The Kickstarter Versa Rulers arrived!

08 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by Julia Monroe in art, crafts, drawing, tools

Tags

angles, Kickstarter, measuring, polygons, ruler, Versa Ruler

The Versa Rulers arrived today! Yay! We were looking forward to these so much.

I’m a big fan of Kickstarter, a terrific funding platform online that helps entrepreneurs get their creative ideas off the ground. Projects range from film and fashion to design and food. I’m especially keen on the technology projects. As soon as I saw this particular project, the Versa Ruler, by Frank Pinal & Carlos Rodriguez, I immediately contributed to their funding. We enjoy making things here and figured that this nifty measuring tool would be very useful. Funding has passed so it’s not possible to contribute pledges for the ruler through Kickstarter, but you can still purchase a Versa Ruler through the Koala Tools website.

The Versa Ruler is a “shape-making 2-D ruling system. Sides connect to form an unlimited amount of measured polygons.” Check out the video from the Kickstarter page to see the Versa Ruler in action. We’ve only just begun to realize its potential. Some possible applications:

Repeat patterns for quiltmaking
Measure and cut moldings
Draw shapes needed for various construction applications
Trim paper for crafts
Drafting, architecture, interior design and many others

Successful Kickstarter project – the Versa Ruler.

The rulers come 4 to a pack with basic instructions.

One set of rulers can be connected together to create three-sided or four-sided polygons.

We purchased two sets for more options. Using all eight rulers, we made a perfect octagon.

Six rulers can form a perfect hexagon, with a maximum diameter of about 14″.

Using five rulers, we formed a pentagon.

Pentagon formed with 5 Versa Rulers.

Although these photos show equilateral polygons, the rulers can be adjusted to skew the polygon in multiple ways, lengthening and decreasing sides and angles.
Kudos to Pinal and Rodriguez and their company, Koala Tools, for creating such a great new measuring tool!

Wood Spoon & a Topiary Tree

01 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by Julia Monroe in crafts, Gilded Girls, Uncategorized, woodwork

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

carving, Gilded Life, Glittered Roses Topiary, wood spoon

I finished the wood spoon but the recipient forgot to take it home. That’s just as well because I forgot to carve my initials in the back. Will do that this week.

Wood spoon with wheat and grapes carved into the handle.

Wood spoon with wheat and grapes carved into the handle

I finally felt like working on a Glittered Roses Topiary, by A Gilded Life for the 12 Artsy Ornaments of Christmas class. I didn’t get very far in the glittering because of pain, no doubt left over from two days of crazy carving, but I’ll tackle it some more tomorrow. The topiary will be beautiful when it is finished! It will look lovely in the guest room/library.

Starting to make the Glittered Roses Topiary, by A Gilded Life for the 12 Artsy Days of Christmas class.

Happy New Year!

Picking up the Carving Tools Again

27 Thursday Dec 2012

Posted by Julia Monroe in crafts, Inspirational, Scoliosis, woodwork

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

carving, gouges, surgery, wood spoon, wooden spoon

It has been months since last I carved.

I am slowly recovering from October’s grueling surgery. Most days I have to sit very still, my back held against a heating pad. But today, despite the pain in my back, I just had to pick up the gouges to work on the old spoon. Handling the wood and gripping the smooth handle of the gouge felt so right. I was comforted.

Grapes and wheat wind around the wood spoon handle.

The wood spoon was buried in a box for months, unfinished.

It felt good holding the wood, gripping the gouge.

Just because something is put away for a long time, even months or years, doesn’t mean it’s gone. When the time is right, it will happen. Be patient. Be at peace while you wait.

My Grandson turned two!

12 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by Julia Monroe in baking, birthday, family, food

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

birthday cake, cake, construction zone cake, dessert, diagonal cake layers, diagonal striped cake, food, striped layers

I’m not quite mobile yet so my 19 year old son made the awesome birthday cake and my oldest son, Everett’s dad, took photos. We used our own recipes for the Vanilla and Devil’s Food Cake layers but followed this site for the construction of the diagonal layers. Totally cool cake for a little boy!

When he first saw the cake, two year old Everett placed his elbows on the table and just stared at the cake dreamily.

Checking out the awesome construction toys on the cake.

Getting more excited!

Moving in close enough to smell all the chocolatey goodness of the Swiss Meringue Buttercream and Oreos.

As soon as he realized he could eat the cake, he ran to the kitchen asking for a fork even before we lit the candles and sang. He paused his careful tasting long enough to blow out the two little candles.

Cutting the chocolate and vanilla layers to construct the diagonal stripes was challenging and took precision. I had never made a cake like this before so my son was on his own to figure it all out. He custom chose the recipes that he thought would work best. He did a terrific job!

Construction Zone cake with diagonal layers.

Thanks to Lauren for her excellent tutorial!

My letter to Santa – 1975

10 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by Julia Monroe in Christmas, family, funny, Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Christmas, Christmas gift, Japanese parasol, letter to santa, most favorite Christmas present, my letter to Santa, paper parasol, Santa

I think I was about 15 years old. I just found the list today, tucked in a stack of old correspondence my mom gave back to me years ago.

My letter to Santa, 1975.

Oh dear, I was so demanding back then! At least I had the good conscience to end the letter giving Mr and Mrs Santa permission to just skip the list. But me oh my, how expensive my requests were! A large concert xylophone? Seriously?

I actually did get three things on the list, which Mr and Mrs Santa efficiently checked off. They didn’t have much money but did their best to make a good life for their kids. Out of all the requests on my Santa’s list, over thirty years later I still cherish the Japanese parasol to this day.

The waxed paper Japanese Parasol I got for Christmas, 1975.

It was a used parasol, the read deal, and it came without a handle. I loved imagining where it might have come from and what gentle lady used it as she walked in her gardens.

Japanese waxed paper parasol – a majestic four feet two inches in diameter and heavy.

Mr and Mrs Santa chose well that year. They could see past my impulsiveness, past my selfishness, all the way to the creative and adventurous girl that I was, even before I knew it. I’m still impressed that they found a parasol, which certainly wasn’t something plucked from a department store rack. It’s heart-warming that Santas all over the world know the hearts of their kids.

And Ma, Thank you. The Japanese parasol is my most favorite Christmas present I have ever received. Love you!

9 Weeks Post – Op

05 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by Julia Monroe in All Sparkled Up, Christmas, home decor, lighting, Scoliosis

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Christmas decor, Christmas lights, Scoliosis, surgery

I’m returning from far away. It is now 9 weeks since my Scoliosis surgery. The recovery got worse before it got better. Weeks went by and I curled up and disappeared and the pain crashed over me and fell down as tears as I lay immobile on my back.

This past week, Week Nine, was a miracle. I went from spending 90% of my day lying flat on my back to 90% of the day sitting up and standing and working with my hands. Last week I couldn’t even move my arm to write a Thank You note without intense pain. This is what we did today.

God was with me before and He goes ahead of me. When I was immobile God taught me beauty in the pain and my peace remained with me. But now I am emerging from that strange time.

I am still in great pain but I am getting strong. As I stood in the dining room and looked at the lights we put up today, I cried. But this time, the tears weren’t from pain, they were from a thankful heart.

Now that I can hold my camera, I shall be posting again. I’ve missed being able to share with you all. Thank you so much for your patience.

Three Weeks post-op Scoliosis Surgery

23 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by Julia Monroe in family, Scoliosis, Uncategorized

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

Eiffel Tower, Paris, Scoliosis, scoliosis surgery, spine, surgery

Also subtitled – How I swallowed an Eiffel Tower.

Today marks 3 weeks since my Scoliosis Surgery on October 2nd. It has taken every minute of those three weeks to get to this point where I can sit at my computer long enough to make this short post.

I am doing well. God cares about every tiny wrinkle in our lives, such as the tiny ones in the back our our shirts. As I lay in bed, unable to change positions without assistance and a lot of pain medication, even a tiny wrinkle in the back of a shirt feels like lying on a boulder. God smoothed out my wrinkles when no one was there and I’ve been resting well in knowing I’m never alone.

My family and friends have been wonderful! I have more encouragement, smiles and joy than steri-strips on my back! Love, Love, LOVE, the beautiful people in my life. <3

Here is my post-op x-ray.

My Scoliosis surgery – 29 bolts and rods from neck to pelvis.

29 bolts, from neck all the way into my pelvis. It was a huge surgery. I get a huge kick out of thinking I have an Eiffel Tower inside. God knows how much I love art and artistic things so I’m thrilled that even my x-ray looks cool, as though the metal was intended to look like an Eiffel Tower all along. I’m planning on making a wall art piece inspired by both my x-ray and the Eiffel Tower, complete with sparkling lights. Perhaps next year I’ll work on it. Must lie down now… happily thinking of a trip to Paris some day.

Vintage Eiffel Tower postcard – beautiful postcard image by http://www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com .

Scoliosis and Keeping it Real

27 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by Julia Monroe in Scoliosis, Uncategorized

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

metamorphosis, Scoliosis, surgery

I love keeping things real. I love originality and crafts and working with my hands, honesty and sunshine. I love true love and sparkles inside and out and God. I love people who are genuine and aren’t afraid to show it. I love change and metamorphosis. So in keeping it Real, here is a photo of me.

Me, before Scoliosis surgery next week. This is what I look like when I stand as straight and tall as I can. I wear the wide, tight back brace 24 hours a day.

I have Scoliosis and my spine is one big old S. I don’t talk about it because I am not defined by my disability. I’m all about creativity and encouragement, choosing joy and sparkle. Scoliosis is something I have, not something I am. But the severity of my Scoliosis has slowly increased over the past five years and I can no longer ignore it. For those who are interested in the numbers, The curves are T5-T12 – 41 degrees; T12-L3- 47 degrees; Lumbar lordosis 54 degrees, thoracic kyphosis 49 degrees. I have been encouraged by reading how others get through Scoliosis surgery so I’m posting a little bit to encourage any older readers who are facing the same thing.

Back in July, I did a couple things wrong. I stretched while reaching for laundry and when I sat back down, my vertebrae settled wrong and crunched a disk. I knew it was bad but just put on a little back brace and kept on going. Two days later, I was outside taking photographs of a deer when it started to rain. I didn’t want my camera to get wet so I ran back to the house. I NEVER run. I haven’t run in over 20 years so I don’t know why I ran that day. I remember thinking “I’m running! I’m running!” and the wind on my face felt glorious and I wanted to run forever. The rush of oxygen through my veins and the pounding of my heart and muscles felt magnificent. At the end of my short run across the yard and up the steps, I remember stopping and suddenly thinking “That was a HUGE mistake!” and all the euphoria drained away as searing, burning pain exploded in me. I lost half an inch that day.

I apologize if this next photo makes you queasy; please scroll past the photo if you desire. This was my MRI taken 3 painful weeks after my accident.

Scoliosis MRI of lumbar area after my injury

In five days, surgery will completely change my life. On Tuesday, October 2nd, I will get a series of metal rods and bolts, some fusion and perhaps wires to stabilize and straighten my deteriorating spine. I’ll grow a couple inches in a day and a whole new world of options awaits me. I will be able to pursue all the dreams that have been held captive by pain the past couple years. I will create inventory for my Etsy Shop and have a grand opening. I’ll be more involved with my church. I will pursue photography because I won’t fear the weight of camera gear or getting into positions to capture the perfect angle. I will travel to Japan and Italy. Perhaps I’ll go back to college to finish my degree or pursue a career in baking and catering. And I will RUN.

Thank you, dear readers, for bearing with me as I go through this metamorphosis. I will write as often as I can. Please don’t ever stop sparkling and sharing your joy with others. Sometimes all it takes is a smile to completely change someone’s day. Go for it!

Love you all.

Waiting for the tide

21 Friday Sep 2012

Posted by Julia Monroe in family, Little Plastic Bears, nature

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

bears, hms endeavour, Little Plastic Bears, ship, sunset, Sunset Beach, sunset beach north carolina, vacation

As the sun set, she carefully positioned the Little Plastic Bears on the ship’s deck. The HMS Endeavour, a British Royal Navy research vessel from the 1700’s was the perfect vessel for The Bear’s maiden voyage at sea.

The Little Plastic Bears get ready to go to sea.

The tide shifted as the sun slipped into the clouds. She quickly positioned a Bear at the helm, studying the surf.

She watched as wave after wave teased the tip of the boat with a frothy kiss.

As the tide receded, and the sun slipped below the horizon, we realized today was not going to be the day The Bears had their grand adventure at sea. Maybe next year.

Sunset Beach, North Carolina, September 2012.

Eventually, the Little Plastic Bears will have their own website, where you can follow all their grand adventures. In the meantime, you can enjoy their debut here.

Such Pretty Things!

07 Friday Sep 2012

Posted by Julia Monroe in crafts, projects, Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

craft supplies, crafts, Jessica Enig, Such Pretty Things, vintage millinery flowers

Such Pretty Things is one of my favorite websites because it has such pretty things! Jessica Enig truly does find the coolest stuff in luscious shades of aqua and pink.

According to her bio on her website:
“Hello and welcome to Such Pretty Things! My name is Jessica Enig and this is my blog. I am a designer, wife, and mother of two beautiful daughters. I truly love all things vintage, floral, pastel and pretty. And I am just crazy for almost every aspect of design – from interior design, styling, and photography to party-planning, floral arranging and baking. I am also a major collector (hoarder?) of vintage textiles, wallpapers from the 1930’s and 1940’s, millinery flowers, vintage ribbon, and Toleware. You should also probably know that I am “slightly” obsessed with Shabby Chic, Target, HomeGoods and Anthropologie. :-)”

Jessica has a shop, Such Pretty Things filled with a splendid array of vintage and new craft supplies, home decor, party goods, cookie sprinkles and more. I just love the sugary goodness of it all.

Not too long ago, I entered a drawing Jessica sponsored and won a box of such pretty things. What a surprise! The vintage millinery flowers are just gorgeous and the pale pink sequins, ribbons, flower brooch and sparkly butterfly inspire me to make something pretty.

A beautiful package from Such Pretty Things arrived the other day.

What a sweet note tucked into the package!

A delightful assortment of vintage millinery flowers, velvet, satin and sheer ribbon, pale pink sequins and gems and a glittery butterfly from Such Pretty Things.

A Big thank you to Jessica for sharing her love of pretty things through her blog.
Jessica, you’re the sweetest!