Sunday, September 27, 2009

Modern uses of Renaissance art

I had some time to pass this morning while waiting for Office Max to open so I decided to wander around Target. Who would have thought that I would be giggling in the Halloween decor section?

One of my favorite portraits by Bronzino has been made into a 3D animated lenticular where the portrait changes into a demon, etc. when moved back and forth.


Eleonora di Toledo and Her Son Giovanni de' Medici by Anglo Bronzino, Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence

I was hoping that Target had an image of it on their website, but they don't! They do have two others for sale, a portrait of Queen Elizabeth and (I can't remember who it is) John Randolph or Sir Francis Drake.

Sometimes I find it highly amusing when I see the way art is used today. I wonder what Bronzino would have thought of his portrait being used as a Halloween decoration? Or the Medici family? I'm sure their political rivals would have found them appropriate depictions as demons.

Until next time!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Mail goodies!

Look what I received in the mail today!



I had won a copy of Marissa Doyle's book Bewitching Season from her and Regina Scott's blog Nineteen Teen! Ms. Doyle threw in some extras such as a lovely fan that says "History has never been so cool," and a magnet that features the cover art from Betraying Season, the newest book by Marissa.

I can't wait to read Bewitching Season ;)

Thanks Marissa for having such a great blog! ^___^

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Apple Pie





My aunt made a homemade apple pie today with apples that she had brought back from Michigan! Yummy ;)

Until next time!

Pesky blind stitch!

Hi, everyone! I've spent part of the day helping my sister do some school research and then sewing together some pillows out of my small cross stitch designs.

I stitched up two Christmas designs, which turned out to be disasters, but at least they were small designs so I can always stitch them again ;)

I had more success with my Autumn Has Come design.





What do you think? I did better on the blind stitch on this pillow than on the other two designs. I think the next time I sew a pillow I'm going to start going around so that my blind stitched area will be on the bottom ;)

Not bad for my third try at this stitch today! I'm not even going to show you the other two as they are the craziest things you will ever see O_o"

Until next time!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Five Little Pumpkins


Design: Five Little Pumpkins by JBW Designs
Threads: DMC
Fabric: 28ct evenweave antique white M.C.G. Textiles
Start/Finish: 9/11-13/2009


I need to buy some small black beads to finish the pumpkins' eyes ;)

I don't know how I'm going to finish this design, but I'll think of something!

Until next time ^____^

Autumn Harvest finish!

Look what I made on Saturday!!





I actually SEWED this pillow! I was so nervous, but with the encouragement of my family, I was able to finish it without running away from the sewing machine in terror!

Until next time!

Pumpkin pinkeep

Hi, everyone! I had stitched up the JBW Alphabet Pumpkin earlier this month. I finally got a chance to finish it as a pinkeep last week.













I used two different types of ribbon around the edge of the pinkeep and green pins.

My aunt fashioned me a bow on the top, which I secured with a pumpkin pin. I made a bunch of pumpkin pins a while back from fimo clay :) It was fun!!

Until next time!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Pumpkin bread

Hi! Despite the dreary weather today, I went by the store and got some groceries to make chocolate chip pumpkin bread! I found the recipe in Southern Breeze, a local magazine.





It is definitely a crowd pleaser and a great taste of fall :)

Until next time!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

The Law of Nines

1. If you haven’t read the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind, please disregard this crazy rambling of mine!!!

2. Please read that series if you love fantasy novels ;)

When I saw that the newest book by Terry Goodkind had hit the shelves I couldn’t wait to get it home and devour it, especially with the synopsis of being a ‘new thriller’ by the author.

After reading the last page, I was extremely disappointed. Sadly, The Law of Nines is a modern retelling of Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series with the protagonist being Alexander Rahl, a descendant of Richard Rahl.

Normally, I would never complain about a Goodkind novel, but the entire plotline in the Law of Nines was a repeat of his first book Wizard’s First Rule. Alexander saves a young lady named Jax who has come to ask for his help. The peace of her world, Richard Rahl’s world, has been destroyed by people who want to get rid of magic. Jax has traveled between the two worlds to reach Alexander, the only man who could help save her world from destruction because he is named in the Law of Nines prophecy.

If you are a Goodkind fan, you know what I’m talking about with the plots being similar between the Sword of Truth series and his newest book. Alexander/Jax meet Richard/Kahlan! Vanis/Cain meet Darken/Jagang. (sigh)

I’m betting the book that was mentioned in The Law of Nines is a book of prophecy from Richard Rahl’s world or at least something quite similar to it. And Alexander’s ability to activate the gateway between the worlds surely means that he has the ability to use magic.

I won’t lose hope in Terry Goodkind’s writing! Maybe the second book will be better…maybe Alexander can travel between worlds! I would much rather read about Terry Goodkind’s fantasy world compared to his modern retelling of the same story!

Until next time!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Autumn Finish!








Design: Autumn Has Come by Helga Mandl - GOS Sept. 09
Threads: DMC
Fabric: 28ct antique white linen by M.C.G. Textiles
Start/Finish: 9/06-07/2009


I can't wait to start another fall design ;)

Until next time!

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Autumn Has Come


Design: Autumn Has Come by Helga Mandl - GOS Sept. 09
Threads: DMC
Fabric: 28ct antique white linen by M.C.G. Textiles
Start: 9/6/2009


This pattern seems apt for the changing weather on the Gulf Coast. It is still warm during the days, but the mornings are getting cooler with an abundance of squirrels wandering around gathering acorns.

I couldn't resist starting this pattern after seeing it in the latest issue of GOS. It features a cute squirrel, pumpkins, fall leaves, and acorns.

I hope everyone in the States is having a great Labor Day weekend!

Until next time!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Austen Geek Alert: New Masterpiece Theatre drama!



Exciting news! Masterpiece Theatre has readapted Jane Austen’s Emma with a new mini-series due out in the States in 2010! *squeal*


I can hardly wait! The lovely Romola Garai (Atonement, Vanity Fair) will play Emma and her hypochondriac father will be played by Michael Gambon (Cranford, Wives and Daughters, HP’s Dumbledore).

Why can’t it be 2010 yet? (sigh) There are so many great movies due out!

Until next time!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Alphabet Pumpkin


Design: Alphabet Pumpkin by JBW Designs
Threads: DMC 722, 3012, and Crescent Color Old Oak Tree
Fabric: 28ct cream cashel Zweigart
Start/Finish: 9/1/2009


I got a few cross stitch goodies in the mail yesterday from Down Sunshine Lane. I couldn't resist starting one of the newest designs by JBW this morning.

It reminds me of everything I love during this time of year. The start of school, the coming fall season, and Halloween. I think I will always miss going to school everyday. What can I say? I'm a geek to the core :)

Until next time!