Here is the other ornament that was a gift from my Mom. Obviously, it's James Tiberius Kirk from the original Star Trek. My Mom bought Star Trek ornaments because my Dad was a huge fan, or, more commonly known as a Trekkie.
Well, I'm still working on different things. Kind of have a artist block going on right now, but, I have some ideas brewing in my head. Please leave a comment, let me know what you think. Visit me @ facebook.com/caliradan, twitter.com/caliradan, instagram.com/caliradan. Happy Imagining!
I like the macro setting on my camera, though, I rarely have the opportunity to use it. My goal is to take macro shots of snow flakes, that will definitely be a challenge. This is one of my favorite macro shots, a tiny cherry blossom.
Well, everyone have a happy Friday. Happy Imagining!
I found some of my first polymer clay forms, my first attempts to sculpt something. The clover was actually to get rid of the light green because I used it in a cane before this, and it was really hard to work with in a cane. So, I made a giant 4-leaf clover. The pink and white flower was to practice a gradient from one color clay to another, which is called a skinner blend gradient. Once I perfect the skinner blend, I will do a tutorial on it; but as of now, I am not good at it.
Here is a picture to show how big the 4-leaf clover is.
Please comment below or visit my other sites: facebook.com/caliradan, twitter.com/caliradan, instagram.com/caliradan. Happy Imagining!
Here is James' beer shelf, he built it over the weekend. He started to collect beers a little while ago, and he wanted a shelf in the storage area below the stairs because it is the perfect place to store beers with a high alcohol content. A lot of the beers he collects has an ABV of 9% or higher; so the cool, dark storage area is perfect for the beers.
Here are some other pictures to show how the shelves fit under the stairs. There are wooden dowels at the front of the shelves to hold the bottles back.
Well, I must go get some dinner. Happy Imagining!
One of our first ornaments for our tree, Mister Spock from the original Star Trek. I always joke around and say I'm half Vulcan, so it is logical that I have a Spock ornament. My Mom and I were walking through a thrift store when we spotted the ornament, along with other Star Trek ornaments. We also have a James Tiberius Kirk ornament, but, my camera died before I could get a picture of it; so, there will be another post with the Jim ornament.
My Mom bought the ornaments for us because my Dad was a Trekkie. I have fond memories of the Star Trek series because of my Dad. My Dad even taught me how to do the Vulcan Salute at a very young age; I can do the salute with both hands.
So, I must go. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Live Long and Prosper. Happy Imagining!
This may not look like much, but we are getting close to the end of the concrete countertops project. The white spots that you see on the slabs is a concrete slurry without the aggregate, it's to fill in little spots before sanding and polishing. This project has taken a little longer than we thought it would, especially when that cold streak hit us; it is not fun to grind in frigid temperatures. I didn't do any of the grinding because I didn't think that I would have done a great job and it was a big grinder, my arms would have fallen off after a half hour. When we had the cold weather, I told James that he shouldn't work on the countertops, I think he was fine with that :).
Well, I must be going. Please feel free to get a hold of me for any of your creative needs: the.wright.amber.dawn@gmail.com, facebook.com/caliradan, twitter.com/caliradan, instagram.com/caliradan, or just comment on this blog. Happy Imagining!
I finally got the Christmas cards finalized and printed! Yay! I kept working on it, a little here and there, then finally, it was done. Now, I'm just cutting them up and getting them ready to go out into the mail. Then on to my next project... whatever that may be.
Please check out my other sites: facebook.com/caliradan, twitter.com/caliradan, instagram.com/caliradan. Happy Imagining!
So, I decided to post a picture of my car.... I WISH!!! No, I'm posting this because I've been busy lately, with vehicle problems, actually. That is one thing I wish I knew how to work on, vehicles.
My husband and myself went to a car show awhile back. As I was walking down the line of cars, I saw my car; at least, one of the cars I have always wanted. I can't remember the year of it, but, it is a Chevrolet Chevelle, a very cool car.
So, take a moment to enjoy this beautiful picture of a nice car. Happy Imagining!
I wish I had pictures of all the steps to make these beads, I guess I'll have to make more and take pictures of my process. These are polymer clay ladybug beads, I think they are my favorite so far.
I like working with polymer clay, but I couldn't work with it this past summer because it was way to hot in our house. We don't have air conditioning, yet. But, it was too cold this week to work with it, too. I'm hoping the temperature evens out soon, it is way too cold here. I think I'll get back into the clay after Christmas, hopefully, the weather is not too cold.
Like what you see? facebook.com/caliradan, twitter.com/caliradan, instagram.com/caliradan. Happy Imagining!
I really do love graphic design. I'll admit that sometimes I do get a bit aggravated with it sometimes, but on the whole, I really do enjoy designing on a computer. Now, this is not saying that I don't enjoy painting or taking pictures or crafting... or even fixing up things. I love creating things and imagining up what I want to do next. OK, ok... I'm rambling on.
This is a screen shot of a corner of my Christmas card for this year. I am just about done, I have to have it approved by my husband (since his name is on it too).
Alright, I better get back to organizing. I'm on a path to organization, it's a very long path. Happy Imagining!
Even though we moved in May, I'm still un-packing boxes, I wonder if it will ever end. A project I do eventually want to finish is this lamp. I should have took a picture while the shade was still on the shade frame, but I ripped it off as soon as I got it home (it wasn't pretty). I bought this at a thrift store for a couple of bucks, I bought it mainly for the amber colored glass and the old design. I just have to figure out how to fix the lamp socket, it is a little loose, and figure out how to make a shade for it.
Here is a picture from another angle. You can see more of the detail on the base. I was thinking about darkening up the base (the bronze parts) by rubbing black paint on it and wiping it off. We'll see if it works. I think it will be a fun project, stay tuned.
If you need any help with anything creative, feel free to get a hold of me on this blog or other places. Email: the.wright.amber.dawn@gmail.com. Or the other social media sites: facebook.com/caliradan, twitter.com/caliradan, and instagram.com/caliradan.
I've been busy, and it looks like I will be busy through the weekend too. So, I will try to do another post this week, but if not, I will be back on a regular schedule next week. I was thinking about Thanksgiving four years ago. My mother, my boyfriend (now my husband) and I went down to Dallas, Texas to see my brother for his birthday; which that year happened to be on Thanksgiving (his birthday is today this year). I didn't get any "Thanksgiving" like photos that year, but I did get to get a picture in front of a palm tree. I miss palm trees, so every time I go to a place with them I have to get a picture.
Happy birthday, Eric! Hope you are having a great day! Here's a picture of him during that time we went to Dallas.
This one always makes me laugh! I love my crazy family! This is only a small portion of them. From left to right: Rodney Heiberger (uncle), Eric Blaylock and Patty Blaylock (mother).
Happy Imagining!
This is definitely an odd ball picture, my husband and I think it looks like monkeys; I, specifically, think it looks like sock monkeys. It's just a weird anomaly on a fence by our house.
I have been busy these past few days, and am probably going to be busy for the next few days (I assume, just like everyone else in America this time of year). Please visit my other sites on social media: facebook.com/caliradan, twitter.com/caliradan, instagram.com/caliradan. Happy Imagining!
One of the first projects that my husband and I did for our new house was build a bookshelf that doubles as a cat tower. The cats have started to use it more often now, which is nice, since we built part of it for them. Here are some pictures.
James came up with this idea, actually, not really "came up" with it; he saw the bookshelves on the internet, then modified it to accommodate the cats. He had the vision in his head, so really, this is his baby. I helped with cleaning the pipes, they were very greasy.
As you can see, some of the shelves are cut into "L" shapes and then staggered. The cats can walk up the back side and on the top shelf, it doesn't even look like a cat tower and we get to use it too.
Here are a couple more pictures of my very cute MadCat sleeping on the top. We know it's sturdy because it can handle him, he's 12 pounds... he actually lost some weight. He's my cute, big boy!
Well, hope this helps inspire some creativity for you. If you have any questions, feel free to send a message. Email: the.wright.amber.dawn@gmail.com. Facebook: facebook.com/caliradan. Twitter: twitter.com/caliradan. Instagram: instagram.com/caliradan. Happy Imagining!
Friday afternoon has a way with flying by, I almost didn't do a blog post today. Since I didn't have some project set up to highlight for this post, I decided to quickly dig through my photo library and find a photo that I like.
This photo is from the top of the Observation Tower at Elitch Gardens (not to be confused with the Tower of Doom, it's the very tall white tower that you can enjoy the views of the Rocky Mountains and Downtown Denver). This is obviously a view of Downtown Denver. In the foreground, you can see the parking lot and off to the right, the Pepsi Center (I call it the Pepsi Can), where the Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets play. I like this picture because it is a shot of one of my favorite cities.
Well, I must run, busy day! Happy Imagining!
This is one of my favorite Christmas cards, it's from the year 2011. I designed it, then, after work one day, I printed them on some paper that was given to me by a salesman that I worked with at the time. I like the way they turned out. The front is on the left and the back on the right. They are 5.5" x 4.25", printed 4 on a page, front and back.
I can make cards or invitations... or anything printed for that matter. I just need a little time to design and for proof reading, which means it would be too late for me to make Christmas cards for you for this Christmas. I usually like to start right before Halloween, but I can start on them at the beginning of November.
Please contact me for any design needs, send me a message on this blog. Email: the.wright.amber.dawn@gmail.com. Facebook: facebook.com/caliradan. Twitter: twitter.com/caliradan. Instagram: instagram.com/caliradan. Happy Imagining!
In the mid 80's, my father liked to paint war scenes; and I also noticed that in the 70's, he would paint a lot of fantasy scenes. At that time, in the 70's, he would also paint on vehicles and motorcycle tanks. Artist go through different phases, for example, Picasso's Blue Period. One reason why I'm posting this picture today is because today is Veteran's Day. Thanks to all of you that serve or have served! And, thanks to my Dad for serving! Happy Imagining!
Is this a crime scene? I sure hope not because it's my kitchen. We are now to the point of fixing some walls in the kitchen. We had to put plastic around so dust wouldn't be everywhere in the house.
Inside the plastic room, we still have dirty dishes back there somewhere, so that means that I don't have to take care of them quite yet, YAY! We put up plastic over the cabinets and appliances to keep the dust off.
I had to show this, this is part of a wall where we have to fix the dents. I think this whole house was either painted a dark red, and on some other walls I've seen olive green. Now, I don't have anything against those colors, just when the whole house is painted those dark colors. I'm glad they painted everything white. Although, they painted the kitchen yellow. I like yellow, just not for this kitchen. You will get to see what color it will be once we are done with the kitchen.
Well, I must be on my way. Happy Imagining!
I've been busy with the kitchen project that I almost forgot to start on my Christmas cards. Here's a preview of what I started working on. I like to work in Adobe Illustrator, I know most people like to work in Photoshop, but I guess that's one thing that makes me a little different. I've been designing my own Christmas cards since 2009, I started because I worked in a print shop and I would see customers who did their own personalized Christmas cards. I thought that was a great idea, so I designed my Christmas card during off hours and I would use the left-over paper from big print jobs.
I don't work in a print shop anymore, but I haven't stopped designing and printing my own Christmas cards. I'll probably do this for the rest of my life.
Please feel free to get a hold of me for any creative needs. Do remember that if things are time sensitive that they should be started earlier so that they can be done on time. I haven't officially started my own business or freelance, but I am willing to start. I'm on Facebook, facebook.com/caliradan. Follow me on Twitter, twitter.com/caliradan. Follow me on Instagram, instagram.com/caliradan. Happy Imagining!
At my Mom's old house, there was a grapevine on the fence by the garage. When autumn would come along, the leaves would change all sorts of colors. The grapes were sour, so we never ate them off the vine. The owners before us use to make jam, we just never got into that. Kind of miss the vines; this time of year there would be a whole wall of green, yellow and red leaves with dark violet grapes.
I'm also posting this picture because, once again, I've been busy. It's just easy for me to go through my photo album on my computer and share it. Our house is in disarray, and that means that the craft room is too. I promise, there will be something else on here soon besides old photos.
Until then, visit my Facebook page, facebook.com/caliradan. Follow me on Twitter, twitter.com/caliradan. Follow me on Instagram, instagram.com/caliradan. Happy Imagining!
You may ask "What is a space monkey?", and I would tell you "I don't know, it's just something I made." I like to sew without a pattern, which is fine if you don't plan on wearing the thing I sewed. This was just cut out of scrap fabric, then sewn together. I used fabric glue on the light blue patches.
The reason why I made a space monkey is because I had to make something for my Sci-fi class in college. I figured that no one would come in with a blue, hand-made space monkey, and honestly, I forget the whole story behind the monkey, but I'm sure it was pretty creative because I passed. Little kids seem to like it, my godson wanted it, but, for obvious reasons (button eyes, pictured below), I could not give it to him.
I just used big black buttons with smaller green buttons on top. Then sewed little nostrils and a thin mouth. The funny thing about this monkey is I never kept him in the same room where I slept because his eyes kind of creep me out.
Keep monkeying around. Happy Imagining!
I've been busy with house projects lately, so I wanted to say that I will be back soon with more post of art and oddball stuff.
I decided to post a cool picture of a motorcycle museum that is located in East LoDo in Denver, I like it and wanted to share. The museum is called Vintage Motos and their website is vintagemotos.com. I would suggest to go check it out if you like motorcycles and are in Denver, but, I believe that they are only open on Saturdays, check the website.
Check out some of my web stuff too. I'm on Facebook, facebook.com/caliradan. Follow me on Twitter @Caliradan. You can also follow me on Instagram, of course, the name to look for will be Caliradan. Happy Imagining!
This is a little sneak peek of our kitchen project. Here are some of the tools we are using, I'm sure that our friend, Chris, will be happy we are not using the pink hot glue gun (lol).
From this photo, you can see that we are making a template for new counter-tops. This island was actually, at one point, a peninsula; we just rearranged the cabinets and made room for the dishwasher by the sink. Of course, all will be explained once I do the kitchen tutorial.
Well, I better go figure out what kind of dinner I can make in a kitchen that is in disarray. Happy Imagining!
This is a fun pen! Obviously, it's Uncle Sam, but it is also like Rock'em Sock'em Robots (some people will know what I'm talking about). Sam's arms move forward in a punching motion (like Rock'em Sock'em), only his head doesn't pop off.
He ended up in my possession by accident. I worked at a little mom n' pop print shop who had a gift store in the front of the shop. This was definitely one of the most interesting jobs I have ever had. A regular customer had purchased one of these pens and had brought it back a few days later. The pen part of this contraption didn't work. So, Brad (the pop of mom n' pop), just gave her a new one that worked, and handed me the broken one. I guess he thought I wanted one because I would always play with them when I was standing at the counter... hey, it reminded me of Rock'em Sock'em Robots, a fond childhood memory. I actually think the reason these sold in the store was because I would be playing with them while the customer was shopping and the customer must have saw how entertained I was with the silly novelty pen.
Here is the punching action
I wish I could of got another one, I would play Rock'em Sock'em Uncle Sam with whoever wanted to play (hehe). Well, I must be on my way. Happy Imagining!
I have a pink Spyderco knife that my husband bought for me. I lost the original at a restaurant; it fell out of my pocket, and, of course, I didn't know that it was gone until hours later. See, the problem with having an awesome (and pink) pocket knife is not with the knife itself, but, the jeans I was wearing at the time. Many manufactures of female pants and jeans think that women don't need deep pockets. In fact, they barely give you any front pockets or non at all. So, when my husband bought me another one I decided to made a lanyard for it so I would never lose it again, and because I can't change all of the pockets in women's pants.
It is a great knife and I highly recommend that everyone get a Spyderco knife, they are made in Golden, Colorado. So, if you live here, go get one. If you plan on taking a vacation to the Denver area, go get one. Or, I'm sure you could find them on their website.
Here's what it looks like on one of my pairs of jeans which, actually, doesn't have shallow pockets. I just took 4 black fabric cords, and did a "friendship bracelet" knot (I'm not so sure what that knot is called). Then, tied it off on the knife and on the metal clip, wrapped a wire around the cord at the base of the knife and the metal clip to keep the cord in place.
I like it when I can make something instead of going out and buy something that someone else made. I feel self-reliant, bring on the zombie apocalypse... actually, don't! I don't feel like dealing with zombies. I think it's bad enough to go to Walmart on a Sunday. Happy Imaging!
I'm posting this picture in light of what is happening in our country right now. I'm not political, I don't follow any of that. I'm not for any side, I think all politicians are morons, I'm sure there are good politicians that don't get any recognition. I believe that anyone can come to America, become a citizen and work their way to the top. I believe in helping the people who truly need help, but I don't believe in hand-outs. I believe every law abiding American should have the right to own a gun. I also believe that women should have a choice. I believe people should have the right to marry who they love. I believe that America should look at the pros of marijuana and not the cons, we should look at the benefits of this plant and work with all of the resources that it can provide (this coming from a person who is allergic to NSAID's).
There are probably some things I missed, but, I believe that the government is not doing their job and not doing what is best for the American people. I, unfortunately, don't think anything is going to change, no matter who is in office. I hear people complain all of the time, I see it all over Facebook, hear it on the news... and nothing changes.
Sorry for getting so serious on this post, I usually only concentrate on creative stuff. This has been everywhere and it is getting annoying. I hope that everyone can create a better tomorrow, whether it be for themselves or for the world. I try to find good in everything, and while I was standing on my little soapbox, I thought of something I forgot. I believe that America is an awesome place and I'm glad to call it home. Remember, Happy Imagining!
I was going through some of my digital pictures on my computer and ran across some of my pictures from when I lived in 5 Points, Denver. When my husband and I lived in 5 Points, we would take walks all over 5 Points, Downtown Denver, Capitol Hill, City Park and LoDo. I would always bring my camera along, actually, I always take my camera everywhere anyway. One night, we were walking through Downtown and passed by some newspaper stands. As you can see in the picture, a cassette tape was sitting on the top of one of those newspaper stands, with a label on it with the title "THE REALITY OF HELL". I didn't want to touch it, so, I took a picture of it. I was curious of what was on it, but never found out.
Just some of the strange things you can find Downtown. Happy Imagining!
