Feb. 8, 2010 - The Cutest Template on the Block
Well, I've done it again. I know that the last template was only here for a few weeks, but I woke up this morning with a desperate urge to create the most wonderful, lovely new template I could and I spent 6½ hours struggling with trying to find the right idea, and then polishing it up until it shone.
I think there is still a few things I want to add to my new template, but they will come with time. The subtitle "almost perfect, but not quite" comes from a poem by Shel Silverstein.
ALMOST PERFECT BUT NOT QUITE
"Almost perfect… but not quite."
Those were the words of Mary Hume
At her seventh birthday party,
Looking ‘round the ribboned room."
This table cloth is pink not white—
Almost perfect… but not quite."
"Almost perfect… but not quite."
Those were the words of grown-up Mary
Talking about her handsome beau,
The one she wasn’t gonna marry.
"Squeezes me a bit too tight—
Almost perfect… but not quite."
"Almost perfect… but not quite."
Those were the words of ol’ Miss Hume
Teaching in the seventh grade,
Grading papers in the gloom
Late at night up in her room.
"They never cross their t’s just right—
Almost perfect… but not quite."
Ninety-eight the day she died
Complainin’ ‘bout the spotless floor.
People shook their heads and sighed,
"Guess that she’ll like heaven more.
"Up went her soul on feathered wings,
Out the door, up out of sight.
Another voice from heaven came—
"Almost perfect… but not quite."
-Shel Silverstein
Since I made it, I love everything about it, from the rounded corners at the top, to the floral motif, to the uncluttered sidebar, to the gorgeous blue. It's almost perfect...
© 2010 Defective Compositions
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Feb. 6, 2010 - Route 66 Skirt Pattern Giveaway
I've seen that several of my friends have posted about this skirt pattern giveaway, and while I'm not against giveaways, sometimes I think they are just too much work. Really, I'm tired of the giveaways where you can get more entries by posting of every social network imaginable.
So, when I finally decided to click through and see what this skirt pattern giveaway was like, I was pleasantly surprised to see an absolutely darling skirt, that I decided I simply must have. So, I scrolled down to see what the requirements were to enter, and there were only two. I was quite pleased, and so, without further ado, I give you the link to the Route 66 Skirt Pattern Giveaway, over at Feminine Farmgirl.
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Feb. 3, 2010 - Baking Day!
After "perusing" the cookbook section of the library yesterday, Bluejane and I got a wild idea to spend a day baking as many things as we wanted. We marked the things we wanted to make, and went to bed last night excited by the prospects of the coming event.
And, after spending 4+ hours mixing, stirring, rolling, and baking, we decided that we had enough, and gathered it all together on a square card table to display the fruits of our labor.
Ready for a look-see?
Here we have Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies (lower left-hand corner), Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies (scattered in various places), Cinnamon Rolls (lower right-hand corner), Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies (upper right-hand corner, and on rack), Peanut Butter Cookies (under the rack), Toffee Puddings (top center), and last, but most definitely the best, Elizabeth's Favorite Bread Recipe (center of everything, of course!)
All in all, it was a "sweet" day, a busy day, and a satisfying day. Even if I do feel a little queasy now from eating a little too much good stuff.
© 2010 Defective Compositions
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Jan. 27, 2010 - 7 Things You Probably Don't Know About Me
Sweet Alyssa over at Life of Faith awarded me with the "From Me to You" award. Now, I'm not passing the award on or anything, because I don't really think I do that sort of thing, but I thought the seven things bit sounded like fun, so here it is.
Seven Things You Probably Don't Know About Me
- I have never painted daisies on a big, red rubber ball.
- I can't decide if my favorite color is red or orange...or green...or blue...or yellow...
- I want to learn how to make bobbin lace.
- I am fascinated by the story of Anastasia and the last Romanovs.
- It is one of my dreams to play in an orchestra.
- It is another one of my dreams to tour the British Isles.
- I really do not like coffee.
There ya are. Me in a nutshell.
© 2010 Defective Compositions
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Jan. 27, 2010 - The True Princess Award
I haven't done any awards for a while, because...well, they just take too much work. However, when Esther gave me this darling "True Princess Award", I couldn't miss the chance to post that cute graphic on my blog! I just love those shiny red shoes on the cheerful green background! Plus, sparkles just make it complete.
I am not going to award it to anyone though, because most of the lovely princesses who I would give it to don't do awards. It is NOT because I want to save the lovely princess graphic for myself! If you would like to award this graphic to the princesses you know, then feel free.
© 2010 Defective Compositions
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Jan. 20, 2010 - Reading on a Rainy Day
Some days, rain is an unwelcome, and unwanted guest, but some days rain is a sweet invitation.
Can anyone resist a cozy blanket and a cushy chair, a mug of hot tea, and a deliciously good book? I know I can't!
"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."
— C.S. Lewis
Clip art credit goes to Karen's Whimsey.
© 2010 Defective Compositions
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Jan. 18, 2010 - Black ~ Ted Dekker
Black by Ted Dekker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Black tells the tale of a young man who suddenly starts having dreams. However, these dreams aren't your run-of-the-mill kind, being about two completely different worlds. When Thomas Hunter begins to not only know things that should be impossible for him to know (such as a mutated virus that will fatally infect four billion people), but also starts to be confused as to which world is the dream, and which is the reality, he catches the attention of more than one person. And that's when things begin to get complicated.
Action, adventure, danger, fantasy, and even a tiny bit of sci-fi mesh in this one-of-a-kind novel. In what other kind of book could Thomas be killed twice and survive? There are Christian elements as well; in the alternate reality that Tom dreams of he becomes a follower of Elyon, the allegorical God figure.
This book was somewhat odd, and I occasionally wondered if I was missing something, but by the end,I was pretty much hooked. I must say that I think Ted Dekker must be the king of cliff-hangers, because the end of this book was a doozy. Many parts of it were also funny, and I found myself laughing out loud, which I don't usually do.
If you are looking for a book that is exciting, fast-paced, and slightly suspenseful, then I think you will enjoy Black.
View all my reviews >>
© 2010 Defective Compositions
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Jan. 15, 2010 - The Glade Between the Forests ~or~ The First Draft of my Novel is Finished!
A few final tweaks, the addition of a sentence or two, and that was that. It was finished. The first draft of my novel is complete.
Now I am in an inbetween place. A valley between two mountains. A village between two cities. A clearing between two forests. The eye of the storm. Here I can catch a breath of cool, sweet air, but I can smell the rain that is coming with the towering clouds.
The forest behind me, once dark and forbidding, now seems almost friendly and welcoming. I have been there. I have seen it's hidden secrets. I have discovered the path through it, and have learned it's personality and quirks. Now I am resting in the sweet glade that separates the one from the other. The forest ahead of me is now the one that looms large and frightening. The only thing that I have to help me throught that forest, is the knowledge that I have acquired from the forest behind me.
In other words, I am inbetween two steps of the novel writing process. I have completed the first draft. Now, the large and seemingly unending task of editing my work lies before me. I am a little overwhelmed at the prospect, but at the same time, a hint of adventure and daring challenges me, and I feel myself responding with thrills of excitment.
This is a new step. I am going where I have never gone before. How long will take me? I don't know. I don't know how big the forest is. I don't know the circumference of the storm. The city is a big place!
Picture credit goes to Karen's Whimsey Public domain Images
© 2010 Defective Compositions
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Jan. 12, 2010 - My Mandolin
I guess it's about time I tell you about one of the Christmas gifts I got. My brothers and sister got guitars, and so when I was opening my present, I was wondering, "Did Mommy and Daddy really get me a guitar? I mean, they're nice and all, but I can think of a dozen other instruments I would rather play." Rather ungrateful of me, I know.
So, I was delighted instead, when I opened the box to find a beautiful Mandolin, just waiting to have it's strings strummed. After they were tuned, of course.
So, nearly every day I have practiced on my Mandolin. I have found several great websites that teach you how to play, or that have tabs for you to use. It's been really fun to pick out a tune, and to have it actually be recognizable!
I am also trying to learn the basics such as techinque. I am kind of struggling with the upstroke/downstroke business, but I'm getting better.
Anyhow, I am very pleased with it, and I can't wait to learn more!
© 2010 Defective Compositions
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Jan. 9, 2010 - Link to Me
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Jan. 8, 2010 - "Writing Once Again" ~ Journal Excerpt
Excerpt from Eyebright's journal, January 8th, 2010
After not even looking at my "manuscript" since the end of November and NaNoWriMo, I began working on it again tonight. I was so excited about "being back" that I was actually trembling.
The first draft is almost finished. I wrote almost without stopping...
Oh, how good it feels to be writing once again! The words came without hesitation, and I delighted in them, even as they were being typed.
© 2010 Defective Compositions
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Jan. 6, 2010 - Memory's Sea
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Dec. 22, 2009 - 3 More Days Till Christmas
We finally have our Christmas Cards sent out and away into the vast world. Of course, we were late in getting them out. I think that has become our trademark.
Anyway, it's just one more thing that signifys how close Christmas is! Yay!
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
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Dec. 21, 2009 - Multitude Monday ~ 41-50
I am Thankful for...
41. Snow
42. Teaching my brother how to crochet
43. Four days till Christmas!
44. Knee-high socks
45. Anne of Green Gables
46. Christmas cards
47. Space heaters
48. Science Fiction
49. Red and green
50. A big, comfy couch
What are you Thankful for?
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
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Dec. 19, 2009 - Christmas Candles~ Edited and Un
The picture above is one that I took recently. It was rather difficult, actually, so that is mostly why I decided to edit it some. Not to mention, I have really felt like editing lately!
I have lately become a member of the Digital Photography School Forums, but you don't have to be a member to read many of the tutorials and tips that DPS offers. I have been soaking them all in eagerly, and trying them out with various pictures.
With this photo, I used the 4 Easy Photoshop Techniques to Make Your Pictures Pop! to make a more dramatic scene. I really like the way it turned out, especially the faint halftone pattern overlay.
Anyway, I really reccommend the DPS tutorials, so run on over to check them out!
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
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Dec. 17, 2009 - It's Snowing on Global Warming Advocates...
I wonder how Global Warming advocates feel about snow. Do they enjoy the sight of it, and the fact that it defies their apocalyptic theory? Or do they hate the sight of it, for the same reason? If I were a Global Warming advocate, I would be in quite a quandry.
Anyhow, snow is exactly what Global Warming leaders are going to face in Denmark, as they go to discuss a solution for their interesting problem.
I'll let you read the short article yourself, but I want to direct you to one final curiosity in the post. At the very bottom it specifically defines what a "White Christmas" is. I had no idea that it was so exact!
Blizzard Dumps Snow on Copenhagen as Leaders Battle Warming
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Dec. 16, 2009 - A Homemade Christmas ~ Slippers, Gloves, & Scarves
Since I was away from internet access this time last year, I missed participating in Miss Emily Rose's Homemade Christmas. So, it was extra exciting for me this year, knowing that I would be able to take part!
Then...I tried to come up with something to post about for A Homemade Christmas, only to keep running into brick walls. I wanted to use red felt for something (I don't remember what now!), but what I had thought was felt, wasn't. Toss that idea!
I suppose that I could have thought and worked a little harder at it, but this post is to make up for that, since I'm going to include not one, not two, but three fabulous ideas to make your loved ones for the Holidays.
Tea Scarf
I had the several balls of the most beautiful colored acrylic yarns, just waiting to be worked up into a scarf, and I finally did so, after finding the recipe for The Tea Scarf. Now, I completely and totally agree that the original is far more romantic, luxiourious, and feminine than the one that I created, but mine does have a personality all of it's own.
This scarf is super quick and easy, will work up with a fairly small amount of yarn, and look wonderful.
The pattern is called Intercostal Mitts, but I regret to announce that you can only get this free pattern if you have a Ravelry account. Seriously, you poor knitting and crocheting people without an account are missing out.
On to the pictures!
Knitted Moccasin Slippers
For this third, and final Homemade Christmas suggestion, I will simply redirect you to a previous post. The question of the pom-pom is old news, so just ignore that, but pictures, and a link to the pattern are still there.
If you would like to read more Homemade Christmas ideas, or if you would like to particpate, skip on over to SimplyVintagegirl.
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
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Dec. 15, 2009 - Why is the Cup Always Gone?
I don't know about your family, but my family has a great irresponsibility about cups. It is extremely annoying, and it seems, to our great misfortune, that it is incurable.
Some members of the family have Any-Old-Cup-Will-Do Syndrome, and if they happen to be thirsty, they look around for the closest designated drinking container.
I have diagnosed other people with A-New-Cup-For-Everything-Itis. People with this disease get new cups for any number of reasons, including but not limited to, getting a completely different beverage, and inablity to locate the old cup due to short-term memory loss or carelessness.
It is rare to have more than one or two clean cups sitting in the cupboard. More often than not you can find three or four scattered on the table, and another three or four hidden in little corners in an attempt to keep them separate.
So, is this the great unanswered question of our age? Why are the clean cups always gone? Is this a great mystery like that of the Disappearing Pencil, or Bigfoot, or the Bermuda Triangle? Will it ever be answered? Can this plight be remedied? Perhaps we shall never know.
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
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Dec. 14, 2009 - Multitude Mondady ~ 31 - 40
I am Thankful For...
31. My Daddy
32. My Daddy's birthday!
33. Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake with Chocolate Chip Frosting!
34. Christmas presents in front of the fireplace
35. My Grammy
36. Spaghetti Sauce
37. Leggings
38. My Canon Powershot SX10 IS
39. The Bible
40. Pillows
What are you Thankful for?
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
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Dec. 9, 2009 - Audio Classics
Many times, whilst knitting a repetitive work-in-progress, I enjoy listening to audio books. Recently, however, I have been watching movies, but I think I want to go back to listening to books. Sometimes, though, I am at my whits end trying to figure out what exactly I want to listen to.
I don't know if any of you are like that, but I decided that I would put together a list of some of my favorite stories to listen to, that you can get for free online! Where could you get a better deal?
- Jack and Jill ~ I sort of wrote a review on this once, but I think it is one of my favorite Louisa May Alcott books.
- Persuasion
- Pride & Prejudice
- Jane Eyre
- A Little Princess
- Great Expectations
- Wives & Daughters
- The Gift of the Magi
- The Owl and the Pussycat ~ My favorite edition of this in book form is illustrated by the talented Jan Brett. It's one of my favorite children's books ever!
- Anne of Green Gables
- Kilmeny of the Orchard
- Humility ~ By Andrew Murray ~ Just so you know, this is not a work of fiction.
- The Scarlet Pimpernel ~ Don't forget to look for other Baroness Orczy titles at Librivox!
- Scaramouche ~ Bluejane wrote a review on this, over at Out of the Blue.
- Ivanhoe
- Kidnapped
- Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
- Ben-Hur
- The Importance of Being Earnest
- My Man Jeeves
If any of these links are helpful to you, leave a comment and let me know!
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
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