Merry Christmas to You

I said I would start early this year (sending Christmas cards), maybe even create my own instead of lining Hallmark’s pockets. But here I am mid-December and no Christmas card, oh the shame. I guess I’ll have to send out the after-seasons-greeting card. Is that lame? or does the thought really count?

the collection of one who does not collect

I don’t consider myself a collector, I do have a few meaningful items I like to keep and display (books, souvenirs from travel and other mementos). Here are a few of them.

Nothing against it, but . . .

I decided early on that I wanted to get through the semester without posting a link from YouTube on my blog. Nothing against the site, I do flip through it every now and then, I just feel that references to YouTube are everywhere (television news, newspapers, etc) and I wanted to find material someplace else. I made it up to today December 5^th, I saw this movie describing graphic design on YouTube, and almost gave in. Then I read the description and happily discovered the web link to Becky’s portfolio. Whew, that was a close one. Maybe cheating a little since I did find it on YouTube, but I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.

Check out Becky’s take on "What is Graphic Design?"

What you can do with that No. 2 pencil

Text for Project 7

 Why keep boring pencils around? Pencils take up valuable desktop space, so they should be useful and amusing. How do you make pencils amusing? You create Pencil Characters. Pickup the supplies, follow the instructions, and you are on your way. Hours of amusement await you.

Supplies Needed to Create Characters

• Pencils (number 2 pencils work well)
  
• Yarn (several different colors)
  
• Glue
  
• Scissors
  
• Eyes
  
• Clay
  
• Eraser heads (optional)
  

First Signs of Life

Pick up a pencil and rotate until the writing or brand information is not facing you. Once you are satisfied that the print is out of view, glue eyes onto the pencil, about an inch down from the eraser. Eye placement sets the face and provides inspiration for the pencil’s character and features. Now you are ready to bring the character to life.

Hair Raising

Select one or more colors of yarn. Hold the end piece(s) in place with your thumb and wrap the strands around your fingers to form a 2.5 – 3 inch loop of yarn for medium length hair. You can make the loop smaller for short spiky hair or larger for longer hair. Once you have wrapped the yarn three to four times, the end piece should be secure and you can release your thumb. Continue wrapping yarn until the loop is about a half inch thick (for thicker and bushier hair go up to .75 or 1 inch). Cut the end when done wrapping. Now cut a separate piece of yarn to secure the loop (about 10 inches) and wrap it around the middle of the loop several times, creating a bow. Leave a couple of inches on each end for use later. Tighten and tie a knot, this will keep the loop in place. Do not trim the ends.

Laying Roots

Place the hair on the pencil, on top of the metal that attaches the eraser to the pencil. Place the long pieces left over from securing the loop (bow) on either side of the pencil. Press hair to pencil, then pick up the pencil and flip it over. Now you need to grab the long strings and tie a knot. Look at the front of the pencil, make sure that the hair is positioned the way you like and once satisfied place a small dab of glue between the center of the hair loop and the pencil. Press and let dry.

Coiffing

Cut end loops of the bow and fluff the hair; make sure that eyes are exposed. If you like you can trim the hair and the end securing pieces. Swoop hair to the side, create bangs, or try different things to give the pencil a unique look. For additional toppings, colorful eraser heads make great hats.

Clothing Optional

What to Wear

To differentiate female characters you can add a skirt. The process for making a skirt is similar to making hair. Select yarn (one color or more) and loop around your fingers. A 2-inch loop creates a short skirt; you can adjust the length of your loop to create a shorter or longer skirt. Wrap the yarn around your fingers at least 5 times to create a slim skirt, more if you would like a fuller look. Cut a separate string about 6 inches in length and wrap around the center of loop, then tie a knot to secure.

  Zip Up & Check for Lint

Place the skirt on front of the pencil (side with eyes), in the middle. Use loop-securing string to attach skirt to the pencil. Once the skirt is in position place a small dab of glue on the pencil, press skirt to the pencil, and let dry. Cut the end loops of bow and arrange skirt. Smooth down for a sleek look or fluff out.

The Grand Stand

Grab enough clay to roll a ball that is a little larger than the diameter of a quarter. Next roll the ball to a slight tube shape, just slightly elongate the ball. Lightly press the pencil into the clay; pencil should lean back a little for balance. Press the pencil and clay down on a flat surface, mold the clay around pencil to support and extend clay out on flat surface to balance.

I can do it, honest

Here is the Double Bypass I brought in for show and tell, together and with heart removed. Here is a link to the Tavern Puzzle Collection.