Stop motion animation- with photos- yes!

File under: Not sure what it is, but funny.
If you wiggle the address around, it'll take you to his web illustration site. Which is nice, but not hysterical like this.
Also, I should so make one of these. I bet I could con the old Apple into doing something kind of like this.

Month of Softies Love!

Wait a minute. Go here , and then click on the link which will take you here and WHO DO YOU SEE AS THE TOP LISTING?
Am I hallucinating? Or is that MY Chicken softie? MY Chicken softie, which almost nobody clicked on all month.
Was I really listed as the first one? Or is it just showing up like that becuase I am the one who clicked there? What's really, really wierd is that it says that these are the ones that are visible in public searches, and I thought I'd been NIPSA'd. Huh.

Roscoe- Your Daily Dog for 2/28

Roscoe
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

One of Topanga's buddies. He was pretty good about the cone thing.

Creating Stuff Tuesday- a recap

So, before the snow EVEN ARRIVED, I was having a good day. Tuesdays and Thursdays are my creating and sleeping in days. Good days by default.
I bring you: Rabbit Paintings.
This one: "Bigmouth Strikes Again"

Can I get sued for this? Ssshh! No one tell Morrisey! Or any of the other ex-Smiths!
Here's another- "I won't share you"

These are actually part of a set of four Smith songs derived paintings, but you'll have to go to Flickr to see the rest. Also, you should comment, because I like that.
Here's 'Grey Hare'. Nope, no more imaginative names. Sorry.

As usual, part of a set of four. I may not be able to do sets of 12 yet, but we're getting there. Go to Flickr. See more! Be happy!
Also, pom poms are back. I dragged them back from the 1970's. By hand.

Again, Flickr, won't you?
Then the snow started to fall and I just had to make cookies.
A most excellent Tuesday.

Still snowing!

Internet! It's snowing!

Ooh. Bad dark photo. Thank you cell phone.

Daily dog

Pug.mug.
When I don't have to race off somewhere, I drink my morning coffee with her.

It's a scarf.

Turns out not everyone can crochet. Me,for example.

Cell phone roses

If they can put guys on the moon,why can't they put a decent camera into a phone?

Chick softie prototypes

Chick softie prototypes
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

I made one pattern, and tried adding different details. The giant, lumpen one is my first attempt at gusseted seams. They're made from the fleece I bought a month ago that has been cropping up into every.single.project! because I am SO new at this that I did not realize that you can buy fabric in less that one yard increments. Yes. Mark this one down under STUPID. Anywho, there are more photos in this vein over at Flickr.

Snow Fight! Daily Dogs!

Snow Fight!
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

Wishing for snow...getting rain. Here's a favorite from last year.

This weekend in games

Spoons- plastic spoons & teenagers

Spades- with family & junk food

Risk- with family and crochet disaster. Photo to arrive later.

Hughes in front of Gamma Racer

Hughes in front of Gamma Racer, again.
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

I've been on a kick latley reading about insane people. Then they go and inspire paintings. So, here's Howard Hughes, and he's standing front of a plane that he built and he's thinking "Where are the mason jars???"

yawn! daily dog!

yawn!
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

Because it's just so exhausting being a pug! Taken with my old Fuji Finepix.

Chicken bandit softie

Chicken bandit softie
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

So, I finally entered something into The Softie Awards. Whoo. There always seemed to be a really good reason to not, but finally I just bit the bullet and entered, because if I don't just do this, I never will. (That was one long sentence.)And I am really trying to just get out there and share some work. So, here we go...

I finally found an alarm clock that would work for me

It's Clocky!
Ok, so it's maybe slightly scary. But it also comes with a shag covering.

Lounge act- Daily Dog

Lounge act
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

Topanga loves to perch on, well, anything. Sofas and chairs especially.

Hare's breath

Hare's breath
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

You know the expression "hair's breadth"? Well, I read it misheard as "hare's breath" and that's what sparked this painting.
It's acrylic paint on watercolor paper.

I wish I could think of a way to drag this out into a series- it was really fun to paint!

I am so working on new things!

Girl
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

Here's the first one of the set of girls in party dresses. I am aiming for a set of 12, a new thing for me. She looks slightly less freaky in real life. They are all acrylic on paper. You can see more on my Flickr page (I am too lazy to put the link here. Click on the button, over there on the right. The only thing that's moving on this page. Yeah, there you go.) Actually, there's a lot of new stuff on Flickr. That's what I've been up to. My new favorite way to waste time.

Daily dog- Topanga outside

Topanga outside
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

Why you should always read directions- OR- the great cake disaster of ‘07

Inspired by the gorgeous looking little cakes on Posie Gets Cozy, I decided to bring a gorgeous little cake of my own to my Mother-in-law’s this weekend. Her recipe looked so simple (a 1-2-3-4 cake! What could go wrong with that?) Now, let me just say right now, I am not really known for my skills as a bakestress. Rather, I am known for cakes that weep and/or double as anvils. But I had high hopes for this one, yes I did. I had made 2 (!) successful batches of cookies that turned out perfect a few weeks back, and I thought, “Hey, my baking woes are over. I’ve got this great new stove now, and all the horrid baked goods are behind me. I can DO THIS.”



Yeah. A more careful check of the not quite recipe showed that there were certain ingredient measurements lacking, like baking soda and salt. Hm. So I just checked Nigella Lawson’s book and kind of guessed. (A teaspoon? Sounds right.)
Second speed bump: Didn’t check the frosting recipe too carefully either. Did not have enough butter in the house, and had to send Dan out for more. And more sugar. And more confectioner’s sugar. Yes. Ok, now we’re back on track. No problem.
Third alarm: the batter was thick. Really, really thick. Like dough. Or like cement. So I spooned and smooshed that into the pans, and then waited around for those to bake while I desperately wanted to nap instead. Out they pop, and they don’t look half bad. Not sinking anywhere, and they look pretty even. Except for those hard crispy edges. Oh well, I can just cut them off…later.
***NAP***
And we’re back. Those crispy edges proved a little harder to remove than first anticipated. They had hardened quite a bit. Where I removed them, they left big gaping holes. Oh well, nothing that a little frosting can’t fix, right?
So on with the frosting. The recipe (also from posie gets cozy) did mention that the frosting could be temperamental. But I whipped that up in the mixer, no problems. Stuffed it into the pastry bag, no problems. Put little stars on the top, almost no problems. Well, the nozzle clogged, and there were some air pockets, but mostly no problems. Then onto the sides. There were too many holes to not frost the sides. And here is where it all falls apart. Frosting spurts out of the top of the bag. Frosting spurts out in uneven blobs…all over the place. Frosting on my hands. Frosting on the counter. Frosting on the floor.


Dog? Dog! Get in here, dog! Where is that stupid dog when you need her? TOPANGA! ***dog runs into the other room, as far away as she can get from the crazy squealing lady***


Ok, there we go. All frosted. Only…one hour late to the dinner thing. I put the lid on the carrier and oh, my gosh. This is so heavy. Really, really heavy. Ok. Into the car. Before we’re even out of the driveway, the cake slides forward and the carefully piped disaster cake smooshes it’s side against the carrier. For the sake of being even, I rotate it so it’ll smoosh all the sides. Frosting an inch and a half thick on all the cake carrier walls.
***later***
It’s after dinner. It’s time for cake! “Think of it more as a giant cookie.” I advise. “You’ll be happier.” The “cake” had the exact texture of a cookie, actually. It tasted not unlike a cookie, too. A really big, two layer cookie with jam and frosting. A very rich, filling cookie. Really rich. A two bite and you’re done kind of cookie.
“Some people can cook. Some people can bake. You have the gift of cooking. It’s a really useful gift!” In the car, Dan tries to put a nice spin on things.
“I want both gifts!”
“Like Martha Stewart.”
“Yes! Exactly! Martha Stewart.”
Even with the new old stove, I am not so much with the baking.

Why you should always read directions- OR- the great cake disaster of ‘07

Inspired by the gorgeous looking little cakes on Posie Gets Cozy, I decided to bring a gorgeous little cake of my own to my Mother-in-law’s this weekend. Her recipe looked so simple (a 1-2-3-4 cake! What could go wrong with that?) Now, let me just say right now, I am not really known for my skills as a bakestress. Rather, I am known for cakes that weep and/or double as anvils. But I had high hopes for this one, yes I did. I had made 2 (!) successful batches of cookies that turned out perfect a few weeks back, and I thought, “Hey, my baking woes are over. I’ve got this great new stove now, and all the horrid baked goods are behind me. I can DO THIS.”



Yeah. A more careful check of the not quite recipe showed that there were certain ingredient measurements lacking, like baking soda and salt. Hm. So I just checked Nigella Lawson’s book and kind of guessed. (A teaspoon? Sounds right.)
Second speed bump: Didn’t check the frosting recipe too carefully either. Did not have enough butter in the house, and had to send Dan out for more. And more sugar. And more confectioner’s sugar. Yes. Ok, now we’re back on track. No problem.
Third alarm: the batter was thick. Really, really thick. Like dough. Or like cement. So I spooned and smooshed that into the pans, and then waited around for those to bake while I desperately wanted to nap instead. Out they pop, and they don’t look half bad. Not sinking anywhere, and they look pretty even. Except for those hard crispy edges. Oh well, I can just cut them off…later.
***NAP***
And we’re back. Those crispy edges proved a little harder to remove than first anticipated. They had hardened quite a bit. Where I removed them, they left big gaping holes. Oh well, nothing that a little frosting can’t fix, right?
So on with the frosting. The recipe (also from posie gets cozy) did mention that the frosting could be temperamental. But I whipped that up in the mixer, no problems. Stuffed it into the pastry bag, no problems. Put little stars on the top, almost no problems. Well, the nozzle clogged, and there were some air pockets, but mostly no problems. Then onto the sides. There were too many holes to not frost the sides. And here is where it all falls apart. Frosting spurts out of the top of the bag. Frosting spurts out in uneven blobs…all over the place. Frosting on my hands. Frosting on the counter. Frosting on the floor.


Dog? Dog! Get in here, dog! Where is that stupid dog when you need her? TOPANGA! ***dog runs into the other room, as far away as she can get from the crazy squealing lady***


Ok, there we go. All frosted. Only…one hour late to the dinner thing. I put the lid on the carrier and oh, my gosh. This is so heavy. Really, really heavy. Ok. Into the car. Before we’re even out of the driveway, the cake slides forward and the carefully piped disaster cake smooshes it’s side against the carrier. For the sake of being even, I rotate it so it’ll smoosh all the sides. Frosting an inch and a half thick on all the cake carrier walls.
***later***
It’s after dinner. It’s time for cake! “Think of it more as a giant cookie.” I advise. “You’ll be happier.” The “cake” had the exact texture of a cookie, actually. It tasted not unlike a cookie, too. A really big, two layer cookie with jam and frosting. A very rich, filling cookie. Really rich. A two bite and you’re done kind of cookie.
“Some people can cook. Some people can bake. You have the gift of cooking. It’s a really useful gift!” In the car, Dan tries to put a nice spin on things.
“I want both gifts!”
“Like Martha Stewart.”
“Yes! Exactly! Martha Stewart.”
Even with the new old stove, I am not so much with the baking.

Her usual face- Daily Dog

Her usual face
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

This is the expression she wears by default. Half wonder, half confusion. It's actually really hard to capture on film though, because her expression changes when I bring out the camera.

Woof.

Yesterday was a bad art day. I didn't create anything that I liked. Ugh. I guess such days must happen. Tuesday was a great art day- made plenty of things I liked. Hopefully the next time I get to sit down, things will do smoother. I'm working on a series of paintings of girls in party dresses. My new idea is to do things in sets of twelve, to give some vague sense of coherence to my body of work. This is really challenging for me- I usually like to create one thing and then just scamper off to the next random idea. Hopefully by working on several different media projects at once, I can combat the boredom.
So yesterday, I painted two girls in party dresses- one turned out OK except for a few technical issues involving hands and polka dots. (Photos are supposed to be here with this post but the stupid mac book cd drive is giving me FITS and I have a whole disk of NOTHING. GRR. Photos later.) And the other had some paint issues (chunky Golden paint? It's not that old!! Wait, yes it is. Darn.) and quickly went down hill from there. Oh, what a day.
So I consoled myself by making a nice dinner, which actually turned out. Phew. It's nice to know I can still do something well.
Oh, and I uploaded a bunch of new pictures to Flickr. Mostly pugs with tounges sticking out. Go and visit, won't you?

Proof that red dye DOES add flavor

We were given red fortune cookies in little baggies with our Chinese food. Strangely, they tasted much nicer than usual. Almost like a cookie.

The Wurstminster Dog Show pictures are up!!!!

http://www.thewurstgallery.com/artists/wurstminster/jonklassen/index.html
When I grow up, I want to be in an art show like this. From the Wurst's site: "artists were invited to reserve a dog breed on a first come, first served basis. the only requirement was that the artist attempt to capture the look and spirit of their chosen breed in their own unique way."

Anyway, here's one of my dog pictures that has nothing to do with the show:

Pug pastel
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

This one's pastel, drawn from a photo I took.

A good way to kill a year

beaded bowl
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

Actually FINISHED this bowl. FINISHED. WRAPPING. TINY BEADS. WIRE. DONE. So happy. And it doesn't just look like it lists to one side, it DOES. I don't know how that happened. I don't think I could have done that myself if I wanted to. So now I have a big, lopsided, extremely intricate bowl. More photos on flickr.

buddies

buddies
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

My most recent obsession is with making softies.

My first Month of Softies offering

Chicken Softie
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

This month's theme: "I love..."
I love chickens. Here is one.

Cowboy Delicatessen

What kind of deli doesn’t have dill pickle spears? The only one in town, that kind. The kind that caters to the cowpeople.
Part of living in a ridiculously small town is the lack of restaurant options. We have three: bad pizza, bad Chinese, and the deli. The deli makes pretty good sandwiches, if you don’t mind waiting 45 minutes. They’re incapable of making your sandwich the way you want it- they seem to make it the way they think it should be made. “Oh, now who wouldn’t want gobs of shredded lettuce on a vegetarian sandwich? That must be a typo. They just don’t know what they want. Here, pile it on. Add some onions while you’re at it.”
A Subway restaurant is headed to town, to match our big city grocery store. Hm. A sandwich the way I want it in under 30 minutes? That doesn’t seem very country.
One thing about the cowboy deli though- the sandwiches turn out good. This weekend’s bright spot during being grievously ill: a tuna melt with jalapenos. Now that’s an inspiration.
Can tuna melts be dinner? I vote yes.

Pugs in the snow- Daily Dog

Pugs in the snow
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

pugs in the snow
where do you go
to find something you can eat?
to find somewhere you can nap
before it kills you?

Taken during the great (as in 'fantastic') snowfall of '06.

I can see you, Anthony

Someone's going around the day job compound, marking their name on the walls...I've found two so far. This one is on the half wall next to the 4th floor stairs.

This one is written upside down on the rubbery baseboard of the break room.

dancin' queen

dancers
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

Yes, just can't get enough of the 1970's disco references. Here's an attempt with pastel. I'm still figuring out how to do detail. Take the photo with a grain of salt- it's nowhere near that dark. I'm still figuring out photoshop, too.

silly boys

boys
Originally uploaded by chicken widget.

Finally! Something I made is making it to this blog! This is a drawing I did from an old family photo. So old, I don't even know who these boys are. It's finished in watercolor pencil, which is probably not a serious art medium, but you know what? I have had it up to HERE with serious art lately. (Take THAT "Artist" magazines- Take your grey & brown watercolors and BURN THEM!) Watercolor pencils are just fun to use, and I like the way they look. So there.

Daily dog

Green feet
laptop
& pug

You make me feel like dancin'- Those red tights tuck into black cowboy boots, by the way...

Taken at the Rhythm & Motion show in Paradise.

This is what dragged me out of the house and out till 2 am on Saturday: the Paradise Dancers present Rhythm & Motion 5! Cousin N was one of said dancers, so how could I miss this? Attempting to pull everyone together for a family reunion- next to impossible. Attempting to pull them together to see one of our own, dancing? On stage? In front of hundreds? OK! Let me clear my calendar. Nearly all the family showed up, no little thing.
I really, really, enjoyed this. Cousin N appeared in 4 dances- he was Lipschitz in the Cell Block Tango (which completely brought down the house). And can he take a slap well! He gets knocked flat on his back in one of the western numbers. Also, he did the knee test in a 1920’s number. He is fantastic.
**NOTE**- Cousin N is NOT the guy in red tights. REPEAT, he is not the guy in red tights!! That guy was from the Hotel California number. Lip synching. Awesome.
One guy had an amazing mane of big curly blond hair. He looked exactly like Little John from Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Also, he was Little John during the Men in Tights number.
Other highlights: white guy with a massive, natural fro, young guy with a fantastic, less huge fro, and an entire choreographed number based on A Night at the Roxbury. Oh! And a 1920’s dance “The Peabody” done to Ween’s Fancy Pants. Oh my gosh.
Also: I am now spoiled for life. 2nd row, center, is the only way to see a live performance. (Kudos to Auntie P!)

Excellent groundhog photo

Courtesy of Wikipedia