New Obsession- Perler Beads

I know that I'm a little late hopping on the perler bead train.  However, the prospect of creating 8-bit works of art was too alluring.  So I bought myself a big tub of 20,000 something beads and have been having so much fun with them.  The first thing I made was a star to top our Christmas tree.

 

 Health potion?  Yes, I'm a dork.

I sorted out some of my beads on my Lady Lovely Locks tv tray while watching Daria.  It was like being stuck in some crazy time vortex.  I appreciate Daria's cynicism so much more as an adult.

My husband was thrilled about the little Link I made him.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to be making every Final Fantasy and Zelda character in perler beads. 

I was hoping to make some jewelry (necklaces, brooches, and earrings) from perler beads, but I'm afraid the designs will be too big.  I'll have to do some more experimenting.  Have you all worked with perler beads?  If so, do you have any advice?

Yarn Bombing

June 9th is International Yarn Bombing Day, so in preparation, here's a super simple DIY yarn bomb that you can do even if you don't know how to knit or crochet!  I bombed a small tree in my yard, but you can use a pole, stair railing, or anything that a scarf will fit around.

 Here's what you'll need....

I used a scarf that I crocheted, but if you have an old one lying around, use it!  I used a similar color yarn to my scarf to attach it, but if you don't have any yarn, you can also use string or even fishing line.  

 Now, run your yarn through the needle (the bigger the needle the better).  Put it through the bottom edge corner of the scarf and bring it through until you come to the end.  Now knot it off like below.

 Now you'll want to position your scarf around the tree (or whatever else you're bombing).  All you have to do now is whip stitch to connect the edges of the scarf.  There's a great video on how to whip stitch here, but you don't have to be nearly that neat or precise about it.  Just an long as you pull your stitches tight and connect the two edges, that's all that matters.

Stitch all the way to the end, knot off the yarn, and you're done!!!  Now, I can't attest to how well this is going to hold up in the weather, since it hasn't rained at my house in weeks.  But it should hold up pretty well.  Actually, the cheaper the scarf or yarn you use the better, since the materials are less organic and less likely to decompose.

Now go forth and bomb away!!!!

Amazing Anime- Beelzebub

(via: angryanimebitches)

Finally I think I might get on a normal blogging schedule, providing that I have internet for more than 20 minutes at a time.  Anywoo, I'm currently watching the anime Beelzebub, which is becoming one of my favorites.  The story is kind of absurd if you're just reading it.  It's about a high school kid named Oga, who finds himself in the position of being the parent of a baby demon lord.  The high school he attends is made up of delinquents whom Oga fights on a regular basis.  Because the baby demon lord Beelzebub (or Baby Beel) needed someone strong to raise him, he choose Oga for his superior fighting skills.  The problem is that Oga doesn't want anything to do with him.  However if Oga gets more than 15 feet away from Baby Beel, he'll die.  So the story follows them around on their adventures and so on.

The best part of this anime is Baby Beel.  He never says anything, but his reaction to situations cracks me up.  The below video does a good job of summing it up.  Ok, so the humor might be a bit crude but I love it!!!

Cherry Blossom Festival

 

 My husband and I had a lovely time at the Cherry Blossom Festival this year.  It's great to see so many people come out to just enjoy being outside and enjoy nature for a while.  I love that there were people dressed in cosplay, martial arts demonstrations, and people playing go.  This event lets me pretend that I'm in Japan, even if it's just for a moment!

Have you had a chance to enjoy the spring weather yet? 

11 Random Things

I was inspired by Amanda over at Apple Blue to do a modified version of the "11 Things" post.  

1.  I used to be goth.  About 13 years ago (gosh I feel old), there was a little adolescent/teen girl who LOVED Marilyn Manson, black nails, hair, and clothes, and rhinestone-studded dog collars.  It's amazing how much I absolutely did not give a flip what anyone thought of me.  I really should have bottled some of my spirit up and saved it for later in life.

2.  I used to paint in high school.  I had a really great art teacher and he was a fantastic mentor.  He brought out a creativity and confidence that I didn't know I had.  Another reason to support the arts in public schools!
 

3.  My dad took me owl calling when I was a child.  I know most of you are like WTF, but seriously, owl calling is a thing.  Just to clarify, my dad is a biologist and ornithologist.  We would go out at dusk and he had a tape of a Barred Owl and he would play it to call in the owls.  Of course at the time I thought it was the most boring thing ever.  Now I would have my camera out and be thrilled to see some owls.

4.  I wanted to be an interior designer.  I started out college with my mind made up that I was going to be an interior designer.  I ended up with a Bachelor's of Business Administration.  I think I made a good choice.

5.  My favorite instrument is the cello.  I wish I had some kind of musical talent, or I would try taking it up.  

6. I have never lived outside of Alabama.  When I was younger, the first thing I wanted to do when I graduated high school was to get the heck out of Alabama.  Well, I'm still here.  My husband reminds me that a place is just a place, it's what you make of it that matters.  Although I am beginning to agree with his thinking, I would still like to live somewhere else at least once in my life.

7. My favorite food is curry.  Thai, Indian, or Japanese, it's all good.  I seriously think I could eat it everyday.  

8.  I'm currently obsessed with NCIS.  I don't know why, but I love it.  I've been watching nothing but reruns of it.  I think a part of me wants to become Abby.

9.  I worked behind a diner-style grill for a week.  When the tornadoes came through the South last year, Tuscaloosa was severely impacted.  The day after the devastation, instead of going to work at the Amphitheater to sell tickets, I ended up cooking breakfast and lunch for the emergency workers for a week straight.  It was actually great to be doing even a small thing to help.  I also got to eat dinner with Charlie Sheen when he visited the area.  He brought us a ton of meals to distribute and we were pretty grateful for a break!  I cooked literally hundreds of burgers and I believe I am qualified to work at the Waffle House now. 

10.  I love baking.  I just don't like having too many sweets around to tempt me.  I just had my first cake balls a few weeks ago and they were eye-opening.  I can't wait for an excuse to make some. 

11.  I have to look at the Celebrity Sightings photos on MSNBC every weekday.  I have no idea why I am OCD about checking them.  Maybe it's just habit.  I could really care less about celebrities, but I guess it just gives me something to look forward to everyday!


I would absolutely love to hear your "11 Random Things"!

I'm a nerd

So, I feel like I need to just be upfront and honest.  In case you didn't already know, I'm a nerd.  I totally used to play World of Warcraft. I was a level 80 Mage.  It was fun.  It also took up a ton of my time, so much so that I decided it just wasn't worth playing.  I still play video games from time to time (I love Dragon Age and Skyrim), but I try to limit it to small chucks of my day.

The music video featuring World of Warcraft is one of my favorites.  Jonathan Coulton is hilarious, and I LOVE this song!  It's so catchy that if I hear it I'll have it stuck in my head for days.  Check it out!