scanning negatives

This is something I have been looking into for a long time. I have contemplated and then scrapped the idea of buying a scanner just for negatives. The last time I looked into things, I found a few ways to scan negatives with a regular flatbed scanner. I read a few reviews of the methods and they were meh, at best. One thing I did find was someone being a nice troll (is that a thing?) a leaving comments in those methods that said,"Hey, do this instead. It actually works." So, the this instead? Let me jump back a little bit:

In order to scan negatives properly, the light has to reflect back into the scanner. Most flatbed scanners have the white cover on top, not really allowing for reflection. One method that I haven't tried because I'd like to modify it is creating a reflective triangular dome with silver cardstock. This was the method that people were "meh" about. The method that the nice troll kept adding was to open a white screen on your smartphone (I used a blank Pages document on my iPhone), place behind the negatives on the flatbed and leave it open. The above image is my very first results with this. It's a ten year old photo from my Photo I days. The next few I'll add were supposed to be a step-by-step photo essay practice for Photo II so that we could practice creating multi-windowed mats. I don't remember if I actually used this, or created something else to tell a story. It's funny to look back at all of these ten year old negatives. Now I can just get my negatives developed without paying for them to be scanned in at high resolutions! Ayyy! Saving money :) Soon, I'll be developing my own film at home. ~dances~

I could have cleaned these up a LOT better with Photoshop, but I was so excited I had to share. Photoshop = way easier to use that inking photos to fix dust and hair, let me tell you! If you're actually using this as advice, don't forget to invert your negatives because they're negatives, duh, and correct contrast, etc.

teach yourself

Today, I used this video to learn how to knit in the round. Whoa, boy. That required a lot of patience and even removing a lot of rows of stitches. It was such a bummer to see all of the yarn once knit together now in a curly pile. I was going to give up. Instead, I took a break, watched some tv, and picked it up once more. I was determined. And you can tell by the second photo that I succeeded in knitting in the round. Wow. Wowie wow. I'm excited for this cowl. It'll be pretty.

Things have been pretty normal around here for me. Matt and I saw Interstellar and I still need to see Nightcrawler. I've been working on a novel for NaNoWriMo. I try to partake every year, but this one is a little bit different. I've been doing character development while writing. I have scenes written that I plan on weaving into the story. It's pretty amazing how each year, I try to do something different. We'll see how this one pans out. This will definitely not make the deadline of November 30th. *nail bite* In other news, VSCO released a new version on their app on iOS devices which allowed for one to create their own journals alongside their grids. With encouragement from VSCO, I created two journals for my grid: CHICAGO || COMMUTE As always, the VSCOGrid is updated regularly.

and another thing

I never explained what I gave to Matt for our one year anniversary. I hinted in a previous post that it was something super secret. Like I was saying, I like to make things to make them personal. I'm doing the same with his birthday present, which is six days away. Will I finish that in time? Goodness, I hope so! Anyways, back to what I made. So I created a scrapbook by hand utilizing this tutorial from Design Love Fest. It was tricky, but worth it. I then filled it with significant moments throughout the year, as well as some goofy shots and anecdotes. He loved it, but since I didn't just want to make him something, I also bought him an Arya Stark POP vinyl figure, as well as Gonzo from the Muppets because that is his spirit animal. I was very excited to have accomplished that in the small amount of time I could work on it. He enjoyed it, I'm happy he enjoyed. Win-win-win-win-win.

blah blah blah-it's hot

It is really hot, ok? I usually don't use the A/C in the car because for the majority of the year, Wisconsin is really cold. We bitch and moan about how summer should get here already, but when summer is here, we seek refuge in air conditioned cars and homes. It doesn't make sense, well, other than sleeping at a comfortable temperature, but A/C in the car? I'll sweat it out for a few minutes to feel the slight breeze as I drive. This morning, however, I did turn on the A/C in the car.
This past weekend, we saw Pacific Rim, which was exciting. Matt and I had very similar reactions at certain points in the movie. It was pretty great. Afterwards, we went to Walter's for Catey's birthday. That was fun, as usual. I've just been trying to keep cool. Something I have been working on, though, explains the photograph above.

Before Hazel graced us all with her presence, I promised Mary I would make Hazel a little owl plush. I was unsure of where to get the fabric from, but I knew I would probably have to visit Joann's or something. I didn't realize something more personal would present itself. That shirt up there was one of the first shirts I bought when I switched out of the cafe. It's one of my favorite shirts and has traveled from NYC to California. I have gotten loads of compliments on it and it's just a $12 shirt from H&M. It had a tiny rip in the armpit area, but no big. A couple weeks ago, I was reaching down to grab some bags at work and I felt that rip open up. I was bummed that my favorite shirt would have to go in the trash, but I couldn't let it go. I then had the brilliant idea to make Hazel's plush from the remaining fabric of my favorite shirt. I washed it and set to work on this project.

I started this Monday night and hopefully, with another day off tomorrow, I can finish it. All the stitching I do is by hand because a) that's how I learned and b) I don't own a working sewing machine. Hand-stitching will take a lot longer, but it makes it more personal and special. I remember when I was about four or five,my aunt taught me how to sew by hand. In retrospect, it's kind of strange that little ol' me was sitting on the couch, watching cartoons and trying to follow the drawn on letters in a straight line. I'm grateful for it, though, because I now can share those skills with others. That's pretty great.

diy wall art

I bought two canvases, one for a very belated Valentine's Day present for Matt. The other was for me to experiment with something for my room.
I wanted a chevron pattern so I used masking tape. I mixed up a light robin's egg blue color and applied it to the entire canvas.

Once you remove the masking tape, it creates whatever pattern you taped down. You could also use painters tape. I used acrylic paint and then used my favorite quote from my favorite book. Either the pattern can be left alone or you could add a quote like I did. I did everything freehand so it's all my own handwriting. It's perfect for my little reading area and I look forward to adding more wall hangings to my room so the walls aren't so bare.

finished knitting project and a new one, too

I did it. This past Sunday, I finished my very first knitting project. It was supposed to be a scarf, but given its width, it's more like a throw blanket. And I love it. I'm so proud that I finished this project in time for our knit-a-thon (more on that in a moment). Of course, my teacher, Mary, had to show me how to bind off and bring a darning needle so I could weave in the ends, but this experience taught me a lot.

Mary said something very true as she was teaching someone else to knit at the knit-a-thon. "Knitting taught me to be patient with myself and to let things go. I used to be very hard on myself, but it has helped me overcome that." It was profound and very true. We can be our own harshest critics. I know that I am the most hard on myself than anyone else has ever come down on me. When I knit, though, I just let the clink of the needles and the steps I have to go through fill my head. Everything else just washes away. I knit while I watch tv, sure, but I do enjoy knitting in silence or with my headphones on. It has become another form of therapy for me and I am enjoying it immensely.
So, the knit-a-thon. A lot of us at work already knit or are willing students. Matt even wants to learn at this next one so we'll see how that goes. The knit-a-thon came about when Brian told us about his volunteering for a church that helps out the homeless in our community. We've donated clothes, blankets, and other things to help these down-on-their-luck people stay warm during these frigid Wisconsin winters. Scarves are easy and some of the more advanced people are also doing hats to donate. Brian was deeply touched by all of our interest in it and thus, the knit-a-thon was born. We met at our favorite bar this last time to enjoy some fried food and an old fashioned or two, but the next one we have in the works will be hosted by another co-worker, Sarah. I plan on photographing this one, but I'd like to share the scarf I started and casted-on all by myself. I love the color and smaller width is making this go quicker.
Aside from finishing this scarf and starting another one for the next knit-a-thon, I also have projects lined up for my brother, my mom, and Matt. I'm perfectly fine with staying in this winter, watching good movies, and knitting up a storm. I hope that with practice in scarf making, I can move on to something scary, like a hat or, if I become overly ambitious, a sweater o_o That won't be for a while, though.

b*tches be crafty

The other day, I was G-Chatting with my wonderful friend, Laura, about our craft store experiences. The Michaels I go to is pretty huge and feels dead up until you get to the cash register. Then it seems like everyone decided to check out at the same time. Yesterday was actually the first time I was able to just walk up to the cashier and check out right away, but I guess it was still early in the day. Laura went to a Joann Fabrics near her place in Chicago and said that the checkout line wrapped around the store. Laura always says the greatest things that usually become inside jokes that we use for years ("I thought it was just an expression!" came up at the Beach House show and she first said it ten years again, haha) so when she said,"Bitches be crafty!" I literally laughed out loud, even though we were just typing back and forth.

Being crafty isn't necessarily a bad thing. Talking to a co-worker yesterday, I actually feel like I'm getting stuff done while I catch up on TV and knit at the same time. Yep, a week-long knitter and I've already got my routine down. I don't want to sound like a braggart, but I've been showing my teacher, Mary, my progress every chance I get and she's like,"Dude, you've got talent!" I even added a new ball of yarn all by myself! I'm so proud. It's very rare that I do something and not beat myself up about how I could've done better. 'Tis my burden.

What else am I doing craft-wise? I'm making my first plush! Sweet, beautiful, wonderful dear little Erin is turning 21 (FINALLY!) January first. I've been planning her birthday presents for a very long time. I started a note on my phone in October so I wouldn't forget any good ideas I had, especially since she killed it with my present. I came up with this plush (I won't say what it is because then it'll ruin the surprise) as a way to make something unique and super personal for Erin. I hope she loves it and I look forward to posting about it once she receives it. In the mean time, I'll just continue to be crafty, and you should, too!

a journey to knit

Something that I have always wanted to learn how to do, but never took the time to learn was to knit. At one point, I had attempted to, but this was before the age of youtube and I never thought to ask people that I knew how to knit. Today, my pal Mary was kind enough to go with me to the craft store to purchase yarn and needles. I found a yarn I really loved at first. I was unable to put it down after seeing all of the other selections so I'm very happy with the color scheme. I really wanted purple and the ombre yarn works so well. Mary was very patient with me and I learn best by watching others so I keep working on scarves so that I can be prepared for the knit-a-thon we have planned for later in December. I truly cannot wait and also found a nice yarn color scheme that I can use for a scarf for Matt. I'm going to be a knitting fiend now! And I could not be more excited.

a case of hives

Yesterday and today, I had a case of hives. I think I narrowed it down to using a different dryer sheet. I was itching like crazy! I stayed home and felt horrible. To distract myself last night, I made a little notebook that I'm turning into a planner.

I braved the outside world today for pancakes with Alex. Also, a gigantic omelette. We weren't able to finish everything so we took leftovers. Alex ended up giving me his omelette to take. I can't wait to try it. It's a fiesta omelette, with pico de gallo, chorizo, and cheddar cheese. I needed some things from the store, like jellybeans and hair conditioner. Hah, notice my priorities are the jellybeans. I was rather disappointed with what was left over. However, I'm glad that I only got the little eggs that I did because I probably would've eaten the entire bag of Starburst jellybeans if I found them 50% off. I also bought another lip balm from Maybelline. I love this stuff. It's my third time buying it. The first time I repurchased it was because I thought I lost my first one in the abyss of my car. It turned up so I gave it to Jessica. Well, one day, my replacement fell out of my pocket! Ahhh! Today, I finally thought to buy another one and they only had grape vine. I'm usually a cherry gal, but I'm falling in love with this one.

DIY: Christmas bunting

I have seen a couple of bunting tutorials on other blogs (here & here). Ever since, I have wanted to try my hand at making one. Here's a picture tutorial of what I did:

(l to r) rubber cement, pencil, felt-tip black pen, poster paint marker, scissors, packing tape, twine, and construction paper.






My bunting says, "¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!"