I'm am so excited to introduce Elenatintil! You've probably heard me talk about her before. Although I haven't met her in person (yet), she has been a huge inspiration in my life! She runs the Fairy Tale Forum, edits and produces I&F, directed the Shadow of the Bear-- The Movie, helped get me started on the whole writing-is-actually-really-really-fun, and more.

Elena is a wonderful artist, and I've been amazed by her coloring skills. Today she is sharing a tutorial on digital coloring. You don't have to buy a fancy software-- Elena uses GIMP, which you can download for free here.

Elenatintil is a writer, artist, and costumer who regularly blogs on art, film, books and life at www.elenatintil.blogspot.com. She also is an occasionally ambitious filmmaker, whose latest project is a feature length film based on Regina Doman's "The Shadow of the Bear." You can find out more about the film by going to www.theshadowofthebear.blogspot.com. In her spare time Elena writes for and produces the (FREE!) e-magazine "Ink and Fairydust" under the name "Elizabeth Hausladen." You can read back issues and more about about the magazine at www.inkandfairydust.com.
 

Hey, everyone! Thanks to Ashley, who did a questionnaire over at her blog and thus inspired me, I spent my entire (really limited) computer time yesterday writing up a blog interrogation questionnaire for y'all!


Wondering what I've been up to? JEWELRY! Oh, yeah! In the past week or two I've made... I don't even want to bother counting. Take my word for it-- I've made a lot of jewelry.

Taking the photos, editing, uploading, pricing, and writing descriptions takes a very long time, and I'm spending most of my time studying for 7 tests I get to take next week. (yay me). However, you should see these up in the Shoppe in a week or two!

I meant it when I said "a lot"

I am pleased to introduce you to my newest guest blogger-- Katy Sue! 

She has been a follower of my blog for quite some time, so I am glad you all get to meet her! Today she is sharing how to make a DIY Earrings Display. Don't forget to check out { her blog }, too!

So... I'm starting to compile all of the online events I have participated in. Here goes!

You, like me, are about to be captivated by the beautiful art of drawing Celtic knotwork... without the tangles of headaches.

This video is by Vi Hart, a "recreational mathemusician." You might have to watch the video a few times, because shetalksasfastasIdowhenIgetexcited (translates to: she talks as fast as I do when I get excited.)

TaDa! Super easy, what did I tell you?

Don't ask. The left page is true spagetti knotwork, and the right is what I do when I am bored...

I love Vi Hart's videos. I wish all math could be taught this way. I would learn so much more! This reminds me of non-Eucledian geometry... I liked it because M.C. Escher did a really neat drawing with it that got me interested.

Seriously... I don't like numbers-- I prefer shapes and finding the little patterns in things (but only after I know the big picture-- I'm all right brained like that, and the rest of my family doesn't understand me). This is why I loved geometry (except for the proofs) and detest Alegbra II with vehemence.



Does this remind anyone of M.C. Escher? Here he combined tessellations and the hyperbolic plane.

image source

Random fact: Did you know that the hyperbolic plane can be make out of crochet? It's the only medium that works...


This is as of two weeks ago: "Let's say you're in math class. You're supposed to be learning about exponential functions, but you're having trouble caring about exponential functions."

I still don't care about exponential functions-- at least when logarithms and other bizzare things are concerned-- but do you know what? This visual description of exponential growth is both fun and makes much more sense than a graph with an asymptote.

Since I'm on the topic of artsy-things, I thought I'd share this link with you. A very nice set of articles. A friend of mine (curse you, Perry the Platypus! *cough* I mean "Sir Humnus") made me spend an entire week pondering dimensions and tesseracts and whatnot. Seriously, he gave me one link and managed to take over my mind. I had a strange dream concerning a box that is a nail suddenly appearing in the middle of my room... Oh, and read the book Flatland. I got it free on my iPod. It's like... extreme awesomeness.

Recently I've been featured in several new Artfire Collections (much like Etsy treasuries). I wanted to share them with you! I'm so honored to be included! Here's to HP and St. Pat's day...

No, I haven't disappeared! As I mentioned earlier, I am cutting back on my computer time this Lent.

I'll still be checking my email and the Shoppe daily, so nothing important will be missed. :)

As far as the Faerie Blog goes... dear Fairy People, never fear! I'll be posting once a week or so.... and I have some awesome guest bloggers lined up for y'all. I can't wait to introduce them!

Speaking of guest bloggers... if you would like to be featured here on my blog, there are plenty of days to fill in the weeks ahead. :) Check out my previous post for more information. I'm not picky and I'd love to have you!

To make Lightswitch Covers, you will need:

Screwdriver

Scrapbook paper

Scissors

Mod Podge glue and a paintbrush

Scotch tape

Any embellishments

Cost: practically free. Most crafters will have these supplies at hand.

Time: 15 minutes of working, around 45 minutes of drying time spread throughout.