It's that time of year again...

Despite how stressful shopping for Christmas presents can be, this year I've been filling my study breaks scoping out gifts for my loved ones. However good my intentions, my "shopping" usually just devolves into looking at crafts on Etsy. So if you're anything like me you haven't gotten very far down your gift list. Well look no further! Yours truly is selling some handmade jewelery and crafts this year. I've got handmade charms, such as this lovely skull and bow (cupcakes or chili peppers charms, not pictured, for your sweety or lil hottie!), as well as beaded bracelets, hemp necklaces, and even some prints, if you're into that.

If there is something specific you have in mind, I might even be able to make it for you (all the handmade goodness without you having to make it yourself!). Hit me up and I'll hook you up for cheap (cause I'm a poor college student, remember?).

Skateboard Deck Design

For my graphic design class, I got to design a skateboard deck. I've gotta say, this was a really fun project, despite being a school assignment. I even got to learn some new techniques in Illustrator, which I'm finding I like more than Photoshop. If you have any feedback on the design, I'd love to hear it. I'm trying to improve, and nothing is better for improvement than (constructive) criticism. Also, if you'd like to see a larger version of the design, you can do so over at my deviantART account, Here.

Last month I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to open for some amazing musicians (Neon Grasshopper, Andreza, Andy Asteroids) at my favorite local venue. My amazing artist boyfriend was able to snap some pretty nice pictures with his fancy camera.

It was a challenge to get in enough practice in between classes, and I was a little rusty, but it was no doubt one of the most fun shows I've played.

As much fun as the show was, it was also bitter sweet. Andy Asteroids and Andreza are breaking up and Neon Grasshopper is relocating. And I'm back to playing only when I get a break from school, which isn't very often.

It was great to see some of Huntsville's best local bands all in one show, but sad knowing that it was one of their last shows. Still, it was a great experience getting to open for them all.

What's your favorite local band?

Colorado!

To conclude my summer travels for the space weather summer camp, I got to go to Boulder, Colorado. It was beautiful, and the weather was amazing.

I was able to go to the Rocky Mountain National Park and hike up a trail to a waterfall. It is definitely a highlight of my entire summer. I love hiking and this was one of the most beautiful hikes I've ever been on, second only to one in Costa Rica.

Like all of the places I've been lucky enough to visit this summer, I only hope that one day I can go back (with Chad <3).

Next travel goal: New Orleans

Germany, Part 2

I'm back from Germany! Unfortunately, I did not have internet access during my last week there, so I haven't been posting as many pictures as I would have liked, but here are some highlights.

This is a Doner Kebab. It is one of the most delicious foods ever. They have many doner restaurants scattered around the cities in Germany. It's similar to a gyro, but it has different sauce and salad on it. And it's about as big as your face, for only 2 or 3 Euros. I'm definitely sad there are none of these locally.

This is the Baltic Sea beach at Juliusruh the only clear day we had. It rained every other day we were there. At least there was this beautiful sunset to make up for it!

We got to visit the city of Stralsund for a day. It was lots of fun just getting to walk around and look at the architecture. We also got to visit the aquarium there, which was very interesting. Plus it was one of the most beautiful days of weather we experienced while in Germany.

Germany, Part 1

Here's my first update from Germany! I've been here since Sunday and so far it's pretty awesome. My trip over went very smoothly (even getting through the JFK airport!). Window Seat :)

The food is so delicious! This is Kartoffeln, or potatoes.

All of the buildings look cool, and most of the houses have extensive flower gardens. These pictures are all from the first town we have visited, Neustrelitz. It's a little town by most people's standards, but it is very nice.

There is a big traffic circle at the town center and a lake and a small park. Over the couple of days we have been here we've gotten to walk around the entire town. I can't wait to see the next town! More posts to come soon, hopefully :)

Ciao!

Food Making

Lately I've been trying to summon up my Home Ec. skills and experiment with cooking. So far so good. Here's a picture of my manicotti. Supposedly the recipe comes from my great grandmother who came from Sicily, but it's suspiciously similar to the recipe on the noodle box. Coincidence? I think not. Obviously, Barilla stole my great-grandmother's recipe for their own. Regardless, it was delicioso.

Before the oven:

After the oven: Golden brown and yummy!

The End

On the way to the eye doctor today, I saw the Tree again. It has been cut down, reduced to an unimpressive pile of limbs and brush.

One more time

There is a tree that I found driving to school. I don't know what kind of tree, I'm not really into that, but it is beautiful and old. It is all by itself on the side of a country road, next to some rural farmland and across the way from a county jail. In high school I took many pictures of it for various photography projects. I'd stop on the side of the road on the way to/from school, and on a few occasions drove out to see it just to take a picture in the right weather, like when it snowed one year.

I have winter, spring, and summer pictures, but I never managed to get a fall picture. I don't generally get sentimental about things, but I really should have gotten that fall picture.
April 27, 2011, the tree was destroyed by the half mile wide tornado that tore through Limestone and Harvest. Yesterday I drove through the area on my way to Athens, and for old-time's sake I stopped and took a picture.



I saw many trees larger than this one torn out of the ground, roots and everything. But this one is resilient. It's battered, but alive; sad instead of beautiful. Seeing this kind of destruction all around me for the past 2 months has reminded me of how lucky I really am.
R.I.P. Tree.

DIY Vintage Vest

With the help of my mother, who's crafty enough to make her own clothes when she feels like it, I put this casual vest together. It's made from actual vintage fabric my mother had from the 70's and a pattern (which I altered a bit...) circa I'm guessing the 80's. I think it turned out to be a cute and simple way to dress up a tank top without adding too many layers for the summer heat. Not too bad for my first clothing project, if I may say so myself!



Next sewing project: retro A-line skirt!

Diamonds and Lace

This is my first airbrush project! Small square canvases arranged in a diamond pattern, done with acrylic paint. I used lace as a stencil and layered yellow and green paint to get the lime color. It was super easy and cheap, plus pretty fun and good practice using the airbrush (which I'm currently being taught how to use by my awesome boyfriend). Hopefully more to come!

The Zombie Apocolypse is Upon Us, and It Never Sounded Better

Not completely unrelated to the last post, Social Jet Lag has released a video for their song "Where did they Hyde Dr. Jekyl?" off of their recently released album The Monster Inside...Music and zombies, what's not to love?

Brains and Stuff

Zombie Pro Tip:

Cherry Kool-Aid + Corn Syrup = tasty textured blood for zombie make up


Photography by Melissa "Lulu" from Social Jet Lag