Love is in the air...

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! To celebrate, I've started working on some fun recycled cards. I started saving the address flaps from my Netflix rentals awhile back, but wasn't sure how I was going to use them. Then a few weeks ago I stumbled upon Netflix Origami, and got some much needed inspiration.

I already have some fun ideas using the heart and swan designs.




I also attempted to make a box, just for fun. Unfortunately it didn't turn out right, so I used that sheet to practice the starched shirt. Since dress shirts don't really scream "Valentine's Day," I may make it into a paper doll for my cousin.

Tilt-Shift

A friend of mine posted this on her blog a while ago, and I thought it was one of the coolest things I'd ever seen. With a bit of Photoshop tweaking, you can make almost any photograph look like a mini-model, a la the opening credits of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

(More photos & instructions here.)

I decided to try it out for myself today, and had some moderate success:




This is my best attempt so far. It was taken from Tokyo Tower in Japan a few years ago. The angle and distance make it a great candidate for this sort of manipulation, but I wish I had a photo taken closer to midday with a clear blue sky (it was pretty hazy that day). I may play around with the saturation a bit more to see if I can compensate for this. I do love how the brake lights on the cars resemble tiny LEDs.




This image was taken in Shibuya, one of the busiest areas Tokyo. The angle isn't ideal (it should really be a downward shot), but I wanted to try anyway because I love the colors. The left half of the photo does look like a model (especially around the tree), and boosting the saturation levels adds to the "fake" look.

I will definitely be scouring my photos for more tilt-shift candidates. I'm also hoping to get some good shots in Vegas next weekend to play with.

Sold

Since the first photo was taken late at night (and minus the flash), here's a close up showing the true color:

100th Post Fun & News

It's my 100th post-- I can't believe it! Since the recent SoCal rain has kept me from photographing my latest work, I'll share something fun instead.

I found this creative Flickr photo by wandaaaa, and have already set it as my computer background:




I also have some personal reasons for not updating the blog:

First, I'm working on setting up shop at Etsy. I've spent the last few rainy days making some bowls and designing some new creations. I hope to have things listed by February (fingers crossed).

Secondly, I'm headed back to school! This summer I'll be working toward a certificate in Web Graphics. I've debated furthering my education pretty much since I finished by BFA, but haven't felt up to it until quite recently. I'm a bit bummed I didn't make a firm decision before the spring semester, but at least I have some time to save up for books and supplies.

Oh... I think it's time to sign off. I just saw a flash of lightning, and the thunder clap wasn't too far behind it. Last thing I need right now is a fried computer!

I needed a good laugh.

That Is Priceless is another Blogs of Note gem I recently discovered. The blog gives humorous new titles to classic works of art. I especially love recognizing paintings I studied in art history classes. If only the lectures had been this funny.

Books I've Read, 2009

+Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone by JKR (reread- duh)
+Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets by JKR (reread)
+Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban by JKR (reread)
+Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire by JKR (reread)
+Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix by JKR (reread)
+Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince by JKR (reread)
+Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows by JKR (reread, but only for the second time)
+The Tales of Beedle the Bard by JKR
+The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
+The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell (Not as good as "Assassination Vacation," but few books are.)
+Watchmen by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
+My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler (Very funny fluff read)
+The Prestige by Christopher Priest (Waaay creepier than the movie!)
+Forrest Gump by Winston Groom (The movie was so much better.)
+V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd
+The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs (Very funny & thought provoking)
+Inside Inside by James Lipton
+The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (reread)
+Coraline by Neil Gaiman
+The Know-It-All by A.J. Jacobs
+The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
+The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose
+Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
+The Giver by Lois Lowry
+The Guinea Pig Diaries by A.J. Jacobs (Another gem. Can't wait for A.J.'s next book!)


Best Book: Tie between The Year of Living Biblically and The Unlikely Disciple. Both give some great insights into religious practice and spirituality, in two very different ways.

Worst Book: Forrest Gump. This book is nothing like the movie, which I love. If I had been the movie exec who read this, I never would have optioned it. A rare example of a book being worse than it's movie companion.

Looking Forward to in 2010: Currently finishing up Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher, and 1491 by Charles C. Mann. Looks like another non-fiction heavy year for me.
Also looking forward to the final installment of The Hunger Games series, and getting more use out of my library card.

A Happy New Year to all!

Books I've Read, 2008 (12/28/08)