Car talk (with ampm)

Edsel, originally uploaded by Pangie.

I will get better about updating this blog. I will get better about updating this blog.

We've been thinking about a lot of new craft projects in the last few weeks; we've also had high hopes of completing some of our more current projects. I'd blame complications on the sewing machine and other shortages of supplies, but the true excuse is that we've been busy enjoying the sunshine. Hope you have been too!

Thought it's about time I wrote about something relating to the auto industry. We certainly read about the perils of the industry on a daily basis. Now it's time to look at it from a different lens - though the eye of the photographer.

I am not fascinated with cars. In fact, I can't recognize most cars by their brand. (Unless of course it happens to be something that I once drove ... tear for the Civic). Instead, I find it easiest to refer to cars by their color and their size. Rather than referring to a car by its name - '02 Toyota Camry - it may just as well be that blue average sized car to me. Anyway, I digress. For as much as I don't really seem to care about cars, I really do enjoy the photographic qualities that older cars offer my imagination. [Note: I do also appreciate cars for their ability to get me from Point A to Point B, even if I dream of the day when my life does not depend upon or require a vehicle.]

Cars seemed to be such much more intricately designed and manufacturing back in the day when the automotive industry was booming. The headlights, front end and overall detail of most older models always seem to attract my attention. Cars truly were an art form.

These photos, while of different models, are composed in a similar fashion. The Edsel was taken with a 35mm camera, hand developed and hand painted in 2005. The Plymouth Valiant was taken with a Holga and scanned at home just last week. Four years have gone by, more cameras have joined the collection, and I still like how the results have come out.

Will update more frequently - hopefully with some new digs.

Rusty Plymouth, originally uploaded by mbpics.

Stick 'em up

I just have to reminisce about the sheer awesomeness of green army men. They sure are harder to find around these days, but these plastic wonders provided an ungodly amount of entertainment for my brothers and me when we were growing up. (Found @ ReUse Center in A2)

My most favourite (yes, favourite like the Brits, even though favorite is spelled correctly in American blogger!) activity involved wooden blocks, army men and marbles. We'd set up complete obstacle courses in our living room. The marbles would be the "bombs" or "shots" from the opposing armies. This game could last hours, and when my dad got involved it became even more intricate and strategically planned.

I always had this game in my 'bag of goodies' when I went to babysit, and in fact, I think it's why I got so many jobs with younger boys. The kids would often miss curfew because of this game - whoops. (Although, I think mom & dad would be happy to know that the kids (big & little) all had a good time. :P)

We're going to be doing a series of army man shots - so stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for what our photographic eyes capture. (And, yes waiting a couple weeks may be necessary, as most will be shot with film. Yea yeah!)

We got some new digs for crafting - if it would just stop being so nice outside maybe we'd be more enticed to do something new. It's come... we promise.

Photo Slide Magnets

The world is going digital and these photo slide magnets are a perfect keepsake magnet for all you film lovers out there.

Each magnet contains an original photograph (Photos mostly from medium format cameras -holga & seagull;and 35mm film cameras - Olympus OM1 & Argus c3). Magnet is made with a 2" x 2" glass slide and metal binder.

Photo slides aren't readily available any more, so when these magnets sell out - they sell out. Get yours before they're gone!

A Lazy Sunday

I have noticed a trend with Sundays. They always seem to be rainy, dreary or overcast (or all of the above.) It's a good excuse to take some time to relax and enjoy that one last day before the work week begins.

It couldn't have been more enjoyed today.

We have been crafting away like crazy for the last month (hence no posts :P) for our first craft show. While the show wasn't what we had planned, the positive is we're ready for the next and don't have to spend countless hours working on inventory. We'll have to see what shows are coming up. It was definitely nice to meet some fellow Michigan vendors and we're hoping our paths cross again soon.

We've been doing a lot of playing with patterns lately. The image above not only shows some of our patterned magnets, but also a delicious breakfast with some Spanish influence (mmm natillas!).

They are super easy to make and here's a good recipe. Enjoy!

4 eggs, separated
1/4 c. flour
1 qt. milk
3/4 c. sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
Nutmeg

Make a paste of egg yolks, flour and 1 cup of the milk. In a medium saucepan, add the sugar and salt to the remaining milk and scald at medium temperature. Add the egg yolk mixture to the scalded milk and continue to cook at medium temperature until it reaches the consistency of soft custard.

Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry and fold into the custard. Chill before serving. Spoon custard into individual dishes. Sprinkle each with nutmeg before serving. 6 to 8 servings.

(Note: Adding lemon rind while heating up the milk adds a nice flavour too!)

R.I.P. Jaws

Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
~Queen

Sadly, our feisty beta fish passed away today. How we can keep plants, including a bonsai alive, but not a very low maintenance fish still baffles us. We'll master it someday, I hope.

Growing up we almost always had some sort of "tank" pet - whether it was fish, chameleons or guinea pigs. They lived forever. In fact, I clearly remember one of the beta fish we had making multiple suicide attempts -- jumping out of the tank into scalding hot water, jumping out of the tank and into the dusty window sill and practically breaking its neck by attacking a mirror (or our fingers.) No such luck this time around with Jaws. *sigh

Anyway -- the event reminded me of a recent creation. I thought now would be an appropriate time to make the fish magnet public.

Moo Cards

Moo Cards, originally uploaded by Angela&Martin.

I don't know that anyone really likes "shameless self-promotion." It is, however, something you have to do sometimes to get the word about about yourself; and, by nature of the game - what you are selling. :P Our most recent business card order is all self-promotion without an ounce of shameless.

We just received our Moo Cards and couldn't be more happy. They are high quality, unique and really help artfully represent some of the photos we've taken that are up on our flickr site. I don't know if I'm going to want to hand them out!

The ordering process is really easy, and with these helpful coupons, you can actually get a pretty good deal. (Considering that they are not your average business card).

We'll see how well they go over soon.

A case of the Mondays...

Monday snuck up again; after all, it was a busy weekend. In fact, it was a very busy DIY (do-it-yourself; and yes, you already knew that!) weekend, as we successfully bottled two home brews: Chocolate Bock & Smashing Amber Ale.

We did the chocolate bock first, and without having done this one first our amber never would have even been named. It would have just been "amber ale." The bottling of the amber turned out to be glass shattering event.

We have a real system down with bottling. AM does the siphoning and pouring into bottles, and PM does the capping. (The capping takes more strength; the pouring more patience.) Two of the bottles must have had weak necks, otherwise the strength we gained from the chocolate bock was just too much for two said bottles. Lucky for us no one was injured. Unlucky, however, because we lost four bottles of the brew.

*s*

So hear I find myself on a Monday wondering what the next brew batch should be. Any suggestions? :)

Anyway, I have a case of the Mondays; and we have more than one case of home brews. Guess life could be worse. :)