My Haircut and Haircolor

"I love your hair!" "How beautiful!" "You can definitely pull hat cut off!" Are what I hear a lot from coworkers, friends and family. I smile often and thank them. They quickly follow up with a version of, "My family/partner would kill me if I did that to my hair." Control over someone over their hair. I remember when I was young, it hurt when my parents brushed the tangles out of my hair, it was super curly and when they brushed out the curls and it would be wavy, it would still get tangled quickly. I wanted my hair to be long and beautiful like all the other kids who were beautiful and perfect hair. My parents didn't want to deal with my hair so cut it short. My choice was taken away from me. I got to be an adult and I realized I could choose how long my hair was and grew it out. I grew it so long it was below my butt. I was proud of it and all the hair styles I did with it. Time passed and I was growing weary of migraines and always having it up. I couldn't have it around my neck, I decided to cut it but it was my choice. I got a bit nervous that my now husband would disapprove but he encouraged me to do what I wanted. I got it cut several times after trying to get the perfect length. I was quite happy with my hair as an A-line hair cut... Short in the back and long in front and it looks like an A. I started to dye my hair, it was again a little nerve-wracking when I thought my husband would be mad at me for doing something radical like a bright red color. He encouraged me to be the best me I could be. I was happy. Earlier this year, I was mulling over a shorter haircut that would cause me to look more peculiar. I discovered a hair cut called the Chelsea and I fell in love but I was fairly normal looking or could blend in pretty easily, but a Chelsea would be shaved in the back of the head and leave the front at any desired length. I talked to my husband and he said he wasn't sure how to feel about it due to work. I couldn't help it and made the punge, he said to me it would take some "getting used to", but he is happy if I am happy. I am. I'm happy that I have a freedom to do with my body what I will. He is my partner but not my boss, not my emperor. He doesn't tell me no because he is uncomfortable. If I'm on the fence, he tells me his preference and I do the same courtesy for him. I am happy that I have a freedom like this. I wish freedom to all in relationships, how ever you see that freedom

Filet Crochet - Wings and Wind

I've been working on a wrap shawl in Filet crochet stitch pattern. I'm putting wing picture in them. I found a cross stitch pattern and I'm using it. 

Here's what I have so far... 

 I only have 4 rows and the design has just been started. I hope it starts to show more. I started with chain stitch and I chained as long as I wanted it to be (the pattern I used was 3 to start and I counted every 2 for the chain and fx that I will be using as I go on with the pattern) then I chained an extra 3 chain stitch. And turned, then there was a double crochet and then chain and repeat to end. I would turn and then chain 3 and dc. Sir the pattern would be:

Ch as far as you wish (6+1 ch)

Row 1 - ch 3, dc, ch 1(skp 1 ch), dc, ch 1(skp 1 ch), *repeat around.

Repeat row 1 until desired width.

Yellow is one of the colors associated with wind. It's a refreshing element and is associated with strength and wisdom.

I'm having fun making this wrap. Stay tuned. I'm gonna crochet more and show each day. >^..^<

Shade and Sweet Water,

CJ, The Midnight Artist

Crochet Projects Part 1 of Many

I have been crocheting since I was 4 years old and I am 36. I have so much fun making all my projects. I want to post any progress I have on my projects as time goes by. I will start with what I am working on. 

I found a hounds tooth pattern and I made an infinity scarf and today's is done with dark purple made by Caron's Simply Soft and a bright pink, unknown type of yarn, it was free but it feels like acrylic yarn. I hope you like it too. Oh! And here is a link to the pattern - http://www.elkstudiohandcraftedcrochetdesigns.com/2013/01/23/excited-about-crochet-patterns/

1 Down, 364 to Go

I know that I have started a challenge before and failed but I cannot stop trying. I have been thinking and thinking and researched a challenge that you draw 1 drawing to completion for 1 year. I hope to grow as a person and an artist. I have finished the first drawing last night. It took me 2 hours to finish...

http://m7.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/dreamweaver_no1/1330709848.jpg.html?o=0

I think setting aside atleast 2 hours a day for this isn't bad. I am looking forward to this challenge and seeing what it evolves into

Sketches in the Works

I have started a challenge for myself. I am going to do a sketch or drawing a day for a week, scan them into the computer at the end of the week and you will see how many times I can get something done. I need to work on my comic, "Contact Seperation" Perhaps I will do some of those pages and post them here as a teaser. I am doing it for an old school Elfquest group called, "Ocean's Edge". They are a really fun group. They are all excited about the comic still. I promised them this comic. In my head, I thought it would only take 3 or 4 issues... but I worked out the story on paper and it is going to take me 10 issues to finish it... I am on the 4th issue right now. I never sent them issue 3... so, it is going to be odd... but, I am getting to the part in the story I like the best, so if I can just focus, I can get it finished in no time! :D

I know this post was short, but I will talk to you next week and you will hopefully see 7 sketches. :D

Shade and Sweet Water! :D

Long over due

This entry is going to be a bit long, sorry for that. Last month, I went to L.A. to visit friends and when I got back, I planned on posting an entry in a few days. I was doing ok for the first day, that night, I went into work and got a fever and got super sick over the next few days. I felt a bit better 2 days later, went back to work and when I woke up the next afternoon, I called my doctor, an advice nurse told me to go to the Emergency Room as it sounded like things were not getting better. I went and I spent about 12 hours in there. I found out, I have a sinus infection, an ear infection and bronchidas. They gave me antibiotics for my infections and pain killers. I spent the next week, sleeping and going in for work. I was exsausted. The next week, I have been spending catching up on all the things I put aside and the last week, I just found another excuse to not post here in this blog. I am so very sorry.

On a posative note, I am gonna post the interview with Lydia. She is a great artist. She is creator of a comic series called, "Search for the Truth". It is based on the BBC show called, "Doctor Who". I am a huge fan of both. :D



1) Name - Lydia Butz

2) Age - 19 years, 2 months and 25 days.

3) Favorite color?
Reds. Warm colours. Generally.

4) First memory of inspiration?
When I was about six or seven, I made my own album. All the tracks were made up on the spot and included such hits as 'Do the Strawberry' and 'Pineapple on My Head'. Apparently when grasping for ideas I immediately go for fruit. Anyway, my mum got in on it and we made an album cover and everything in Photoshop, which was a big deal in 1996. I really loved it and it was the first time I felt that creative and inspired.

5) How close are you to your family?
Very. On my mum's side anyway. I get on a little too well with my mum, and her two sisters and their families. I get on swimmingly with my older brother Ben too. It's my dad's side that I never see or talk to, as they live on the other side of the country and I don't exactly get on with my father. Despite our SEVERE differences though, I would still consider myself to be close with my dad. Sort of. I guess. Does that make sense?

6) What inspires you?
Um... Good stories.

7) I know you have a comic, "Search for the Truth", do you have other projects?
Yes I do! I like working on my Space Whale story and my Octogod pantheon. My brother and I also come up with comics related to movies and in-jokes, but I never get around to making them, much to his frustration.

8) If you could make money doing anything in the world, what would you do?
Be David Tennant's PA. It's the perfect job! I love paperwork, sorting things, David Tennant, fetching coffee... you name it! Well, actually David would be the one naming things. As he would be my boss.

9) Do you like music?
I ADORE music. Don't get me started, please. We'd be here all week.
(Velvet Underground FTW)

10) What kind of television shows do you like?
British television! TV is sort of my hobby, so it'd be hard to list all the shows I like. I love Comedies, like Black Books, Peep Show, Vicar of Dibley, Spaced and the IT Crowd, and fun Sci-Fi stuff like Doctor Who, Being Human, Supernatural, Firefly and Buffy. Oh, and panel shows. I love panel shows.

11) What kind of movies do you like?
Clever, lovely comedies and clever, lovely dramas. My two favourite movies are Withnail & I and American Beauty, if that gives you an idea.

12) I am aware of you liking Doctor Who, what other British tv shows do you like?
Well, I think I named them all above... WAIT! LIFE ON MARS. I forgot Life on Mars.

13) To clarrify this question for the readers, 'Your Doctor' is defined as the doctor you started watching the series, 'Doctor Who', with. Who is your Doctor?
Christopher Eccleston. I still miss him sometimes... *sigh*

14) Does your favorite Doctor differ from 'Your Doctor'?
Yep. Eccleston comes in second behind a tied Tennant and Tom Baker. Trailing in tied third are Pertwee and Troughton.

15) If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Cardiff, Wales. I could hang around the Plass as much as I wanted and take the train to London to see a play every once and a while. I'd love that. Plus, there'd be the opportunity to work for the BBC.

16) If you could go visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Right now I'd love to go to Scotland, or Ireland. Or Slovakia, where half my family's from and I really should visit just for educational and genealogical purposes.

17) Is there anyone special in your life?
Nope. If by special you mean boyfriend. I hardly think I'm mature enough, but it'd be nice.

18) Tennant or Eccleston?
Bwah... Um, Tennant. They're equally as charming but I think Tennant's bum is the tie breaker.

19) Who got you started watching Doctor Who? Who do we have to thank for your fandom?
Er, no one actually! I caught 'Rose' on TV one day by pure and random chance and I was absolutely hooked. I knew nothing of Doctor Who for the whole first season. I'd honestly never even heard of the show. Ever. My mind was severely blown when Eccleston regenerated. I never saw that coming for a second.
But then the CBC were stupid and showed The Christmas Invasion at a WEIRD time and I never even knew it existed until I was well finished the second series. It really cleared things up a lot. Thanks CBC. o_o

20) (I need links to three of your favorite pieces) What three (3) pieces are your favorite?
UM. TOUGH ONE. I'm just going to pick the ones that I'm the most proud of.
~*~ ~*~

My Family Portrait

When I was strapped for cash, my friend, Rachel, commissioned me. She asked that I draw my family through my eyes. I drew us as Pixie, Bluejake and my daughter, Grim. We have elf ears because of our love for fantasy, the art we do and everything we are into. I love this piece. I had to draw us seperately and I put us together in Photoshop. I did the colors with Prisma color and the line work was done with Sharpie pens, the new sharpie pens are amazing. They don't bleed at all and they won't fade as I erase the pencil work that I did and when I have to go over the lines after coloring something, it dries fast.

So, here is the beautiful picture. :D