simple and fun afternoon project. Plus, using a thrift-store item is one of the cheapest ways to get cute fabric! <br />
Have you ever remade a thrifted item?Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-6378760513138843242014-01-15T17:09:00.000-08:002014-01-15T17:09:45.569-08:00Snow Dragon! After -50 degrees windchill last week, 40 degrees felt positively balmy. I mean, seriously. That's 90 degrees warmer within a week. Crazy Minnesota. -_-<br />
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To celebrate the warmth, we went to a park with a bunch of friends. It turned into a t-shirt & mittens, snowball fight, and snow-dragon-building kinda Sunday afternoon. A bunch of pals making something together just for the heck of it. Seriously can't get much better than that, guys.</div>
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*Photos from various iPods & phones among the group. Some days simply do not require fancy cameras or fancy words to make them appear lovely. They just are. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVbarxhyACfPCJJvSnAUSTQ6nubdu80HDY7sVYv659YO90PnvwE9UayNPwc1tUieMovnr5NiHnwv1WUMs1o2rEFF1c_O78-iW3N1l6IFT9C8iDJModFPOX7kGzjdNfAPV4sfv2Dzkdfs5/s1600/paper+raindrops+snow+dragon+sculpture+friends+ideas+winter+activities+teenager+twenty-something+projects+minnesota+cold+ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVbarxhyACfPCJJvSnAUSTQ6nubdu80HDY7sVYv659YO90PnvwE9UayNPwc1tUieMovnr5NiHnwv1WUMs1o2rEFF1c_O78-iW3N1l6IFT9C8iDJModFPOX7kGzjdNfAPV4sfv2Dzkdfs5/s1600/paper+raindrops+snow+dragon+sculpture+friends+ideas+winter+activities+teenager+twenty-something+projects+minnesota+cold+ice.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVyxJ6lwhAb1rUGCHhCQztIJSuLofwpdd-QaQVKew3hhh1COjy9xai9D5kqyExjFWGKlLxfjFpAJ_QXWGe5OrG1MMGckcFas3yu8tntfNKJ-bgN1PW_GnttZoit9p7KCyGPNV9WcS1-ej/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+minnesota+winter+activities+snow+sculpture+dragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVyxJ6lwhAb1rUGCHhCQztIJSuLofwpdd-QaQVKew3hhh1COjy9xai9D5kqyExjFWGKlLxfjFpAJ_QXWGe5OrG1MMGckcFas3yu8tntfNKJ-bgN1PW_GnttZoit9p7KCyGPNV9WcS1-ej/s1600/paper+raindrops+blog+minnesota+winter+activities+snow+sculpture+dragon.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gusz5mdDlHOBACBqYzsCaDCYeV4EB2mUbQvVS9YFlm1sQM_RgwSLjPgPNH4YyFetwmBpFKGv75rNbpu98N-f_UQ-VdQgZVJctUzqe4TX5KAIsk0aH_k44iWU-W_94tdOnVEZS6L_LS7M/s1600/paper+raindrops+building+a+snow+dragon+post+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gusz5mdDlHOBACBqYzsCaDCYeV4EB2mUbQvVS9YFlm1sQM_RgwSLjPgPNH4YyFetwmBpFKGv75rNbpu98N-f_UQ-VdQgZVJctUzqe4TX5KAIsk0aH_k44iWU-W_94tdOnVEZS6L_LS7M/s1600/paper+raindrops+building+a+snow+dragon+post+blog.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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Evening shadows at 3:30.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUBYgAfTlka-b9fTUQ0Qy6alScPCD3-sy2Mf41TCFs2nZZJzhTvvA_sGWRiqTkAzUIoOOe4blznC6ZIogqhD-yzlUVD3ppmuul7uFqXLHgYssvrJnamIxOaaNHDMbDxDr2HsPjse8Jhgu/s1600/evening+shadows+snow+sculpture+dragon+winter+minnesota+activity+outdoor+ideas+project+white+sunset+creative.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUBYgAfTlka-b9fTUQ0Qy6alScPCD3-sy2Mf41TCFs2nZZJzhTvvA_sGWRiqTkAzUIoOOe4blznC6ZIogqhD-yzlUVD3ppmuul7uFqXLHgYssvrJnamIxOaaNHDMbDxDr2HsPjse8Jhgu/s1600/evening+shadows+snow+sculpture+dragon+winter+minnesota+activity+outdoor+ideas+project+white+sunset+creative.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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We left cold and wet and rosy happy, congratulating ourselves on the completion of one dang epic dragon. If we do say so ourselves. </div>
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Have you ever built anything crazy out of snow (or sand, for that matter)? </div>
Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-80580314599887905092013-11-25T13:34:00.000-08:002014-01-15T16:41:07.561-08:00Dear Person: of helicopters, pixie cuts, and ironic sweaters <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Spent the afternoon reviving my Dear Person project instead of writing that paper which is due tonight.</div>
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Is it bad that I feel like I got my priorities straight?</div>
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Drawing again felt SO good. These three letters are from things I saw on our recent trip to Minneapolis! </div>
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That last one is definitely my fave. :) Which is yours?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">P.S. Check out more Dear Person letters <a href="http://paperraindrops.blogspot.com/search/label/Dear%20Person" target="_blank">here</a>! </span></div>
Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-79823865444621931792013-11-13T11:48:00.000-08:002013-11-25T14:37:39.667-08:00Little things<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
Life’s to-do list is a marathon long and an abyss deep
this day. The weight of all I must do holds me down so I cannot do it. And then
my friend texts me about how the wind is so delighted about the fact that it
can just rush somewhere - anywhere, and the prairies are shivering and giggling, and we are mostly shivering, but the sun is happy and that makes the day
glorious. And suddenly the abyss loses its hold on me. The sun dances through
the window, warming my empty face with light. The fridge hums peacefully. There
is fresh coffee. Mom and Dad came home from Florida yesterday, and sand that hitchhiked
from that distant roaring deep living ocean decorates our dining room table
with grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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These little things will save me today. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My God is a God who has been saving his kiddos from abysses
since the dawn of time. Using <span style="line-height: 200%;">light or sound or coffee or grit: doesn't matter. He will save us
whatever it takes.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> It is days like today when writing half a page of simple
words and posting it without pictures is enough. It is days like today when picking up that extra fork and
putting it into the dishwasher instead of letting it lay apathetically dirty on
the counter is a victory. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> It is days like today when little is big and little
is enough and little will triumph. </span></div>
Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-68947119731658130832013-10-25T08:27:00.000-07:002013-10-25T08:32:47.052-07:00Adventuring where you are<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So here's the thing.</div>
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My posts are gonna be sporadic. Because school. Because SO much school. </div>
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However. I still adore blogging and don't plan on stopping anytime soon. So hang in there peeps! :)</div>
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A few weeks ago (this shows how busy I am ... haven't had time to blog it until now!) my sister hijacked me away from school and took me on a bike ride. Halfway through she gets this mischievous grin and says, "I have an idea." </div>
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...</div>
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I love it when she does that. :D</div>
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Before I knew it, we had ended up at moxie java for coffee. Unstyled hair, tired school eyes and brain, and very ready for a vacation. </div>
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An urban sister's date. </div>
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The best. :)</div>
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We sipped our coffee and took pictures of everything and admired architecture and people-watched ... and you know? It felt like a real live vacation. I don't know about you, but we never just go out for coffee in our own town. I don't know why; we have a beautiful downtown area that feels almost as exciting as visiting a new city. </div>
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Taking the time to sit in the sun and breathe in the urban atmosphere ... it was needed.</div>
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Street art! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1w6T7AfTz0j6qqHD-QBY5-tnm_6OGuGm1kVRQVzngYuE4VSmbv2U_tf1JEHj_BMPlLC9BzRqeAyXr3HBxa5eVMlyX3WhlthCi7HN7GD1Y-tZtVDpUcZXDJdizp7BAaRnTxWI8C0TjV_r/s1600/street+art+pileated+wood+pecker+graffiti+downtown+brick+urban+streetart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1w6T7AfTz0j6qqHD-QBY5-tnm_6OGuGm1kVRQVzngYuE4VSmbv2U_tf1JEHj_BMPlLC9BzRqeAyXr3HBxa5eVMlyX3WhlthCi7HN7GD1Y-tZtVDpUcZXDJdizp7BAaRnTxWI8C0TjV_r/s640/street+art+pileated+wood+pecker+graffiti+downtown+brick+urban+streetart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekbylh-6L2zvMxDqk9xuuxt7YFatVKsJvt4tw5ONiMWGasKJNAVWIsVkKuad2mPU87cOj02xH-DgPJDJWoEy93ihldH-owp7YmaFQvdEuwe-8hviwQSXNupyftWNVXp8mSVPMWUEmOuQs/s1600/paper+raindrops+coffee+outing+sister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekbylh-6L2zvMxDqk9xuuxt7YFatVKsJvt4tw5ONiMWGasKJNAVWIsVkKuad2mPU87cOj02xH-DgPJDJWoEy93ihldH-owp7YmaFQvdEuwe-8hviwQSXNupyftWNVXp8mSVPMWUEmOuQs/s640/paper+raindrops+coffee+outing+sister.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfB9ktSYhegbeZDtLugMQlSNa4MTqNJql0TNaAiVZjr65KiQ0HDaNGfX3PMOMT7umCWYVlHpdZHk1AJz20qD-g8LBsR8aOvMkY40InWSN_IFUJ5sq3Hcf6wzSnqgz_6zJDQTxk1E5ghgEt/s1600/metal+outdoor+table+patio+restaurant+moxie+java+coffee+urban+downtown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfB9ktSYhegbeZDtLugMQlSNa4MTqNJql0TNaAiVZjr65KiQ0HDaNGfX3PMOMT7umCWYVlHpdZHk1AJz20qD-g8LBsR8aOvMkY40InWSN_IFUJ5sq3Hcf6wzSnqgz_6zJDQTxk1E5ghgEt/s640/metal+outdoor+table+patio+restaurant+moxie+java+coffee+urban+downtown.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is my blissful face:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDmD3ETVbilSdHOIdU0ab4_58O25SjoTFsSScYCjb4pCAd1owzsK2oA-y9fF2Fgy9juhq-DVdhQp1uloOICybUoQYx8tvPEqJe8qb31B7T1Wm2VLppp9UuCGyxQFFZLURxaaRo6V7XpTn/s1600/paper+raindrops+contented+autum+indian+summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDmD3ETVbilSdHOIdU0ab4_58O25SjoTFsSScYCjb4pCAd1owzsK2oA-y9fF2Fgy9juhq-DVdhQp1uloOICybUoQYx8tvPEqJe8qb31B7T1Wm2VLppp9UuCGyxQFFZLURxaaRo6V7XpTn/s640/paper+raindrops+contented+autum+indian+summer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And this is my that-face-looked-dumb-I-crack-me-up face. ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianGLQDgDE5ZDaX3jJSvpaqTUgn-KuhaTzeixeFLYGFSiKRmEybGz3pVOGmJo_SnQfQ8X-CO6729carBZKiWYrUpkAYqTuJ4q55lj8jMLr_TLSAB_SqJwuv5HiIL8psZu363exmSHbGsVP/s1600/coffee+date+laughter+moxie+java+indian+summer+autumn+fall+urban+vacation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianGLQDgDE5ZDaX3jJSvpaqTUgn-KuhaTzeixeFLYGFSiKRmEybGz3pVOGmJo_SnQfQ8X-CO6729carBZKiWYrUpkAYqTuJ4q55lj8jMLr_TLSAB_SqJwuv5HiIL8psZu363exmSHbGsVP/s640/coffee+date+laughter+moxie+java+indian+summer+autumn+fall+urban+vacation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Taking time to notice reflections and details:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QccvAFgV0jqqsQJt5Niio3IgRg33_BMgdHrRYsOjdi8Gu3BnvR_qA04YvDRztMEWpu3GqWm1_yxh5jbgrWeAc3C7EF1Qurxy-GQ1L9Guwy6TvhYGzGL_TKsV9BR3OyDwGNE-OEyYglWt/s1600/paper+raindrops+urban+reflections+sunglasses+bangs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QccvAFgV0jqqsQJt5Niio3IgRg33_BMgdHrRYsOjdi8Gu3BnvR_qA04YvDRztMEWpu3GqWm1_yxh5jbgrWeAc3C7EF1Qurxy-GQ1L9Guwy6TvhYGzGL_TKsV9BR3OyDwGNE-OEyYglWt/s640/paper+raindrops+urban+reflections+sunglasses+bangs.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOINViblAeNXMqq-9u2l94OyvkODVQZye5qzNoFsuX2lLT1HziYFb6hK-lzySS9IGhVcSASP2jTwHwrDo3kjQejJ8mFwEsca_gEvACwSOmWzXfaZiRLTT-c60iSmz8qhwtbgKWtEfA21hN/s1600/paper+raindrops+phone+reflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOINViblAeNXMqq-9u2l94OyvkODVQZye5qzNoFsuX2lLT1HziYFb6hK-lzySS9IGhVcSASP2jTwHwrDo3kjQejJ8mFwEsca_gEvACwSOmWzXfaZiRLTT-c60iSmz8qhwtbgKWtEfA21hN/s640/paper+raindrops+phone+reflection.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's emptyyyyyy. :(<br />
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And then we biked slowly home, leaves skittering across the road on that Indian-summer day.<br />
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On a side note, we passed this abandoned factory.<br />
I've been wanting to go into it for like, years now.<br />
Maybe one day ...<br />
(Ok, probably not. But in my dreams? Definitely.)<br />
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I highly suggest taking time to be a tourist in your own town sometime. Just doing something that you normally save for vacations only (going out for coffee, sitting on a restaurant patio, taking pictures of everything) really makes those short minutes/hours seem like a true restful adventure.<br />
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I don't know why we all forget to enjoy where we are ...Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-43656795092373349232013-09-22T15:30:00.004-07:002013-10-25T08:28:50.780-07:00Dragonfruit: Color Explosion <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After our adventures with <a href="http://www.paperraindrops.blogspot.com/2013/08/part-of-story.html" target="_blank">Rambutan</a>, my Mom decided to give another tropical fruit a try. This time she got one she'd never had before either: dragonfruit! </div>
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Talk about a color explosion! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvMt7vz3Mtik5vy0f-koRlttVBQRyn0PE1LmOFfE31lFQ5zRC1BgWx6cQPou3Gw-C6GTxJxJarXCUV8TIeFk67Yx05YhlzZvcPKhZzEe2t6yRbENXqPLu2jnSRs4i5Xqud_IhqcqlDE1q/s1600/dragon+fruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvMt7vz3Mtik5vy0f-koRlttVBQRyn0PE1LmOFfE31lFQ5zRC1BgWx6cQPou3Gw-C6GTxJxJarXCUV8TIeFk67Yx05YhlzZvcPKhZzEe2t6yRbENXqPLu2jnSRs4i5Xqud_IhqcqlDE1q/s640/dragon+fruit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Opening a new kind of fruit for the first time is one of those happy little thrills. You never know what could be inside! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0L17rcLMeq4aLM-Z9BGM2oDegR4F535DQVj4l8q5kkm8iVtq-oc_skGd5Zj2gDn51jj5cUyD6mm4-gKMk5d5Lf65BCHLbD4jNqhsxsf5rLr9q3c2e-m0ItmGWXEMmOz4kvJ-dV7nuyy9I/s1600/dragon+fruit+texture+color+bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0L17rcLMeq4aLM-Z9BGM2oDegR4F535DQVj4l8q5kkm8iVtq-oc_skGd5Zj2gDn51jj5cUyD6mm4-gKMk5d5Lf65BCHLbD4jNqhsxsf5rLr9q3c2e-m0ItmGWXEMmOz4kvJ-dV7nuyy9I/s640/dragon+fruit+texture+color+bright.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Don't those spines look ... <i>dragony?? </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7mZi-CnZX12q9j8CdbnDidyEwXPv3v4PH2DCaSImjQdLlSmFEqBO0f6Wio0rjbhyjx0uyI19EUFxSVc87AK2J0Bg39fD4_JYiMYaOya1zqmy8sTgXCIdUX6Oj0uyrarIEsiNvLcy1Oiu/s1600/dragon+fruit+hot+colors+pink+orange+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7mZi-CnZX12q9j8CdbnDidyEwXPv3v4PH2DCaSImjQdLlSmFEqBO0f6Wio0rjbhyjx0uyI19EUFxSVc87AK2J0Bg39fD4_JYiMYaOya1zqmy8sTgXCIdUX6Oj0uyrarIEsiNvLcy1Oiu/s640/dragon+fruit+hot+colors+pink+orange+green.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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You can eat the inside seeds and all, like a kiwi. It definitely has that kiwi texture, but hardly any flavor at all. It was very very subtly sweet and fresh, but only if you concentrated really hard on your taste buds. :)</div>
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But just look at those colors and textures! Totally worth getting at least once, if only to enjoy the visual work of art. </div>
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The black and white pattern with those shocking bright colors? </div>
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Man.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8ttRKx4Rnum2sCbes5vjzpmsv9MkxzlfZKpapbvvk22PVYsoo84Po1WdrsHYbojXnV6AVGFe-X3X-0Tw2KUzgQHQVnp9T0JoqrRrQufp5IKvb-l2ujXuoz105Quv8qNw3kwjnrBbZ0zB/s1600/opening+a+dragon+fruit+how+to.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8ttRKx4Rnum2sCbes5vjzpmsv9MkxzlfZKpapbvvk22PVYsoo84Po1WdrsHYbojXnV6AVGFe-X3X-0Tw2KUzgQHQVnp9T0JoqrRrQufp5IKvb-l2ujXuoz105Quv8qNw3kwjnrBbZ0zB/s640/opening+a+dragon+fruit+how+to.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Have you tried any exciting food lately?Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-26875875621947031312013-09-19T08:41:00.001-07:002013-09-19T10:24:28.095-07:00Let us take Adventures: of Contentment & Chameleons <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, you guys, it's happened.</div>
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School and the mad exhausting beautiful awful invigorating chaos of autumn has struck, and I've barely had time to breathe. </div>
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Which is why I'm taking time by the horns and demanding that it listen to me, that I <i>do</i> <i>too </i>have time to blog even though I don't but apparently I do, cuz here I am. So there. </div>
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<i>This is the story of summer's last hurrah. The deep breath before the dive. The Sabbath rest before the Monday that is September.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">**Photo credit goes to anyone and everyone who happened to swipe the camera. **</span></div>
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My oldest brother and his wife talk about their trips to the Boundary Waters (the lakes between Minnesota and Canada) constantly. They canoe and portage far into the wilderness many times each year. It's their joy. It's their vacation and adventure. It's their <i>thing. </i></div>
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And late in August we got to be a part of it! </div>
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The whole crew included my oldest bro and his wife, my other brother, my sis-in-law's brother, me, and three friends (who are brothers. What is this, the Brotherband Chronicles??). Oh, and Pippin, the golden retriever pup. None of her brothers could make it. ;) </div>
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Packing up the canoes! </div>
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Aaaaand we're off.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lYQ7pnLwWu2sRWJkvcVq7llgkA2Wd5G1SVDgpxydqnmwqG-lb-h-cYF8oUyiYtw_sNPjuyLeQIz6WzVq6RC8pZnPmlMvYp0jBvLj0D7MPiVoy41Ex82Gh-eaX684l7ylSWuzXH-CEMZ0/s1600/canoe+camping+trip+three+person+aluminum+canoe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lYQ7pnLwWu2sRWJkvcVq7llgkA2Wd5G1SVDgpxydqnmwqG-lb-h-cYF8oUyiYtw_sNPjuyLeQIz6WzVq6RC8pZnPmlMvYp0jBvLj0D7MPiVoy41Ex82Gh-eaX684l7ylSWuzXH-CEMZ0/s640/canoe+camping+trip+three+person+aluminum+canoe.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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At the first of four portages. This one was 50 rods long (a rod is the length of a canoe).</div>
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Between three guys each carrying a canoe and the rest of us with massive packs, we were able to carry everything across the portages in one trip! </div>
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In the next lake, almost ready to go again.</div>
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Pippin and her personal puppy wrangler. :) </div>
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Blue skies above, the sun baking us slowly and sparkling off the rippling lake, each stroke bringing us deeper into the silence of the wilderness.</div>
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Finally, after a long tiring day of paddle, portage, paddle, we arrived at our campsite. And by campsite, I mean <i>legit </i>campsite. No running water, no electricity, no buildings to run to for shelter, a hole in the ground with a seat on it being the excuse for a "bathroom."<br />
It was actually awesome. ;)<br />
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The days started cold and early and were filled with filtered lake-water coffee, instant oatmeal in mugs, the subtle smell of long-gone campfires, sleepy eyes and raspy morning voices. </div>
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And the days ended with fishing trips and golden light and mesmerizing ripples and hushed voices. Paddles lifted from the water, dripping a quiet rhythmic hiss. The occasional hollow thunk of a paddle hitting the canoe, echoing across the still lake. </div>
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It didn't take long for the days to begin running together. A day trip to other lakes, sore shoulders, the paddling and portaging and people falling into a rhythm. Minds beginning to forget about anything but living and laughing and rocking in the sun. "Fishing" trips that were really just weeding trips. A sort of foggy haze of just being, the kind where you live and don't think about living. </div>
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Lilly pads! Which are obviously yummeh. Duh.</div>
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Reflections. Liquid trees.</div>
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Me'n' Pip are good buddies. :)</div>
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My favorite day was the day we just sat around camp, all worn out and lazy, puttering with nothing in particular. </div>
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There were rocks to skip and mini houses to build out of pine needles and sticks and moss, and zero nagging responsibilities that would need forceful ignoration. There just wasn't anything at all on the back of our minds, and it was glorious.</div>
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And then there were manly men trying to make manly fire with manly bow drills but only succeeding in making manly smoke before the manly rope broke. </div>
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There was a puppy chewing on trees (that dog has <i>got</i> to be part beaver, gosh golly goodness), and there was fish gutting, with the guts being thrown into the lake as we swam. There were rocks deep in the lake to stand on, and lake-water hair, and bar soap for shampoo. And there was singing and humming to fill the quiet, and <i>Radioactive</i> accidentally became the camp theme song. </div>
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There were mosquitoes to slap and toes to annihilate on boulders, and leeches to sprinkle with salt (which totally makes them let go, fyi. This I know. First hand. Be jealous.)</div>
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There were knives everywhere: knife throwing and sharpness testing, and random carving action with flying wood chips to dodge. </div>
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There was instant coffee and brother massages and the comparing of CrossFit squat forms. T<span style="text-align: left;">here was incessant teasing and a giant wolf spider to poke and a twenty-something guy to teach how to knit. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLktg04aoqvtoHxxAPe9OoTjX3xoIhu5VjW_bEgd4r2ryeGW-Vp1TewG74foIeNO7Pe59aKcbIw6aWlFE_HEmGZi8N_nKLar9Oy5G-b7VVRKrExdcqvXMjdZNGXUuS2bvrdI4n6I6W6PrC/s1600/boundary+waters+camping+knitting+boys+guys+knit+teaching+learning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLktg04aoqvtoHxxAPe9OoTjX3xoIhu5VjW_bEgd4r2ryeGW-Vp1TewG74foIeNO7Pe59aKcbIw6aWlFE_HEmGZi8N_nKLar9Oy5G-b7VVRKrExdcqvXMjdZNGXUuS2bvrdI4n6I6W6PrC/s640/boundary+waters+camping+knitting+boys+guys+knit+teaching+learning.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, that just happened.</td></tr>
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There was a bear pack full of food and toothpaste to hoist into a tree, and there were late night Settlers of Catan games to play in the tents and trail mix to swipe from each other. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvtP8fGvfycGbgciSeZ_TtP6J_UwlpkytWzgFhr5bevJIi-y7T63Xzrww6d-N091NTx9OCxVUo2PiX03yQczlJBC5H9AQj21g0XAWVdNiESht1fB4kF1lbGntpRfqQgS5HgGYuiccPMXt/s1600/tent+camping+late+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvtP8fGvfycGbgciSeZ_TtP6J_UwlpkytWzgFhr5bevJIi-y7T63Xzrww6d-N091NTx9OCxVUo2PiX03yQczlJBC5H9AQj21g0XAWVdNiESht1fB4kF1lbGntpRfqQgS5HgGYuiccPMXt/s640/tent+camping+late+night.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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There were suspicious rustlings in the woods late at night, and wide eyes listening hushed, and flashlights beaming in the dark. There were giant night-time toads hopping across the path and lighting flickering during the darkest hours, thunder booming, the sound of a rain barrage on tent, fabric whipping violently in the wind. Cold air, damp sleeping bags, snuggling puppy.</div>
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And there was friendship and there was family, and the scent of pine and lake and pipe smoke, and all around there was laughter. </div>
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^And there was Inna getting sentimental. :)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hHVP_R8YaEWXDgHB9o3_tHyAMWnMDG6LN8dHEKaTy6y8hXsB6dRHKm0ACBNz9Ts11gBoiACn1RYhSrR-MIuI9NuMdmUDHyDVdszONpKKrmJ9PFhBDpN3aL2TAa0YXPe_aLN-cEg3IsDn/s1600/boundary+waters+hard+core+camping+siblings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hHVP_R8YaEWXDgHB9o3_tHyAMWnMDG6LN8dHEKaTy6y8hXsB6dRHKm0ACBNz9Ts11gBoiACn1RYhSrR-MIuI9NuMdmUDHyDVdszONpKKrmJ9PFhBDpN3aL2TAa0YXPe_aLN-cEg3IsDn/s640/boundary+waters+hard+core+camping+siblings.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siblings! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4_sNxc_uK8HIlLVBJMke1G7roXxL4mi2ouWz6qFNTRj1ytNNflJoNu7EOXOKx74IR6H6BPSdX4Ec_Ro04w9S4N2K5v6MvwARdj0MAhTYRxgCYO5YSR6-7gdqqsYdgBwtZ1wAfXVA8lVn/s1600/pape+rraindrops+camping+trip+sunset+lake+canoe+silhouetted+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4_sNxc_uK8HIlLVBJMke1G7roXxL4mi2ouWz6qFNTRj1ytNNflJoNu7EOXOKx74IR6H6BPSdX4Ec_Ro04w9S4N2K5v6MvwARdj0MAhTYRxgCYO5YSR6-7gdqqsYdgBwtZ1wAfXVA8lVn/s640/pape+rraindrops+camping+trip+sunset+lake+canoe+silhouetted+trees.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I have decided that my 18th year is the Year of the Chameleon. This is the year where I find myself taking adventures and being able to blend into almost any situation, much like that colorful critter.<br />
I wonder which me is more me, the hipster one who loves cities and swing dancing and pixie cuts, or the one with a heavy pack pinching into her shoulders, the weight pulling her off balance, grinning gleefully at the dirt and the spiders and the leeches?<br />
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I don't need to know, not yet. I'll take my adventures and enjoy them, all sorts, with my mind open, and someday I'll find me. But for now, me is a girl who is a bit strange because you never know where you'll find her. She's exploring different personalities, and trying them on for size, and that's normal and that's natural and that's good.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFppjebiPX_RAnocE2jfcf7GODSkbJpbnVbm7PpDU6YYjpKE9_WnWjFd5GzK46BpfTooWX79r-4ToT1Z-u8vL7LY5cgPtHur9ao5h-EtgHbYQxEVIIf7rtBbkeTAQyd__T5SuoMFvm2-PJ/s1600/canoe+camping+early+morning+lake+sunrise+blue+nature+wilderness+BWCA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFppjebiPX_RAnocE2jfcf7GODSkbJpbnVbm7PpDU6YYjpKE9_WnWjFd5GzK46BpfTooWX79r-4ToT1Z-u8vL7LY5cgPtHur9ao5h-EtgHbYQxEVIIf7rtBbkeTAQyd__T5SuoMFvm2-PJ/s640/canoe+camping+early+morning+lake+sunrise+blue+nature+wilderness+BWCA.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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"<i>We must take adventures in order to know where we truly belong."</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYbX2d_l1ZeyCDuW09Uo6EwaxI5VelsLTy6n-XS0TIfPofcNTQjsMHQw64S8KuLBfmx0NK7I2wGW9Ra__oOO8LfOFzazpAK7Novbz-fWumAfW1-JKLecN4Od6al8OKIHd8Lr7aADcsDC6/s1600/morning+fishing+silhouette+bwca+camping+canoe+mn+lakes+minnesota.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYbX2d_l1ZeyCDuW09Uo6EwaxI5VelsLTy6n-XS0TIfPofcNTQjsMHQw64S8KuLBfmx0NK7I2wGW9Ra__oOO8LfOFzazpAK7Novbz-fWumAfW1-JKLecN4Od6al8OKIHd8Lr7aADcsDC6/s640/morning+fishing+silhouette+bwca+camping+canoe+mn+lakes+minnesota.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Finally it was time to begin the long journey home, and we realized we had lost a paddle! After searching the campsite for twenty minutes or so, we finally had to leave without it. We packed up and paddled around the corner, only to discover the long lost paddle floating among the rocks on the other side of our peninsula! Apparently it had floated away, and what luck that the wind directed it into the path we would follow! *Whew* We didn't have to lose any of our muscle power after all. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6KDH4hKuL7Cp9xA5JlsvI8NMpeBkvQD0V2tZorDdaGBeLV68f9OpUetu6Bm663SUELbKfL-7-LU5nu6fDF1KMJV-UuNqDHqPiaykb26rrvLKmc5Ljd3ksTpv_5sW6q8UxC2LQOhI4sqC/s1600/canoe+camping+boundary+waters+paddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6KDH4hKuL7Cp9xA5JlsvI8NMpeBkvQD0V2tZorDdaGBeLV68f9OpUetu6Bm663SUELbKfL-7-LU5nu6fDF1KMJV-UuNqDHqPiaykb26rrvLKmc5Ljd3ksTpv_5sW6q8UxC2LQOhI4sqC/s640/canoe+camping+boundary+waters+paddle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Trekking through the woods, like a boss. (Okay okay, so I did have the smallest pack of anyone. But hey, I'm also the smallest person. I can still be a boss, right?)<br />
When I told my sis how shockingly much I enjoyed it, she just smiled and said, "Of course you did. Women weren't made to be sissies."<br />
I like that. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRYgkZc1ernFZKvaRh2phgDt83eIFTVlDL2EvqnZowMN8W6W0Sk8w1lnPnphzNiDesWiXECANZteGA9bRfih9Udmm7EL-RKYXCEqGuj1WFhUMIwGImerTkJGEfvVGIT-Gl6KEdwjTohyz/s1600/boundary+waters+canoe+camping+trip+BWCA+portaging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRYgkZc1ernFZKvaRh2phgDt83eIFTVlDL2EvqnZowMN8W6W0Sk8w1lnPnphzNiDesWiXECANZteGA9bRfih9Udmm7EL-RKYXCEqGuj1WFhUMIwGImerTkJGEfvVGIT-Gl6KEdwjTohyz/s640/boundary+waters+canoe+camping+trip+BWCA+portaging.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Right before our last portage ... tired eyes, happy people. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5UiIQarM00F5LPUG91k5G_pezl-EexGQzC5Sepb6JZz2FwI4VCCIMle84k6rvxCKnw1GXciHglQaCkREIEyx5Ji_VKdnvj2QmRygBhRfrDgFc31g0HZHOsOHbcigS5eP1edyWzTLKhFn/s1600/bwca+camping+trip+canoeing+portaging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5UiIQarM00F5LPUG91k5G_pezl-EexGQzC5Sepb6JZz2FwI4VCCIMle84k6rvxCKnw1GXciHglQaCkREIEyx5Ji_VKdnvj2QmRygBhRfrDgFc31g0HZHOsOHbcigS5eP1edyWzTLKhFn/s640/bwca+camping+trip+canoeing+portaging.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And then <i>finally </i>but all too soon, we were back in the cars in civilization.<br />
And then I discovered it, you guys. I discovered contentment.<br />
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<i>Contentment is snoozing in the backseat, eyes closed against
sunny air conditioning, a stomach full of fresh subway and cold root-beer,
a hot puppy breathing hard asleep curled against your side, an iced latte to
sip, the voices of family in front, a sunburned nose, mosquito bit
legs and dirty clothes. </i><br />
<i>On the way home from an adventure that has totally worn you out. </i><br />
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Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-82061972046889060142013-09-01T06:26:00.000-07:002013-09-01T06:27:45.509-07:00Farewell, August <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It was one of those cool August nights when you
wrap up in goose-down blankets and sit in the hammock, your heart crying out
and raging confusion into the darkness. And then you sense a comforting
whisper, and something catches your eye above in the blackness: a slow and swollen
glowing satellite. You know from its size that you've seen it before. It's the
International Space Station. And suddenly you feel calm in your wonder – there
are people up there. Among the stars. Your senses begin to awaken and all at once
the nighttime air is a miracle. The smell, mysterious. Your mind begins
snatching at every subtle tremor of the air as if naming </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">ingredients</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">, capturing them in a word: a poem. </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">//If you're interested in seeing the ISS for yourself, look up your location <a href="http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/index.cfm#.UiM-RDbkvec" target="_blank">here</a> to learn when to look out for it.//</span></div>
Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-45617987156861961702013-08-30T14:50:00.002-07:002013-08-30T15:07:43.009-07:00Silver ear cuff DIY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A long time ago, I made an ear cuff out of a <a href="http://paperraindrops.blogspot.com/2012/01/1-minute-ear-cuff.html">paper clip.</a> And recently I decided to give ear cuff making another go! This time, though, I wanted it to look more like a real cartilage piercing. This is what I came up with:</div>
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You can buy these rings at craft stores, they basically look like baby key rings. Use a wire cutter to snip about half of the ring off. </div>
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You'll be left with this shape, but the ends will be sharp. Use a dab of clear nail polish or glue to cover the sharpness, and there you go! </div>
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To wear it just bend the opening until it's wide enough to slip onto your ear. Press it slightly together, and that's it! A simple "cartilage piercing" without the pain or commitment. ;)<br />
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<br />Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-62648585933795945812013-08-28T13:58:00.000-07:002013-08-28T13:58:57.477-07:00Watch jewelry <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, I finally finished making three necklaces out of the watch parts in my last post!</div>
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The first one I made was using the big piece from the Bulova wristwatch. I simply attached it to a chain with a tiny piece of wire. </div>
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All the chains I used were thrifted. Even the most expensive one was under two dollars! They are really nice quality and have more character than brand new ones, which fits well with the style I was going for.</div>
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For the second one, I simply put the watch face back into the case of the Ingersoll Junior pocket watch, and attached it to a chain. The watch is empty now, making it lighter and allowing me to use the gears for another necklace. </div>
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For the final necklace (my absolute favorite one!) I glued some of the gears from the Ingersoll together using clear nail polish. Then I used small metal rings to attach the charm to a studded chain.<br />
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I had so much fun breaking out the necklace making supplies again! I just might have to share more jewelry ideas soon. :)Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-44562792665067038512013-08-21T13:34:00.001-07:002013-08-21T13:34:53.479-07:00Dissecting Watches <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When asked what I wanted for my birthday this year, I promptly asked for old broken watches from the thrift store. Yup. </div>
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I got my wish. :)</div>
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Why did I want busted watches, you ask? </div>
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Because I was interested in harvesting the innards for some projects. :)</div>
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At first I was only going to do a post on the finished projects, but I quickly became enthralled with the tiny inner workings of these watches. So I am dedicating this post entirely to the dissecting process, and will hopefully come back later with gear-and-watch-face filled projects.</div>
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I started by opening up the newest of the watches, which was a Jaclyn Smith. </div>
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Finding a screwdriver small enough was impossible. Even the babiest screwdriver seemed massive compared to the screws! Finally my brother had to sand down the tip of a screwdriver until it was practically a knife on the end. So thin! </div>
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Then I moved on to the next newest watch, a Bulova.<br />
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This one was old enough that it didn't have any digital parts, that I could tell. The gears were so incredible looking when I popped the back off that I decided to leave it the way it was. I knew if I pulled it apart I'd never get the gears back together, and I loved the way it looked! </div>
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And finally, my favorite. This old broken down beauty, an Ingersoll Junior pocket watch. </div>
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I can't really explain how fascinating it was to pull these apart and examine them. I'm excited to play around with the parts! We'll have to see what I come up with ... I'm thinking necklaces. :)<br />
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<br />Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-21289443703171819032013-08-16T07:31:00.000-07:002013-08-28T07:07:46.405-07:00Part of the story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Mangosteen, durian, rambutan.</i></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">You have heard those words since you were born. Exotic words from Indonesia. Words that spell-check doesn't recognize. Words for strange fruit that ought to belong in an alien world.</span></div>
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Your parents lived in Indonesia before you existed. All three of your siblings lived there, and they tell stories. Oh, the stories. </div>
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<i><u>Mangosteen</u> </i></div>
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A thick dark purple rind surrounds a mystery. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It was strange that there was a fruit </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I had never even heard of that was commonplace </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>to other people. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It's like you go to a market and pick up this fruit </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>and you have no idea what's inside. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I remember opening it and being surprised</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> at how white the inside was. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The size and shape of the cloves reminded me of garlic. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>You have that in the back of your mind</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> and then you take a bite of it, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>and it's just sweet and juicy. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It's a mystery that soon becomes a part of your life. </i></span></div>
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<i><u>Durian</u></i> </div>
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"The King of Fruit." </div>
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It is the stinkiest fruit in the world. Hedgehog shaped and massive, reeking of all things putrid. Some consider it a delicacy - like stinky cheese or fine wine. </div>
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Fancy Malaysian hotels post "NO DURIAN ALLOWED" signs in their lobbies. </div>
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Your family knows this.</div>
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You hear the stories. </div>
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<i><u>Rambutan</u></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I remember driving down the street</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> with Mom when I was little, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>and we would pass fruit vendors in little huts.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Huge bunches of rambutan hung from the eves, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>alternating with the bunches of bananas. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Big clumps of hairy red fruit. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I thought it was funky. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>But do I have a specific memory about rambutan?<br />That's like asking for a specific memory </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>about strawberries. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>We ate it all the time. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It tastes like my childhood. </i></span></div>
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______</div>
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It is summer 2013. You are living in a medium sized Minnesotan town. Those stories are unreachable now. On the other side of the world, on the other side of time. </div>
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But the stories are inside you, and they won't let go.</div>
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______</div>
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Walking into an Asian store, you are enveloped in the scent of a foreign culture. Smell of spices, fish, unfamiliar fruits, deep frost from blue crabs on ice, cans of fried gluten and pickled eggs and minnow paste and coconut cream, fragrant jasmine rice, suckers made of mango and covered in red pepper, dried peas coated in horseradish, freezers with red bean popsicles, ginger ale with whole ginger roots swirling in the small glass bottles. </div>
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It's a different world.</div>
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And then you see the rambutan.</div>
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They are small and the spines are turning brown on the edges.</div>
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But it doesn't matter.</div>
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This is your chance to experience the stories. </div>
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Your mom won't tell you what's inside. It's a surprise. A mystery, just for you.<br />
You sister-in-law cuts into one as you watch, fascinated as the inside is revealed. It could be anything! Bright colors, small seeds, a large pit. Soft, slimy, crunchy?<br />
She pulls the tough skin back slowly and suddenly squeals laughter, <i>It feels like a cow's eyeball! </i>she exclaims as the fruit pops out of its socket.<br />
<i><br /></i>
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By this time everyone is laughing in delight as if the inside of a rambutan is a miracle.<br />
It is.<br />
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You slice the flesh off of the pit - because guess what? there's a pit too - and you take your first bite.<br />
It is sweet, subtle, exciting.<br />
Slimy? A bit.<br />
It's like a grape without skin.<br />
It's like magic.<br />
You are part of the story.<br />
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Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-3709546628921043242013-08-12T12:38:00.000-07:002013-08-12T12:39:20.055-07:00Art journal: Living with a New Pixie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Art journal entry July 22nd </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE4Z389zye4rI_2DnyVyHfezM2pIjOG8YeXNmolipN5MhcJCjVBK2BabSbp7U7beNEs2JFG7D3Z1YZlqf8syWmHYQq72KFoqm_-AFy6tDktwxtIoCiCtgfHbNBFBsABufryomjQC_UkQR/s1600/paperraindrops+blog+inna+pixie+cut+short+haircut+drawing+brown+paper+sketch+art+journal+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE4Z389zye4rI_2DnyVyHfezM2pIjOG8YeXNmolipN5MhcJCjVBK2BabSbp7U7beNEs2JFG7D3Z1YZlqf8syWmHYQq72KFoqm_-AFy6tDktwxtIoCiCtgfHbNBFBsABufryomjQC_UkQR/s1600/paperraindrops+blog+inna+pixie+cut+short+haircut+drawing+brown+paper+sketch+art+journal+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Color pencil on brown paper</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Living with a New Pixie:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>the Beginner's Guide</i></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Continually scratch your head and surprise your fingers at the lack of hair every time.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Fill your palm with a normal amount of mouse, use what you need, and be left with a sticky hand heaping full of unused product. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Rest your head back against something and expect to hit your ponytail.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Roll over in bed, lifting your head and trying to flick your hair out of the way with a practiced movement you didn't even realize you had.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Enjoy shoving your head under the faucet and having your hair dry within 20 minutes instead of 2 hours.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Be surprised every single time you put on a sweater or put a camera strap around your neck and your hair doesn't get caught underneath it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Realize that bedhead is a rather unforeseen issue. You can't just fix that with a ponytail anymore. Seriously, guys. It's a major problem. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Make sure it is at <i>least</i> a month before you remember that a tiny dot of conditioner is quite enough, thank you very much.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And finally, give it time. It will take about a week before you and your new hair figure each other out. Your hair won't lay right for the first few days, and you won't know how to style it. You have committed to your hair. Be patient and soon you will settle into a new, happy healthy routine! [What is this? Relationship advice for you and your hair?!]</span></li>
</ul>
Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560712026679020879.post-52998846170572674012013-08-11T17:47:00.000-07:002013-08-11T17:47:13.402-07:00Breathe <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Innahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161635109381339637noreply@blogger.com1