Category Archives: creative

crafty, handlettering Leave a comment

Hobby-ception

Last week, The YouTube Algorithm thought I’d like to watch a video about making linocut prints.

After going down a fascinating rabbit hole of learning about carving techniques, Picasso’s reduction printing process, and a few other topics, I realized that this could be a great alternative to sewing custom tags into garments and other sewing projects I make.

I ordered up a box of pink erasers, designed a “2024” stamp, and set about finding my Speedball carving tool.

(That last step took a few days… I stored my rarely-used carving tool someplace clever so I’d remember where I put it.)

This morning, I carved my stamp, and I am pleased. It’s not perfect, but it’s what I wanted, and I’m not going to let perfect be the enemy of good.

photography Leave a comment

Revisiting My Disused Collection of Film Cameras

The last time I loaded up a film camera to take out on a day trip was Spring Break of 2023, and it didn’t go well. My beloved HolgaMod had been idle for so long that the shutter seized up, and I had to try my hand at disassembling it and lubricating the moving parts to get it working again.

Today, we’re preparing to head out on a very similar day trip, and I’m contemplating which camera to bring (and whether to bring one at all). Film is a lot more expensive than it used to be, as is developing, but photography is still a hobby I enjoy.

Even if I kind of forgot that I enjoy photography.

Having my most recent irreplaceable parcel of undeveloped film get lost in the U.S. Postal System en route to California for processing really put a damper on my desire to keep shooting film. As I’ve been looking through my old blog posts of test rolls and film photography in general, though, I’m reminded of how much I do enjoy film photography.

I’m also reminded that I never did finish my analysis of which cameras in my collection need work, are good for selfies, are best for low light, et cetera. I may work on that, so that I can choose a proper axe more easily the next time we head out on a photo-worthy day trip.

gardening, photos Leave a comment

Friendly Firefly

I found this little guy doing the backstroke in the birdbath when I went to fill it up this morning. When I gently splashed him out of the water, to my surprise, he started climbing up the side of the bowl.

I didn’t see him land here on my maple bonsai-in-progress, but I assume it’s the same firefly. He’s been hanging out on this leaf for some 15 minutes or so, presumably drying himself off.

We’re just chilling here together before the temps turn unseasonably warm later today.

Also? As I was writing this, tapping on my phone and sitting in the Adirondack chair with my big friend, a critter sauntered under my chair and into the plants behind me. Guess I’ve been chill enough that he didn’t even care that I’m here.