Weird Amiga

Chair Makeover Inspiration.

2013-05-21T05:00:00.000-04:00

Look what I found on my last visit to Brooklyn!
I spotted it on a sidewalk sale, on our way out. We pulled up to the side of the street with much scratching of the tires, and snatched it swiftly for a mere $10.

I believe it's a low back Windsor chair. A little dented –well loved, I should say– and very comfortable for a wooden chair.

Now, on to some makeover ideas!

I like how the chair + chest have been treated: stenciled, while preserving the original wood stain. I particularly love the stencil on the chest!

Since I would like to show some of the chair's original wood, maybe this is the way to go...?

A completely different approach: these chairs have been covered in a toile-patterned fabric. The black & white look would go neatly with my minimalist white desk –although if I do something like this, I will probably do an intricate stencil instead of using fabric.

I also picture it as white on wood: keeping the original wood finish instead of using black paint.

Alternatively, if I end up doing something simple with the wood/stain, the star of the show would be a wild cushion, full of character, in the spirit of this chair's upholstery.

The motif reminds me a little of khokhloma.

Although this little chair will be my studio companion for now, I also see as the first member of my ideal set of dining chairs: all mismatched, all beautiful.

There is plenty of inspiration out there on the subject of mismatched chairs... but that is for another day!

1 . 2 . 3 . 4

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May Day Swap.

2013-05-14T05:00:00.000-04:00

Presents, presents everywhere!

Back in April, fellow bloggers Dawn, Mary, and Shannah organized a gift swap to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Sounds wonderful, right?

People from all over joined in, pretty presents flew in every direction, and (surprise!) some landed on my stoop!

Sarah, from Attic Lace, put together the most beautiful package for me. It was such a joy to open!

Dotted ribbon, a vintage card, some lace... I went through them carefully, gushing like a child, trying to postpone the surprise.

Just look at this treasures!

I love the look of honey behind glass: like a heavy, delicious gem.
Sarah made the pebble paper weight and the owl herself! You may have seen the owl before: it lives on my desk these days.
She also included birds and a set of adorable twiggy pencils.

This was my first swap, and I had so much fun.

edit:
Dawn prepared a showcase of all presents exchanged during the swap —go see!

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Square Cards in Rectangular Envelopes + Beautiful Stamps.

2013-05-10T05:00:00.000-04:00

Thank you for answering last post's informal poll, friends! Apparently no one is intimidated by the little extra work that mailing square cards/envelopes may require —as is the case here, in the US.

Meanwhile, I've been looking into envelope sizes, playing around with ratios (for the cards), and discovering new things.

I learned that some crafty folks have circumvented the extra fees & hassle by modifying rectangular envelopes so that they fit square cards, snuggly.

If you ever wondered how to do such a thing, here is a nifty tutorial. Of all the solutions floating around the internet, I find this one to be the more elegant —you could even extend the insert to include the flap, just like regular lining.

I also learned that the US Postal Service has issued a series of awesome butterfly stamps whose denomination specifically benefits squared-shaped envelopes.

This is now the first time I share philatelical pretties in this blog. I put a lot of effort into matching my stamps to the person who's receiving the letter.
For instance: stamps of naval ships go well with rent checks —landlords are authority figures, after all.

Anyway: looking at butterflies led to more browsing. I ended up discovering some new beautiful stamps that I just must own.

Behold, my new findings!

Weather vanes!
They are beyond beautiful, don't you think?

Hey, it's the blue marble!
This rendering is composed of images created from satellite data and redesigned with 3D computer technology.

Wouldn't it be cool if stamps had shapely contours, like stickers?
This one comes close: it's round!

Look at this miniature broadsheet!

To evoke the look of posters from the Civil War era, the creators employed one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in America, where old letterpress methods are still used.

...and Johnny Cash —a dashing stamp!

What pretty new stamps are coming out where you live?
Hope this post gets you enthused about sending slow mail in style!

weather vanes | planet earth | proclamation | cash

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The Studio this Week.

2013-05-07T05:00:00.000-04:00

Great Finds:

• the perfect washi tape: it has bold flowers on it, and toasty colors... That's about as spring-time I'm going to go with my seasonal packaging. I'm an autumn creature, folks. :)

• a friendly hedgehog emerged as a doodle while I was on the phone. It's going to become a corner bookmark!

• a vintage postcard, arrived from far away.
hint: May Day Swap present!

Current Project:

It involves stamping textures onto luscious square-shaped card stock + cutting paper into folkish motifs.

Did you know that square envelopes cost extra to mail?

Personally, I'm happy to pay the extra postage in the case of uniquely shaped envelopes.
I imagine other people feel the same way, but this has kept me from listing square cards on my shop.

Can I get your opinion on this?

Would you buy square cards if that meant you'll be paying extra for postage, or that you may have to get it manually processed by a post office clerk?
Is a unique card worth the effort?

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Spring in Princeton.

2013-04-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

I have been keeping up with the season's progress, noticing the plumpness of the robins, every change in the trees, smells in the air...

For the first time we get to see what spring looks like in this area of pines and fields, and we want to witness it all at once. So far I had left the camera out of it, but waking up to a garden blanketed with petals forces you to realize that the trees won't be in bloom forever.

Now I'm jolted into action: must capture spring before it slips away!

For a start, last weekend we ran to nearby Princeton. We wandered through the university grounds in spring garb, camera on hand.

When the husband-fish and I first met, he would tell me stories of Princeton's ivy-covered stone and majestic buildings. Eventually —and by chance— we came to live near it.

While I pointed my camera at things, students frolicked on the grass under the shade of the monumental Alexander Hall, overlooked by this gigantic Tiffany stained glass window.

I must go back there soon just for the gargoyles!

Princeton is populated by legions of bizarre stone ornaments, like this chimera. I have no idea what this little grouping stands for, but I've taken it to represent the anguish of cramming content the night before a test.

Not that I know about such things!

What would your life be like if you lived behind this door?

The dorms are a much quieter place. There, the rooftops show off their stone shingles, like plumage —I thought— or the skin of a dragon.
Sleepy windows, open like half read books, encrusted on the profuse carvings.
Behind every window, a golden light.

And here it is, a snippet of spring to celebrate and send off yet another April.
I just realized: this is a vast improvement over what was going on a year ago!

I hope 2013 is smiling on you all!

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Technology Woes & the Natural Remedy.

2013-04-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

A woeful week this was!

It started with the idea of upgrading my trusty, tired computer in a couple of simple (yet significant) ways. I gathered all necessary implements and know-how, went at it... and found myself entangled in a a chain reaction of faulty hardware and incompatibilities.

Sigh.

As of now, I have no access to my beloved design programs. The digital illustrations I was working on simultaneously will have to wait until things are back to normal...

I moped around for a while... then, a discovery: the weather has reopened our balcony as a place for meditation and bird-watching!

You can't be upset while wrapped in body length scarves and drinking up the humid air...

I'm glad to report that I'm in higher spirits now.

I've decided to finish this week with the creation of something just because. Something for which I don't have a plan...

I want the process to take me away, and to emerge at the other end with hands full of beauty.

Merry weekend to you!

Oh, and in case space parties are your thing: Happy Yuri's Night!

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Hopeful Friday.

2013-04-05T15:17:00.000-04:00

As promised, the little accordion notes are up for your gawking pleasure!

I like the hint of blue on the second one. It introduces just enough color.
Compared to its black & white companions, #2 is definitely the wild sister. :)

I'll have you know that I stand on a chair to get such aerial views of my paper products. My desk is rather tall...

And yes! I've been collecting floral patterns. At times, I even wear several of them simultaneously. Going for shady garden camouflage, I suppose.

This is not the view from my balcony right now, but it will be in a month or two!
The days are growing longer, friends. Birdsong has been reaching my pillow every morning, and I couldn't think of better inspiration!

I've taken up to keeping our balcony in sweet penumbra, as to not create light pollution and disturb the nesting birds at night. They have had enough of a hard time with this year's confusing winter as it is...

Hope the weather is beautiful where you are! What are you doing with your weekend?

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Art Supplies Haul + Sneak Peek.

2013-04-02T10:22:00.000-04:00

I'm a girl who's easy to please: take me on an art supplies run and I will love you forever.

This weekend we did just that: while people looked for colorful eggs in the grass, I piled up on papers and tested markers.

There comes a time when you look at your markers and realize it's time to change up the palette.

At this point, the majority of my 'good' colors were almost exhausted anyway. Only my almost redundant collection of 'skin tones' remains untouched for the most part. They're vestiges from my time as a fashion student. I have almost a dozen of markers just for rendering skin...

You see, I had to draw a lot of skinny paper dolls back then.

I'm fine with colored pencils sets, but I prefer to create my own palette when it comes to markers. This friend here is a sample of the juicy new colors I bought this weekend.

For the very first image (above), I went back to my marker + colored pencils roots. She looks a little weird, I think it has to do with my spending too much time on the computer lately —the 'touch' is easily lost without practice.

The new paper stash inspired me to work on a variation of my spring a note miniatures: an assorted set of monochrome patterns. It should be on the shop this week.

Surely I'm no the only one who thinks black & white can be fun!

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CatPrint, New Friend.

2013-03-29T09:42:00.000-04:00

So I've been spending some time in LinkedIn lately, which —I now realize— is not the dry place I thought it to be.

I have already bookmarked tons of helpful links and knowledge shared in illustration and stationery forums. In fact, my current change in direction for Weird Amiga is directly influenced by what I've learned there.

One of my greater finds so far: CatPrint.

I had been searching for a printshop for my stationery and illustrations, without finding the right one... Turns out, all I had to do was ask!

The right question in the right forum led me to them.

I've become inseparable with the little samples booklet shown below.
You can tell. It's all bookmarked.

Catprint is a short run printshop. They're super friendly and somewhat obsessed with cats... :)

But on to the practical stuff:

• they use wind generated energy!
• free hard copy proofs
• juicy paper selection
• they offer blind shipping
• in addition to the basics, they also do stickers and posters

I'm too excited about this, you guys.
I guess no one is complete until they find the right printer to fall in love with...

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Illustration: The Vegetable Maid.

2013-03-26T10:44:00.000-04:00

Behold, the bountiful maid!
You thought she was bringing pints of mead, didn't you... She wants you to eat your veggies instead.

She has this idea that if you adopt good habits gradually, you'll have a better chance at sticking to them. Little by little, you'll stop craving unhealthy foods, and before you know it, the idea of stuffing your face with chocolates at midnight will no longer sound appealing.

This illustration was created to the tingle of music, and in the company of friends. I think she turned out bright and blissful as a result: I love her leafy hair and radish eyes...

She's radishing, wouldn't you say? :)

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Primavera Que No Llega.

2013-03-22T15:51:00.002-04:00

Today I braved the cold to look for signs of spring. I was almost sure I had seen a budding tree the other night... but it was the twilight playing games.

I could find no indication of spring save for these wee flowers. Their punctuality is commendable!

Nothing like being stopped in your tracks by sheer beauty.
This luscious fungus civilization has taken hold on a trunk, within inches from someone's porch.

I fretted a little while taking the picture, hoping not to be spotted... Yet I wonder: don't we all have a right to such things?

Can such a manifestation be owned ?
Do they know it is beautiful?

Last year's hurricane left us with a trail of uprooted trees and stumps...

Sometimes you can detect a tree's legacy by the microhabitat that persists around the stump. Spongy soil, a bed of mosses, shade-loving weeds that haven't realized the giving friend is gone.

Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!

Thomas Blackburn

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The Thrifting Gnome: Workspace Rejuvenation.

2013-03-13T00:00:00.000-04:00

Can you feel it? Spring is coming!
Time to address clutter, freshen up the old lair, and introduce new treasures!

Behold, some of my springtime additions!

These pretty containers found me at The Salvation Army —I just had to bring them home and stuff them with pens and instruments. Instant workspace redecoration!

I'm in love with their herbaceous design. Is it weird that I wake up extra happy, knowing I'll be working all day by their side...?
A small amount of change can energize your routine so completely!

Even the obnoxious spot where my clamp-on lamp attaches to the desk received the decorative treatment this time...
I'm not sure if it looks crazy or awesome, but for now I like its leafy abandon.

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I, Wallflower.

2013-02-28T23:14:00.000-05:00

So it has happened: I received a Liebster Blog Award when I wasn't looking!
Many thanks to Milena, from Somnambulistica.

What is it?
A questionnaire to answer, recreate, and pass along, with a nice German sound to it.

This has made me realize something: although my posts are laced with things that describe me, I don't often share precise facts about myself.

Partially because I'm shy... but also because the purpose of this blog is to emphasize my work and the process, rather than myself.

Turns out, sticking to the original purpose is hard, since the things I encounter become part of my vision & myself. That's how this blog ends up being a venn diagram of absolutely everything.

Now, let's answer some questions!

There are rules to this award, which you can find at the end of this post. I've already broken them by deciding to illustrate my answers.

Also, you just read the answer to question 1: what made you decide to blog?
Sort of.

Autumn. Delicious, brief Autumn.

A realist in the personal sphere, a dreamer by profession. Otherwise, I would draw nothing but literal things, like forks and pocket change.

A playlist of ambient elven music, oddly enough.

Lately, one of my favorite video games has been trying to pull me back in. In order to resist the allure, I've compiled its music into a playlist that I listen to while I work: it allows me to taste the game's seductive opium, without being absorbed by it...

Skirts with boots, because I enjoy wearing fun tights.

Handsome rascal & loyal friend Vitalik, from 'Winged Tales' by Vladislav Krapivin.

Snow, and the sight of squirrels. Didn't get either until I was 24.

Mangoes! Smoothy format preferred.

Much like Radagast the Brown, I would be fine with a little house in the forest.

Oh, you mean where in the world?
Anywhere where there is ancient woodland!

The husband-fish. He's making me laugh right now!

Naw, but for a second I almost believed in the tooth fairy.

Rules

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Answer the 11 questions asked.

Leave a link back to the blogger that nominated you.

Choose 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers to nominate, and let them know they’ve been picked.

Write 11 new questions for them to answer

The Questions

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What is your earliest memory?

The story behind your blog's name.

Do you collect anything?

Your favorite way to wake up.

What were you doing 10 years ago?

Time travel or teleportation?

Favorite thing in your closet.

Something you're excited about.

What do you like best about the place where you live?

What is a smell that you find evocative, or delicious above all others?

What is your present state of mind?

The People

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diary of a plague year

chantal loves vintage

some underground
sarah draws things
triclopod studios
invisible crown
diary sketches
mi+ed design
art by wiley

tricotaria
wild lola

Some of these are great new blogs I found while researching for nominees.

I'm glad to introduce you to them!

The Stuff of my Daydreams.

2013-02-22T09:36:00.001-05:00

Weeks seem to be getting shorter around here. Not a bad thing! It only means my days are busy with work that needs to be completed and delivered in several fronts.

So no, not a complain.

Then there are the other things, the dreamy stuff that grabs my imagination in between tasks, and sends my mind wandering:

I've been looking into the shape & pattern of fungi, as well as crystalline structures and gems.

Doesn't this look like Hal from Space Odyssey?

I enjoy looking at crystals and spores no matter what, but in this case it's research for a video game we (some friends and I) are putting together.

It'll have fantasy and puzzles! It'll be a hand-held ode to nature! :)

The perfect latte is a thing of beauty, and oh so hard to achieve! I've been lurking around forums, gathering tips, trying to improve my technique.

I already own a espresso maker. Now, time to obsess.

This. I adore this look. I could wear nothing but this until the day I die.

Oh! This reminds me: I must share my thrift store finds with you!

I'm in love with my new treasures. So much so, that I want to get rid of stuff in my closet just so that they can hang in the spotlight, undisturbed...

The meaning of this photo will be revealed once you read what I've written for Kanelstrand today.

Head over there, and tell me what you think —questions at the end of the article. I really want to make sure I haven't been gifting the wrong thing this whole time...

1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5

Rocks that Creep.

2013-02-15T15:14:00.000-05:00

So we had a close encounter with an asteroid today, did you hear about it?

It was very small and came very close. It passed within the orbit used by some of Earth's artificial satellites —that is, between Earth and its satellites.

That is very close.

But we're fine now. Rocky DA14 never meant to hit us. We'll have an uneventful weekend after all.

Another asteroid came pretty close last month, and at the time there was mention of 'the gravitational keyhole'.

Scary stuff, read on:

The gravitational keyhole is a spot in space, near a planet —Earth, in this case.
The trouble arises when the asteroid crosses through this specific spot, because the planet's gravitational pull could alter the asteroid's orbit. This, in turn, could cause the asteroid to actually hit Earth on a later flyby.

Fascinating image, I thought. So here is a drawing about it: Apophis, creeping on Earth through the keyhole. The weirdo...

Weekend in Snowy Boston.

2013-02-11T19:31:00.001-05:00

We survived the blizzard after all!

This city is drowning in snow, but Bostonians have it under control in a way I never witnessed in any of the other major cities I've lived in.

The adventure isn't over, so I'm letting my trusty mobile take care of this post, then heading out again.

At Cheers! This is the bar the TV show was inspired on.

Its original name was Finch & Bull (the old signage is still around) and they have the bar (similar to the one in the show) upstairs, and the dining area downstairs.

The children built a massive open sky fortress out of fresh snow. That was a beautiful Sunday, sunny and white.

...and a bit of a bizarre scene.

This store looked wrecked and abandoned inside, the signs on the windows making mention of christmas trees and things that happened months ago...

Then, a sweet yellow piano.

Boston or Bust!

2013-02-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

Have you been to Boston?

We're leaving right now in order to beat the storm. It will be a frigid weekend, but I'm determined to wander as far as my frozen feet will allow.

These are images from my Pinterest, mostly: I've been doing my homework and asking around... I love all things New England, and always wanted to visit Boston.

Circled on my list so far: the Fine Arts Museum. European posters and postcards are currently on exhibit.
Postcards maintain friendships, they do.

My only hope is that the storm will be short, and I'll be able to use my camera... I noticed some beautiful graveyards while doing my 'research' —would love to photograph those!

And thrifting!
I will thrift till I drop, because I haven't in months.

This time I'm determined to follow the 'rule' of clearing the apartment of 3 things for every new thing I acquire.

Suggestions are welcomed! I'll try to get around to any places you recommend here.
What places should I not miss?
Where can I grab the best ever food + drink?

Promotion for Space Lovers.

2013-02-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

It is February, and I am welcoming new additions to my shop!

To celebrate, I'm offering free shipping until February 14th. Oh, and you don't really have to love space to receive the discount. It just makes it cooler. :)

The magic word is...

PAPERGLOW!

You know that childish twinkle in some people's eye? These cards celebrate precisely that, through the language of space and tree forts.

That childish twinkle is something that I myself nurture, and foster in others. Since you're reading this, it's very likely you do too!

Come, come meet geeky Cosmos and boyish Treehouse!

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Desktop Toys.

2013-02-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday, traveler! This week, the light was soft enough to have a photo session in the studio, so all toys & props came out to play.

Come, look at the things that keep me cheerful and inspired while I create.

Faceted gems, marbles, the simplicity of modular blocks.

Jacks like silvery galaxies...

And —as I cut and glue through projects— a secondary forest has started to form atop my tool box.

I have such a hard time getting rid of leftovers and scraps... If they are shapely in the slightly, I'll keep them around.

Not to mention my attachment to margins of paper where I test my markers and inks! I just refuse to let them go unappreciated.

They are perfectly good friends, their humble contribution to the finished object is incalculable.

Do you foster little attachments like these while you create? Keep any gleeful trinkets around the workspace?

I wish you all a weekend of adventures.

Dragon Wisdom.

2013-01-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

So I climbed all 7,000 steps to The Throat of the World the other day, in order to hear what a very ancient dragon had to say about arcane scrolls and time warps...

Turns out, we had a pretty philosophical chat; he impressed the pants off me, taught me some meditation, and sent me back down feeling empowered.

Yes, you've read that correctly: I've taken real life advice from a dragon.

Some other day I'll tell you about how this same video game inspired me to become a better cook.

Another of my favorite moments of this week: I sat by the window and mended clothes until the sun went down and our balcony lights came up.

The idea is to pick every single thread with the needle, recreating the weave as it was before it broke. It is a labor of patience.

My grandmother taught me when I was little, and I still love the way it manages to slow the world around me.

New Quest Started: Speaking in Codes.

2013-01-25T11:49:00.000-05:00

Sonya of Kanelstrand has devoted January to the idea of stepping beyond the comfort zone (the illustration above is part of my contribution to Sonya's endeavor.)

Now, after almost a month of considering her proposition, I have finally decided on a shiny new badge for my list of achievements.

I shall teach myself Web Design!

I'm energized by the idea of learning code, because it is a universal language —much like music— and I have a deep love of languages.

And here is a sneak-peak of some new cards! These are super playful, exclusively for adorable people, and will land in the shop next week —in time for V-Day!

Check back in a few days for their unveiling, and don't forget to visit Kanelstrand today for the full illustration + how to trick yourself into looking for adventures.

Have yourself a merry little weekend!

Cosmos.

2013-01-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

My Pinterest is overflowing with visual riches again!
Since I've been drawing planets and thinking of aliens the whole week, this is what I'll share today.

I grew up calling people like her ↑ cosmonauts —as opposed to astronauts. I still do, sometimes.
It has something to do with growing up in a Sovietized country. Our heroes were Yuri, Sputnik, and Laika. Our vessels of choice, Mir and Soyuz.

Oh, don't look up Laika's story. It's a sad one.

There has been some talk about sending settlers to Mars on a one-way trip. I'm thrilled about the fact that it's being considered at all!

And yes, there is already backlash against the idea. I think that's a pretty myopic reaction, but I suppose the pioneer's life is not for everyone. Being an interplanetary settler is its own reward. You can't be the first Martian and also retain a high life expectancy and cozy Earth privileges...

Moving on to less heady things...
Behold, the amazing space quilt!
The shapes and gradients seem to have transcended the blocks from which it's made...

I'm not sure what this is. Some form of experimental journaling, I believe.
It is striking though, isn't it? :)

(I can almost feel its shape and weight in my hand. Will have to make one, just so that I can hold it!)

Let us.

Peering Through the Fog.

2013-01-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

A brief look at the week so far:

Went to New York for a night of warm cider and laughter.

Discovered the joys of wild mushroom & sage pie.

Ended up with a scarf that is not mine, and many blurry pictures...

Drove back home on the foggiest of days.

See the ominous mass? We drove right between its feet, telling tales of alien occupation, where gigantic invaders were quietly placed around us, under the cover of thick fog...

Where are the mad scientists when you need them!? Tesla would know how to defeat the invaders...

We arrived to find this in our mailbox: a perk for suporting the Kickstarter to fund the future Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe. For a while now, I've wanted to have a framed gallery of personal heroes —Tesla, clearly.

Also, Hypatia of Alexandria, Tolkien, Howard Hughes...

Only marginally creepy to visitors.

On the desk: marbles, vector branches, Battlestar Galactica.

I just finished watching the whole series, but I decided to re-watch for clues.

The marbles are kept nearby for fun: they're tiny planets that influence my mood and wind up in my hand whenever I feel stuck.

Friends From the Old Playground.

2013-01-11T16:35:00.000-05:00

I'm seeing an old friend this weekend, after a long time.

She departed for France soon after I left for New York. I think it's fair to say we've had strange days since.

There was a time when we attended the same school and had hilarious adventures together. We would wander around Old Havana, perusing fragrance stores and paperies. We haunted The Chocolate Museum for decadent chocolate drinks, and sometimes that's all we had for lunch.

I was always fascinated by the fact that this sweetest of museums is located on calle Amargura —Bitterness Street...

Taken on a legendary camping trip to the land of pine trees.
We're on the bed of a truck, coming down from the mountains...

These times coincided with my "reflection photography" phase, as you surely noticed. We all had it, I think? It's right there with "shoot your own feet" photography.

Anyway, we'll meet after this 6-year chasm in New York. It will be a weekend of Spanish and giggles!
Did I mention her name is Anabel too...? :)

Link Visibility for Mobile Audiences.

2013-01-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

First pet peeve of 2013: the way this blog is displayed on mobiles.

The fact that it barely resembles the web version —after all that tinkering and tweaking!— is pretty frustrating. However, what's most troubling is how the mobile view leaves out important stuff, like my outgoing links (facebook, the shoppe...) and Google connect.

It hurts, because I really like the way my blog looks, especially now that I've unveiled the fetching banner (above) and finally abandoned most colors...

I believe there are ways to customize widgets so that they show only on the mobile version. Major code tinkering is required though, and the results can be patchy. So this is not a tutorial, just an idea in case you've been dealing with this as well. :)

My main concern:
To ensure that vital sidebar information was also visible on mobiles —in my case, I felt that without the links to my shop & social media sites, readers would feel stranded.

My quick solution:
Because the sidebar content won't show on the mobile version, but 'pages' will, I created a page that replicates the list of links on my sidebar.

That way, mobile readers can find (and follow) these links the same way they get to my 'profile' page on their mobiles: through a drop-down menu.

This is a little redundant when seen on a browser, but I'm experimenting with removing the sidebar widget altogether and leaving the links just as a page.
Since I barely speak code, this will have to do for now.

Do you favor mobile over web view when reading blogs on the go?