Paaaar-tay

I've been lying low recently and not doing much but riding bikes, swimming, and eating. Ha.

I haven't much moneys right now, so I haven't done anything artsy. But a friend of mine celebrated her birthday by throwing a zombie themed party. In honor of her awesome ways, I made her a zombie unicorn pinata. I didn't make the actual pinata (toooo lazy to go through that), but I bought a horse from a party store and transformed it.

The unicorn part was easy.   Last year, my best bud Gaby and I made a unicorn pinata (for this same friend.  What? She likes unicorns!) and it was so simple.  Just a horn, really.  This year after the horn, I wasn't sure which direction to go.

This is a preliminary photo.  I added blood, scarring, and green skin.  I put black for the eyes, but wasn't sure what to add.  I also added black paper to the left foot to try and create a "missing foot".  It didn't quite work.

This is the finished product.  More blood, and green skin.  I also changed the colors in the tail, but you can't see it here.  There were also pink heart on the front and sides.  I left the front one, but changed the side ones to black and green then added more blood.  I also added blood to the missing foot that you can kind of make out.  I think my favorite part of all is the bloodied horn.

And here is the aftermath.  She really enjoyed the pinata.  She was actually the only gal to hit it since her second swing knocked the body clear off, leaving only the decapitated head dangling for all to see.  Inside, I stuffed the pinata with mini lollipops, fizzy lollipops, whistles, bouncy balls, two normal sized candy bars (for two lucky drunkards), condoms (plain old rubber and festive colored ones!), and smoke bombs!  The smoke bombs were a total hit. 

Overall, the pinata was a hit.  I had a good time making it.  And it was SO cheap.  I had leftover streamers for adding gore and got most of the favors from The Dollar Tree (my fave store since I became so broke).  More than anything, I'm happy happy happy it was a hit with my friend and the party.  I hope she keeps that severed zombie unicorn head forever. 

 

Little Fish

I started a swim class this semester. I took the class on a whim, expecting the worst, but hoping for the best. The first day I swam a measly (& tiring!!) 15 laps. My arms, my legs, my sides were stiffening while I was still in the pool. On the bike ride home, I could barely lift my arms to flip off the couple laughing at my windblown hair from atop their obnoxiously large truck. It was daunting and intimidating knowing just how out of shape I really was.

It should be said that I am not a physical person. I have never played on a sports team nor have I ever taken a dance class or fitness class (aside from the forced Phys Ed in high school). Moving with conviction and force have never been a part of my natural body language, to be honest, I'm just plain clumsy!

I've attempted jogging/running and did it for a good couple months, but the strain seems tough on my body. It didn't seem natural and I was definitely not very good at it. Hell, I could barely run a mile, and that's not even taking into account the huffing, puffing and general red-faced struggling! I have no endurance and no motivation. If I'm tired, I'm tired, end of story. Thus, the running didn't last long and it certainly didn't kick my butt into shape.

The swimming, though, is a different story. I started out with an excruciating 15 laps that left my body in sheer agony for the rest of the week. Now, a little less than two months later, I'm just shy of 40 laps! I feel fit and more toned and, most of all, happier.

I push myself (which is unheard of for me!) and feel good about earning an extra lap or two each day. It's something I can be proud of that is totally different from anything I've done.

It's stress relieving, calming, fun. Am I starting to sound like an advertisement for swim?

The sights of people's undersides drifting in clear chlorinated water is fascinating and down right funny sometimes. And I bet I'm a sight to laugh at too! I wear goggles AND a swim cap. Hahaha.

I didn't mean for this entry to become a reflection on swimming, but I suppose it was subconscious. I've got water on the brain.

This does; however, lead me to my real reason for this post. I feel like my next few crafts/projects will involve swimming, water, oceans, pools, etc. It's starting to affect me to the point where it seems necessary to link it to something else, like crafts, in my life.

...I've still got some craft ideas that need to be followed through on before I can start, but mark my words, I will.

From Russia With Love

I've decide this year I will make holiday cards and send them out, though I don't have many people I'd send them to, it will still be a fun project.

The project has grown since I decided (only a few days ago) to make Matroyshka (Russian nesting dolls) paper cards that accordion fold out. Here's my first example:






It's nothing fancy just yet. I wanted to make some preliminary cards to get the feel for the idea of it and glean some inspiration.

My first thought was to buy holiday-themed card stock, but as I was rummaging through some junk in my room I found some old supplies from my textile design class. I found my old carving tool and even a good chunk of rubber and am going to carve a few stamps. I am either going to stamp plain card stock with the design and use that or use plain card stock, stamp fabric and attach the fabric to the card stock. I also want to go to the Creative Reuse Center and buy knick knacks and odds and ends to add sparkle to the dolls.

Here's two of the cards together. The black one is a bit dreary and definitely not holiday-inspired. Haha.



I'll post pictures of the finished cards sometime soon.