DIY Vinyl Letter Art!!

This is the awesome painting that I made over the past 48 hours. It was a lot of fun, and I really like the results. I just used stuff I had lying around so my cost for this project was $3 for the Vinyl Letters.

Materials:

Canvas - I used a 12x16
Acrylic paint
Paint brush
Vinyl Letters
Palette or paper plate
Water

First I made an underpainting that I could put the letters on top of. I decided I wanted an ombre effect, so I painted a gradation from white to yellow to pink. I love pink! It was really quick and I just applied lines of paint to my canvas. (It was an old one that already had an unfinished painting on it, so some of that peaks through)

After the underpainting dried, about 30 minutes, I applied my letters. I did measure out margins, but I decided not to use a ruler to line up the letters because I have a decent eye for placement and because I am OK with it looking a little homemade or ragged.

The blue "T" is one I made from masking tape since I only got four "E's." Next step is painting over the letters and the underpainting. I wanted to make it black to make it high contrast, and because the phrase is a song lyric from "Everlasting Light" by the Black Keys.

This is the beginning of painting over the underpainting. I was tempted to leave it this way because it looks pretty awesome just like that. But I kept going and ended up with a black canvas. It was at this point I painted the edges of the canvas so that it looks nice if I decide not to frame it.

The next step of this is super fun! Splatter-painting! I put a bit of paint on my palette and then  dipped my brush in water then in the paint so that I had a liquid-ey thinner paint that would splatter when I flicked the brush. I did the part in layers, color by color, allowing the paint to dry in between.

This is what it looked like before I peeled off the letters. And now, the big reveal!

All finished! And I think it came out totally awesome! It is definitely going in our new house.

I had tons a fun doing this project. The letters were easy to work with and I love any opportunity to make a mess.

I Just Need to Vent for a Moment...

So I'm back to living at home after having an awesome apartment by myself. And then I spent the summer working 65 hours a week between two jobs and breaking it up with a couple of trips to semi-close places. But now, here I am, sitting at home with a regular schedule and evenings off and it's been a week and I already want to kill my mother. I'm tired of being knit-picked at imposing on her whim's and having someone else tell me what to do and how to do it.
I have so many little things that have been driving me crazy. Now I will admit that many of them are small things that I should be able to let go of; but it's a LOT of small things, and eventually they all add up. Like the time I tried to make tacos and almost added chili powder to the meat. Suddenly, I was the worst cook ever and I was purposely trying to give my mom heartburn by adding something spicy to the mixture. *Chili powder is NOT spicy* And apparently adding gobs of spaghetti sauce to taco meat doesn't pose a problem. It just makes weird hybrid Italian tacos.
Also, leaving the TV on for the cat to watch while you do things elsewhere in the house... Seriously?
And then the constant "I worked SO hard today. It must be from all the cleaning I did with my stuff two days ago." Bitch please, you work three days a week for less than 20 hrs!
Today, when asked some random question about some potatoes while I was trying to hook up our new router and create a network (something that took a bit of my attention) I got yelled at for pointing out that I was busy. Perhaps I could've used nicer language than "I'm busy, and I don't really care." But I was busy and it's potatoes; not really a pressing issue. But then she's all "Why are you so cranky? You were fine ten minutes ago." Well, I wasn't as busy then... So then I tried to explain that sometimes I get cranky because I have PMDD and even though I know I'm being cranky and I know why I can't help it. Generally I try to leave everyone alone during those times, but for someone who comes into my space at while and complains about stupid bullshit, you're going to get some bitchiness in your direction. And of course anything I tried to explain got blown out of proportion until we were arguing about how clearly I'm unappreciative and rude, and I was getting frustrated because my mother didn't understand and I don't want to continue trying to explain to her something she just isn't getting. Why waste my energy?
And then it turns out that my mother just doesn't take me seriously ever and wants to tell me that if I'm so unhappy I should just move out and instead of being civil about something that isn't going to happen we can then sever all ties. Apparently, my mom thinks that if I move out she doesn't have to be a helpful mom anymore in any way, which sounds rational until you realize that even though I have covered my own expenses for years (cell phone, car insurance, car payment, rent, internet, school supplies through high school, clothes I actually need, groceries) if I move out permanently I shouldn't be allowed to stay on the family insurance and I should legally be declared independent and lose my health insurance and scholarships. Which, I must say, is a bit of a dick move. Really? If I move out you don't want to help me so I can succeed at all?!?
Obviously, if I want to leave so that we can both be happier and more tolerant of each other you should definitely do everything you can to fuck your daughter over.
And I don't want to leave yet because I don't want to be fucked over. SO why are you even mentioning it like it's a possibility. Gah!!!

**Sorry for the rantiness I just needed to get that out even though it makes me sound like an asshole teenager**

Monday, Monday

I so totally have a case of the Mondays. It was a long day of learning how to teach children, pretending to be children, actually teaching children, performing for people, planning for teaching children on Wednesday, and then discussing performance anxiety. And somewhere in there I ate about a bazillion freezy pops. OK like 3, but this is just the beginning.

I am addicted to freezy pops. Like capital A-ddicted. When I'm sick: freezy pops. When I'm hot cause it's summer: freezy pops. When I want a snack: freezy pops. I would eat them for every meal of the day if they weren't so insubstantial.

So since Monday isn't my favorite and I was feeling a little down I thought this song was apropos. It's been a good time for music lately. There's a lot of big stuff coming. Like Jack White is releasing Blunderbuss next week!!! And I am soooooo excited. And Incubus and Linkin Park are touring, although they're not coming to my house. (I don't think they normally make house calls anyway though). 

I just realized today that I only have three more Mondays to go before I'm done with school and get to walk and get my fancy diploma, which I learned today will be Summa Cum Laude. I must be doing something right, even if it is a state school and some people will scoff at that. 

There's been stuff happenin' up in here like crazy lately. Like I went to three concerts last week and then I went to a party with the oboes, since we party so fab. And then we went out to Bemis Point to checkout this little restaurant that was so Americana and had amazing prices with great food. Totally going back one of these days, even if it is a 45 minute drive over hills that will make your ears pop about fifty times.

And just because I love Atmosphere. Enjoy!

Oops...

Oh my goodness! School started and I've been neglectful. It's been a bit craz-ay up in here y'all. I came back to school and there went all of my free time and sleeping time. Then my computer died and I'm still in the process of getting my new one set up to my specifications. I had all these awesome photos and they are GONE! (And yes, I normally back stuff up but it's usually once a week, and this was in between those times)
THEN I got an ulcer and spent the day in the hospital and then had to go home to my doctor and then come back to school to play in a concert, and just now am I starting to feel normal again and like I can manage everything.
SO eventually there will be something of a photo dump happening, but that's only once I can get my stuff off of my old harddrive. In the meanwhile I'll try to be more exciting.

Mustering enthusiasm,

Rachel

And... done.

Yay the dreaded first day of classes is over!!! Although, Monday is the least of my worries compared to the rest of the week. Audition results turned out well. Who's in the top band and orchestra? This girl. And I get to play bass oboe for Holst's "Planets" this semester! Of course, now I have homework.

Here's my suggestion for this evening: Go listen to The Black Keys "Dead and Gone." It's TONS of fun, and will make your evening more pleasant.

Too many dishes and readings,

Rachel

Auditions, House Managing and Anxiety

Today wasn't particularly happy. There were auditions which only went so well, and then there was proctoring flute auditions which was a lot of high anxiety and competition.

Then I waited a bit so I could go to a house manager meeting. I am an assistant house manager on campus. Which I think is one of the coolest jobs you can have as a student. The work isn't particularly steady, but since I have to go to shows anyways I might as well get paid for it.

This is the crew of house staff that worked the YoYoMa show last semester, and that's me looking like a dork on the left. We were accidentally all matchy matchy.
So I get to work like nine shows this semester including getting to see Red Grammer in a few weeks!!!! I'm so totally hoping they do some Rattlin' Bog.

I'm starting to feel a little anxious about the first day of classes, which is tomorrow. I have some pretty hefty courses this semester AND a recital. (So yes, I have returned to biting my nails) I already have one wackjob professor that's all about doing reading before the first class, which is kindof blowing my mind since none of my other courses have ever been as bad as AP courses, with things like pre-reading and excessive emails. To combat this I'm rocking out to some pretty sweet music on stereomood.com which is just about the coolest thing ever.

Procrastinating on cleaning my apartment and freaking out a little bit,

Rachel

Saturday Blahs

I just got back to my lovely apartment at school the other day and I'm starting to gear up for the beginning of the spring semester. If you're a music major like me this means one thing: seating auditions. And there is nothing that I HATE more than seating auditions.


Being an oboist seating auditions also means that I have to go see my professor for reed help the evening before the audition. Which means that today I have to make reeds. Ugh :( I'm planning on needing about 2 or 3 hours to make all of the reeds I need for tonight, and hopefully I won't go insane between now and then.

Seating auditions also means that maybe I should take a look at some of my audition music since I have about 20 hours left to learn it if I don't sleep at all tonight. I doubt it'll take more than an hour though.

Instead of engaging in either of these lovely activities I have spent the day watching Soul Eater.
It's this pretty fabulous anime, at least in concept. I'm about ten episodes in and while I like the idea of the whole series, I'm a little annoyed by the obvious character flaws and the lack of a strong plot. Although I REALLY LIKE the concept. It would be pretty sweet if BBC made a version of it.

Anyways, I think my cane is soaked and I can start working so it at least appears as thought I accomplished something today. Maybe I'll do some crafting coming up in the next week.

Still in my pajamas on a grey Saturday,

Rachel <3

You Know It's Finals Week When...

I'm pretty sure every single person in college is looking at junk like this right now since it's big ol' scary finals week, but I'm pretty sure I have found the *best* definition of finals week: When your drink took more time and effort to prepare than your actual meal. ie. you walked through freezing rain just to go to the on campus store to purchase a Rockstar or Amp after eating ramen in your room. OR it took you five minutes to make a fancy cocktail and you just threw a frozen pizza in the microwave. (if you're me).

Now, I must admit that when I'm stressed the masculine alcoholic inside of me evaporates and I'm all about the fruity, sugary, syrupy stuff that girls are known for. My favorite: the margarita (no salt please). So for dinner tonight I decided to break out the last of the margarita mix, throw in the last of the Cuervo and have a blender party for one while I waited for my cardboard pizza. That's how you know it's finals week. And that's how you start Christmas vacation properly.

Speaking of Christmas, tomorrow is the day for a Christmas explosion in my apartment. It's the "half way to Christmas and I'm so excited that I have to cover everything I own in glitter and shineyness" Craftabonanza!

So expect some pictures, and make sure you bring a vacuum for all the excess glitter.

So much glitterrrrrr,
Rachel

I think I'm Pretty Awesome

Maybe you might like me.

That's not to say that I have confidence issues, quite the contrary. I'm just a broke college student, and you might think I do some pretty fun things sometimes, and that might amuse you. I'm into lots of stuff, like music and crafting and being klutzy and ridiculous. I usually try to avoid doing dishes and laundry. I particularly hate washing dishes. I don't mind the laundry but it does involve walking 200 ft. outside in what is usually cold weather with some form of precipitation over and over again until everything is finally clean and dry. And who would want to do that on a weekly basis?!?

Mostly I just like to be busy and productive with my thousand and one ideas. So maybe you might think that's A-OK. A maybe you might like me.

New endeavors and procrastination,

Rachel