Mis-type Curiosities Inquiry - Bad Design Ideas

Have you ever misspelled a word that completely changes the meaning of what you were saying? What if it happened when you were typing that word into a search engine?

Well, I saved myself, catching my error before I made it public... I can just imagine all the comments now:
*You wanted inspiration for sewing, and you found it where?!*

For those who missed my blog post yesterday, I went onto Pinterest to look up "Bag Design Ideas" and almost posted the blog live saying I'd searched "Bad Design Ideas" for good ideas.

Alas, one little letter can change one word into a completely different one, and your ol' buddy Mr. Spell Check will never call you out on being crazy - only your spelling - which, in my case, was actually quite respectable.

So, I quickly realized the potential of actually checking to see what I would have found, if I had searched 'Bad Design Ideas' on Pinterest. My imagination went wild just trying to dream up what Pinterest users might define as 'Bad Design Ideas' and curiousity along with it. I did the search... and the first thing I could think upon seeing the results was:

#toobad

I was actually disappointed in the quality of my search results. I don't normally think in hashtags, but it popped into my brain so naturally as I looked over the search results, the vast majority of which were read by the Pinterest search engine as 'Relevant' because the pin's description included the as-disappointed-as-me-with these-results statement, "too bad".

I did find a couple interesting pins, including creepy furniture, fashion creations that might make one ask, 'why?', and an art piece that makes a direct statement on good and bad design. I've put together a board on Pinterest including my relevant findings and some commentary. Make sure you take a look!

http://pinterest.com/refurbishedme/mis-type-curiosities-inquiry-bad-design-ideas/

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Word Of The Day:

Ambiguous

- capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways 

(Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

New Textiles Project - Kiddo's Backpack Project Board

6 blog posts with only one art post?!? I mean, what was I thinking?!

I got the 'Pinterest Itch' last night and looked up a bunch of bag design ideas. This morning, my daughter asked me to make her something, and was struck immediately with an idea.

I scurried around my house for a bit searching through all of my craft stashes, then I spent a couple hours sketching out all the possible combinations and slight design modifications I could come up with. Kiddo excitedly helped by providing me with all the coloured pencils and crayons in just the colours I needed. By the end of the 'planning stage' there was so much excitement... which led to impatience. 

"Mom, when are you going to be done?"

My poor girl, I got so excited that I didn't initially get the chance to explain to her that my sewing machine isn't working and that I was not ready to complete her project today... nor would it likely be completed in the next couple of days.


Anyways, this is what we came up with:

I won't reveal all the details of the bag design just yet, and I still need a couple 'parts',  but here's what we've got materials-wise so far:

Jeans - mine; were always too big
2 cross-stitch pillowcases - rescued
Crocheted table runner - rescued
Cotton belt - bought for kiddo second hand over a year ago but never used because she doesn't wear jeans
Purple leggings* - kiddo outgrew 'em

On the paper you will see the 'approved' front and side views. Already we're making alterations based on what materials we have access to, but that just makes the reveal more fun!

*The pink lettering on the purple leggings is a bleach tester. We introduced Azalia to the method as an option for adding details to her bag. [Spoiler - She loves it!] Eventually, when I actually get to the 'detailing', I will do a little step-by-step tutorial/overview so you can all see how it goes!

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Random LOL 
When initially writing out this post I typed "bad design ideas" instead of "bag design ideas"!

Stay tuned! Tonight I will search Pinterest for bad design ideas, and in tomorrows blog I will present to you the best (or worst?!) of what I find...

Snowbirds Drop Nostalgia-Bomb

The Snowbirds performed here in Penticton, today, for the launch of Peachfest. I watched for a short while from my balcony, just to get a glimpse. Unfortunately, my balcony was not the greatest location - the sun was blinding - and I missed all the best parts of the show. The one decent photo I got is mediocre at best.

The last Snowbirds show I witnessed was 11 years ago in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Summer 2002, I was 15 years old; hanging out at my friends' house and rough housing on the trampoline. Surprisingly, I found a photo I took that day... Unsurprisingly, it is also quite mediocre.

It will likely be a couple days before I can find video of the local air show so I looked through some of the most recent shows available and found some good footage from the July 31st show hosted in my former-hometown, Nanaimo!

*Please remember, this is not my video. Credit goes to the Youtube account/channel on which it was posted.*

Please leave video-related comments HERE

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Who are the Snowbirds? 

RCAF Snowbirds Official Webpage - Includes information on current pilots and performance schedules

[WIKI] - Includes information on and a brief history of the Snowbirds Demo Team Squadron (431 ADS) formed in 1971 and the original Squadron 431 which fought in WW2


What kind of planes do they use?

[WIKI] Canadair CT-114 Tutor

Penticton's Ponderosa Past

I accompanied my husband and daughter to the beach this afternoon, honestly, begrudgingly. (I don't like beaches, for the most part, because sand drives me nuts.) Honestly, I'm glad I went in the end because I've learned some new nature facts, as well as some interesting information about the town in which I have been for more than 6 years. Knowledge is power! (I'm sure, in the life of this blog, you'll hear me say this frequently.)

In summary, during some very powerful windstorms in 2007 and 2008 a number of very old, and large, Ponderosa Pines were damaged or knocked down entirely. As a city-centennial Earth Day project, Pentictonites went to work planting lots of new trees. It appears that much planning went into this project as they chose 12 specific tree varieties to help support and balance the ecosystem of our area for many years to come.

The plaque I found in Skaha Park read:

On November 12, 2007, winds of up to 110 kilometres per hour caused widespread damage to private and public property throughout Penticton.

While damage was reported in most areas of the city, the south end was hit hardest by the windstorm. Home to over 400 mature Ponderosa pine trees that provided shade for park users and habitat for birds and other wildlife, Skaha Park, the largest urban forest within the city limits - suffered extensive damage. Over 95 mature Ponderosa pines were up-rooted or badly damaged and had to be removed from the park.

On July 10, 2008, a second major windstorm hit Penticton, uprooting another 35 mature Ponderosa pines and damaging 20 others.

After the storms, hundreds of people came out to Skaha Park to witness the dramatic change. Many were saddened by the devastating loss of these magnificent trees and felt strongly that the urban forest be re-established.

In response, and in honour of the City of Penticton's 100th birthday, the seeds of the Skaha Park Centennial Tree Re-Planting Program were sown.

Public response was overwhelming! In less than 6 months, 91 donors came forward with $100 to $500 each, contributing a total of $10,000. Combined with city funds, a Green Streets Canada grant and the Province of British Columbia's donation of 200 seedings, the $100,000 Skaha Park Centennial Tree Re-Planting Program ensured that future generations of park users and wildlife could continue to enjoy an urban forest within the city limits for many years to come.

The land was originally a natural, undeveloped area, home to Ponderosa pines interspersed with the black poplar that grew near Skaha Lake (then called "Dog Lake") and other water sources.

In the 1940's, Penticton's Reeve and Council passed a motion to preserve as park land what was then called "Pine Tree Park". The installation of turf grass and irrigation, as well as regular maintenance of the native pine trees transformed the land into a formal civic park.

But formal maintenance, including lawn mowing, also prevents the natural re-generation of new trees, resulting in a monoculture that left the park's tree canopy vulnerable to disease, insect attack and high winds.

The City Parks Department decided to replant Skaha Park with a mixture of tree species to ensure a healthy park eco-system for the future. The 12 species chosen* have the following traits:

• tolerant of urban conditions
• resistant to insects and disease
• excellent wildlife attractants
• colourful fall foliage
• well-adapted to the area's climate
• showy flowers
• leaves that produce filtered shade

On April 22, 2008 - Earth Day - local school children helped plant the first of the new tree groves in Skaha Park. In October of 2008, the remaining tree groves were planted.

*Species Chosen: London Planetree, Ornamental Pear, Serviceberry, Red Maple, Honeylocust, River Birch, Pyramidal Hornbeam, Emerald Queen Maple, Little Leaf Linden, Red Horse Chestnut, Douglas Fir, and of course, Ponderosa Pine

In addition to this historical note, they included some facts about the Ponderosa pine.

•  Grows 15 to 30 metres tall
• Trunk diameter can reach 1 to 1.5 metres
• Can live from 400 to 600 years
• Named "Ponderosa" by botanist David Douglas due to the great size of the trees
• Southern BC is at the northern limit of the species' range, which extends to southern California
• Provide important winter range for deer, elk, and bighorn sheep
• Seeds attract small animals and many birds
• White-headed woodpecker is highly dependent on the Ponderosa for nesting, insects, and seeds
• Interior First Nations People used parts of the tree for food, and the needles for weaving baskets

Photographing Photographers

In enjoying the sunny summer weather and numerous special occasions I have not only taken a lot of photos myself, but watched a lot of photos being taken. I figure it's only fair to let a photographer get some direct credit, and attention...

This afternoon, my daughter got the chance to model for an old photographer-friend who recently started Splat & Co. with his wife.

It always amuses me what kind of crazy positions photographers will put themselves in to get a good angle. 

*In the voice of David Attenborough* 
Here, you can see the photographer in his natural habitat. Watch how he moves himself, rather that his subject, a hand-felted dryer ball, to get the ideal picture.

Aside from that, I'm very proud of my big girl. A 4 hour outing, over 30 degrees (Celcius) outside with both rain and direct sun, and she was still smiling while modeling knitwear for fall!

'WHY' WEEKEND! - Why do your fingers and toes wrinkle in water?

Answer - Keratin

Your skin is made of keratin which absorbs lots of water. Fingers and toes have the thickest skin on your body and absorbs even more water while what lies under your skin does not - it works like a gathered skirt.

Your nails are also made of keratin. This is why your nails are soft and pliable after being in water.


CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

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My daughter spent the afternoon at a water-themed birthday party this afternoon. Here was my inspiration for this article.

Newest Beaded Critters: June Bugs!

Two of my best friends got married today and, as part of their reception, the couple requested a pair of June Bug wine charms. I was more than happy to accept the challenge.

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Random Fact about Ten-Lined June Beetles:

Male Ten-Lined June Beetles/Watermelon Beetles have larger clubs on their antennae, than females, which fan out to detect the female's pheromones.This is an example of sexual dimorphism.

Learn more:
Ten-Lined June Beetle
Sexual Dimorphism

Starting Fresh

Some days, it's a real struggle to stay motivated, and failures can be so discouraging. Here I am - Starting again. I've got new ideas, renewed enthusiasm, and a nagging pessimism. I hope that a good way to keep myself positive and inspired is to start with words of inspiration and wisdom that I can always fall back to. At the same time, the sources I look to for these words will offer an important insight for those curious about who I am and what has gone into making me the person I am today. 



26 Quotes to Celebrate 26 Years of Being Me

Of course as children, we all, in all cultures and societies, learn behavior from observation, imitation, and encouragement of various kinds. So by the suggestion made, we all 'pretend' most of the time.
- Gary Gygax

Sucking at something is the first step to becoming sorta good at something. 
- Jake the Dog, Adventure Time

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. 
- J. R. R. Tolkien

The people I distrust most are those who want to improve our lives but have only one course of action.
- Frank Herbert

I'd rather be hated for who I am that loved for who I am not.
- Kurt Cobain

Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't.
- Bill Nye

If we can't laugh at ourselves, and at one another, in good spirit and without malice, then what fun can be left? If we must withhold all ribbing in the name of protecting everyone's feelings, then we truly are a toothless society. We will reach what I call the lowest common denominator of butthurt. 
- George Takei

People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost.
- Dalai Lama

The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away. 
- Pablo Picasso

Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it's the farthest from it. Because cynics don't learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. 
- Stephen Colbert

A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new. 
- Albert Einstein

The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne. 
- Geoffrey Chaucer

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. 
- Dr. Suess

Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!  
- Ms. Frizzle, The Magic School Bus

I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant; it's what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.
-  Mewtwo, Pokemon

I've never thought sitting around and worrying helps anything, except to help shorten your life. 
- Robert Bateman

It's not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. 
- Marcus Aurelius

In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
- George Orwell

Discovering the truth about ourselves is a lifetime's work, but it's worth the effort. 
- Fred Rogers

This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time.
-Tyler Durden, Fight Club

Ernest Hemmingway once wrote, "The world is a fine place and worth fighting for," I agree with the second part.
-Morgan Freeman

The brain is like a muscle. When it is in use we feel very good. Understanding is joyous.
- Carl Sagan

It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out; it's the grain of sand in your shoe.
- Robert Service

Every mystery ever solved has turned out to be not magic.
-Tim Minchin

Love the life you live, live the life you love.
- Bob Marley

I don't care that they stole my idea... I care that they don't have any of their own.
- Nikola Tesla