craft ideas

So I have been thinking about what I want to do next year for crafting.  I have some must do items that will be group "classes".  I am going to try and make a list here with some links to what has inspired me.

1. Bra and skirt for Moonhaven women (sewing class for belly dancers) inspiration Sparkly belly tuts.
   
2. Granny Square circle.  Ok this is another group project that hopefully can be done on multiple scales.  First group all crocheting the same square (easy to teach), reach end of color fasten off, and pass your skein to the next in circle.  Each square will be the same but with varying color patterns. Varition: Same passing concept but using different patterns that require the same number of colors each. Inspiration:
   
3. Ripple Blanket.  I have been wanting to do this since I first picked up my crochet hooks.  Grandmother made one that was Autumn colors that I have always loved.  I want to make one to have in my home.  Inspiration:
   
4. Lolita Dress for Grace.  Inspiration:
   
5. Snuggy for Jason (material purchased)

I have various other small projects but these are my big ideas for right now.

Life in the whirlwind

So much in so little time.  I had the hafla, the wedding and the Yellow house gig all thin past few weeks.  I am so looking forward to having a down weekend.  No place to go, nothing to do!  I will be so nice just to hang out with the husband.  Granted I will be cleaning most of the weekend but no rushing around.

The Hafla for Humanity was an amazing event this year.  I did not get to dance since I fell down and sprained my ankle pretty badly.  I am still recovering today.  That did not stop me from participating by being the MC for the event.  I am looking forward to dancing next year.


Shortly after the Hafla came Jenns'a wedding.  I was photographing the event so it was exhausting.  I did dance as well but only in few songs and I stayed in the back cause I still hurt.  It is always an honor to participate in my friend's special day.




Now we are slowing down into the holiday season.  I am going take some time and really rest up my ankle.  I am also going to be working on a few costume ideas that are circling my head.

Tarot reader

I am a tarot reader.  I really love collecting tarot and reading with my Arthurian deck.  I have not been very active over the pass few years.  I am looking to change that.  I actually have a "gig" for being a fortune teller.  I am really looking forward to it.

I am also a little nervous since it has been so long.  May be I should do some warm ups in the next few weeks.

I am going to go over my intro to reading tarot.  This is not how to read tarot but what i tell my clients. I use client cause I am offering a service but I am not usually asking to be paid.  Tips are always welcome

Hi there soandso.  I am going to be reading your cards today.  I do want to let you know a few things.  What I see and say is written in sand.  Just like life it is not set in stone it all can changed.  I suggest using what we learn here as a guide.  Now clear your mind and think about what you need assistance with.

I did not say I will read your future.  Sometimes yes I see what MAY be down the line.  But more often I see a general path.  I cannot usually tell you if you will marry and have kids.  But I may be able to tell that is what you want and identify those who will help or hinder.

My favorite reading was done for a friend who never had her cards read but I needed to practice so she agreed.  She has always been one for new experiences.  Most of her reading was about settling into her new life (they had just moved to the area a few months before).  I am going through picking up on an anxiety,  I get to one card and stop.  I know this card can mean babies...but she had not said anything about wanting or trying for kids...  I giggle and say this card is about a pregnancy but I don't think it could mean that, lets move on and come back to him.  we go through the reading and forget to touch back on this card.  Well, a month later she announced her pregnancy.  I was floored.  One, at her amazing poker face, she was pregnant during the reading after all.  Two, that my cards knew.  She is now a happy mother of 2 very settled in her community.


My other strongest memory for a reading was done in college.  I was sitting in the dorm lobby reading for a few friends when a floormate asked to be read.  I was hesitant, she was not known for being the most open minded woman.  I gave her the above statement and tacked on that once she said stop it all stops.  As in all the cards get put back in the deck and the reading comes to a full stop.  I will not even try to finish a reading after being asked to stop.  She nodded her consent and we started.  I will not speak of the reading's subject but I will say it was emotional.  I was taking it slow, trying not to upset her.  I think we got about half way in and she suddenly said stop.  I look up to see her on the verge of tears.  I nod quietly gather up the cards and just sit with her for a few moments.  She said "Thank you, I did not think this was real.  But you just started getting close to implying things I don't want to talk about."  She got up and left.  She and I were never friends before or after the reading but we were always respectful to each other.

These are always the 2 readings I think of when I return to readings.  They show me the scale of what I can do with my cards.

Dance stuff

I know this is my new obsession and I am loving it so deal.

Last night I went home to work on my outfit for Saturday.  Yes, I really should already have it done but nope.  Last night I managed to get my pants done.  I am excited.  They are so pretty.  I decided to use Velcro to close it in the back.  Tonight I need to resize the top (my mistake) and finding a better closure.  Still I am very excited.

The Global Hafla

My studio's hafla is just around the corner and I am so excited.  This year I am 3 dances!

I will be adding more about the event in this slideshow.



I am really hoping we have a good turn out again this year.  Last year we raised 1300 and hope to do even more this year!

Eventbrite Tickets

Hafla For Humanity

So excited!

I am just so excited!  So much is happening in the nest few weeks.

A friend has asked me to start taking pictures of his performing group.  I am terribly nervous because I consider him my photo mentor.  I am using this week's performance as an "audition" of sorts.

HM at fire performance last summer.

More on the photography news, I am shooting another wedding.  My dance sister Jenna is getting married and I volunteered to take pictures and dance.  Jason is going to end up doing most of the reception photos while I am performing.

Next month will be our Global Hafla for Humanity!  I am looking forward to this performance so much.  I am going to be in 3 dances this year.  We had a small issue with our venue but luckily we have found another place happy to support us.

JB, HH and I at the Moon Haven student show.

I am just so excited to be so busy!

When did this new me appear?

For those who live under a rock, I started dancing just under a year ago.  I did not have any goals going into the class.  I knew that the last class I had taken there years ago was one of the funnest times.  So with a big smile I walked back in.

Almost a year later I am still dancing.  I have been in 3 performances, and invited to join in others.  I show my tummy both in class and in performances.  I have found a sisterhood of friends that make me feel amazing.  My headaches and hip issues are declining.

What I realized last night at class was that I did not mind being videoed at practice.  I was recording the class so that I can review the bits I missed the first week.  This time I did not insist on hiding.  The voice in my head did not object, it instead told me not to miss this chance to dance with other lovely ladies.

I smile, I dance,  I sweat, I jiggle, I shimmy, I hop and I love myself!

Our Moon Haven Studio student show 2016

Hafla for Humanity 2015

Rehearsal for Student show 2016

A Random product review

So I have been having issues.  I have been having bra issues and skin irritation (bye boys, I am sure you are now running away) along the under-wire line.  I have tried soaps. I have tried powders.  I have tried lotions.  Yet, nothing.  The irritation seems to always come back and it is horrid.  I break out.  I feel disgusting.  Jason does not say a word about it unless I ask him.  And then he says very little, he is sweet and understanding cause he know how upset it makes me.

Last night while we were at Wal-mart, I noticed the Genie Bra.  It is a wire free bra and an "As Seen On TV" item.  I had been thinking of finding more sports bras to wear since that seemed to help.  But I hate the idea of the shelf look and all my sports bras are racer back which just would not work with my professional attire.  I had seen one of the corset youtubers recommend this bra to wear with corsets,  No, corsets are not daily wear for me.  They were right around 10$ and convenient. I grabbed one to try for a few days.  Since this weekend is camping I thought it would be a good field test.

Day 1:
Thursday, typical work day.

When I fist put it on this morning I was worried I got too small of a size.  I went of the chart n the box.  I am a 38C or D depending on the bra.  Since I did not want a jiggle, I went with a large (38C/36D).  I was debating getting the XL which would fit a 38D per the packaging.  The arm holes feel a bit tight at times not uncomfortably so just noticeable.  I am surprise by the fact I can barely feel anything on the under bust band.  Overall, there is a slight constriction with the fit, I can see how some would find that uncomfortable but for me it is pleasant (which I think comes from my corset tendency).

Day 2:
Work/travel/camp setup

Today is a roller coaster of activity.  The Genie Bra fits just as snugly as yesterday.  Either I am getting use to the feeling or the arm holes released out a bit.  The bra was very comfortable all day long.  Even with unloading a car and hiking it all back to the site.  My only issue so far is the insert-able "cups", they are more like nipple pads, that roll up every time I put the bra on.   It is about 2-3 min annoyance to to get them sorted.  At the end of the long day of work, hiking, and camping i decided to put my bra in the dirty bag.  Cause it smells, you know the boob sweat ain't pleasant at all.  So the rest of the weekend is in my sports bras, which was a good call due to impromptu swimming during one of the hikes.

Day 3-7
I have now worn the Genie Bra pretty much all week.  It is very comfortable, light, and no poking (nothing to poke with).  As for the issue with my skin, I do think is is helping, break out is dying down quickly.  I did was the bra after the camping trip and it still fits snugly, but the arm holes are much more comfortable now.  I have found that this bra will not work with tank tops that have tiny straps.  I have also found my old bras are uncomfortable after a couple of hours.

My recommendation is to try this bra for a few days.  I do think it has to be worn and broken in to fully enjoy.  This bra is great for everyday wear and office attire but I will still look for my other bras for special occasions.  I have not tested it with my corset yet but that will happen soon as will finding the bra in black.

Gaming Girl

For those who do not know, I love playing games.  I may not be the best gamer but i has fun!  I play board games, pc games, video games, LARP and role play games.  I have always loved gaming.

I am talking about this cause Jason and I are about to start a new MMOrpg this weekend.  We are going to be playing Blade and Soul.  It is by the same people (NCSoft) who produced the first MMO I played (Lineage II).  I am looking forward to playing this one.  I hope it will be fun as Lineage was at first.

So what games have I played?  I am so glad you asked!  Let me tell you some of my favorites.

Console Video games:

XBox

• Overlord (often over looked but the humor is awesome!)
• Bioshocks (Will you kindly?)
• Assians Creed (highly addictive)
• Halo (fun but I dislike FPS in general)

NES

• Super Mario
• Zelda
• Donkey Kong
• Metal Gear

PC Games (non-MMO):

• Alice the Madness Returns ( I love all things Alice)
• ALL THE MYST (must have more!!)
• Contrast (great soundtrack, beautiful visuals, awesome story, and amazing concept)
• KOTOR (the start of great Star War gaming)
• Diablo III (YES!!  all the YES)*
• Heroes Of the Storm (lane game but uses Blizzard franchise)*
• StarCraft (yes I like blizzard games)

*Not in MMO cause of player limits per game.

MMO:

• WoW (I left about 5 years ago, did not like the end game rat race)
• Lineage II (loved graphics and game-play, left due to community)
• Tera (nice solid game, good stories)
• Eve (Jason loves this one, I find it too dull)
• Wild Star (also NCSoft, cute cartoon-y graphics, excellent game-play, great humor)
• Aion (such a pretty game)

Table Top:

• Talisman (huge game, takes hours, never plays the same way twice, TOAD TOAD TOAD)
• Settlers of Catan (infinite game-play)
• Lords of Waterdeep (I have no idea how to describe, but it is fun)
• Greed Quest (cute, quick, fun)
• Dungeoneer (Card based Dungeon game.  house favorite)
• D&D/Pathfinder (standard role playing)
• Amtgard (LARP not tabletop but eh)

CHIP the 9$ computer

This is a post I made on my Larp/Amtgard blog some time ago.  I want to post it here so that I can share with my sisters and their techy children.

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We all know how quickly technology changes.  It gets better, faster, smaller and more expensive.  Yes, for the most part smaller=$$$.  I can understand why.  Companies invest so much in developing thier products.  They have to see a return on what was put in.  Right?

Well there is a Kickstarter that is throwing that model right out the window.  They are making an uber small chip computer that will sell for 9$.  Nope, I did not miss a number there, I did say 9$.

Now do not expect a typical computer.  C.H.I.P is a tiny computer.  You can surf the net.  You can create documents using libreoffice.  You can connect it to your existing tv/monitor.  You can even connect it to a bluetooth!

I think this is a totally awesome project.  It is an open source project and the CHIP comes with "Scratch - an easy to learn language that teaches the basics of programing by making stories, games, and animations"

see that thing in front of the monitor, that is CHIP!

*update*

http://getchip.com/ is taking pre-orders for the CHIP and PocketCHIP!

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My Favorite Card

If you have spent time reading Tarot in public.  Someone will eventually ask you "What is your favorite card?"  This is such a hard question for me to answer.

Honestly, it depends.  It depends on the deck (or decks) I am using.  It depends on how well my cards like me that day.  It depends on the flow of the readings.  It also depends on if you are asking what is my favorite card based on artwork or meaning.  This is not a simple question!  It does vary deck to deck (especially the artwork question).  I hate to pin one card down.

I have 3 decks that is primarily use and one that is an alternate.  I then have 3-4 decks that I just collected and don't use for readings.

I will answer for artwork for each primary deck.  That card seems to change the least.  I may pull a card from my collection decks to show off as well. Most often The Strength card is my favorite card. Both in symbolism and artwork.

From left to right: Celtic Dragon; Arthurian, and Rider Waite.

Bonus card:

Amy Brown Oracle Cards