Just Gotta Hang On....

They Call It History, I Call It Beauty.

I just found out today that the LOC has a flickr page!  You absolutely MUST check it out, especially this set.  They are some of the most stunningly beautiful photos I've ever seen.  The clarity of the photos, the way the photographer captures the beauty of everyday American life, and the people themselves; all are a treat for the visual sense.  Here's just a sampling of what I'm talking about:

Time Killer

Thanks to Ollie and Erinberry, I decided to kill some time at work rather than do, you know, actual work.  This was a lot of fun, but since I only have MS Paint, and not Photoshop at work, mine didn't turn out as well as their's did (although the 3rd one is my favorite).  The rules are over here.  Let me know if you make your own!

It Overtakes Me*

Do you like my new design?  My kick arse header is courtesy of my oh-so-creative buddy, Ollie.  I've also increased the font sizes for those like me who are hopelessly myopic and have a hard time viewing smaller fonts. 

*10 points to anyone but Ollie who can tell me where I got my title from and what it has to do with my design. :)

EM:BE*

No, the new profile photo IS NOT my new haircut.  It's actually a photo taken of me at a friend's wedding in May.  I'll post those photos tomorrow, after deciding which of the series I took looks best for publication (because I'm not so great at taking self-portraits).  (See the post titled "Coif" for the photos!)

Anyway, what I really wanted to discuss is my blog header.  I'm wanting to do a "blog makeover", but I have zero skills in the graphic arts department, and I really need someone to help me out here.  So, if you can come up with a fun, clever, artistic, creative, anything-better-than-what-I-have header, I'd love to see it.  I am even willing to provide compensation for your trouble!  Multiple choices would be great, so that I would have a chance to switch things up when I get bored or just want a change.

So, if you think you could help a girl out, email me at: flamingjune1977@hotmail.com .  Muchas gracias!!

(*Extreme Makeover:Blog Edition)

Postcard Swap!

On August 1st, Karen at Chookooloonks invited her readers to participate in a postcard swap.  You would submit your address to her, and she would in turn, provide you with a list of approximately 10 people for you to exchange a postcard with.  The catch-it had to be created by you, and you had until September 1st to mail them.  I already collect postcards from around the world, so needless to say, the idea intrigued me.  The theme was supposed to be "Beginnings", but being the mini-rebel I am, I decided to go with my own theme of "Strong Women".  My medium is collage, so I searched for words and phrases that I felt were representative of or empowering to a woman's strength.  I also included a photograph I had taken at a local botanical garden, just so that my recipients would get a slice of OKC.  Here is a little visual time line of the creative process and the final product.  I had a great time doing this, and even though I feel that I could do a better job next time, I really enjoyed tapping into my creativity again.  I've already received 2 "postcards" in the mail, and once I receive them all, I'll post photos so you can see how others interpreted this voluntary assignment.  I can't wait to get the rest!

Essential tools for my art:  Glue, Scissors, and an iPod to keep the energy flowing.

Phrase-ology

Beginning assembly-finding key words that compliment each card, so that there is a flow to the words.

The finished product!  1 of 10 going out all over the USA, Canada, and even Spain!