Cya Tuesday!

Well we're moving and thus have no internets until Tuesday. They better have it up by Tuesday anyway...getting Telus to do things is a bit of a nightmare in my world...

Have a good long weekend everyone!

Some Stylin' Inspiration

Check out this awesome video of a guy doing art with white out. I'm not kidding about the awesome part. The page is french, just click the video.

Randomness

Erg I'm all twitchy and not sleeping properly due to the moving day after tomorrowness. Thus I doubt I can write a coherent post. Still, I feel the need to share the following:


Thanks to Barb who got me the Panda I now have aaall the Olympic cups. I will drink out of them all the time. Especially the yellow antelope one, as it is my favourite. Craig likes the green bird one of course. Tragically I missed the closing ceremonies as we were in Nelson for Gramma's birthday. All in all, a pretty good Olympics though I think. I'm behind on Project Runway because of it though, gotta catch up!


I usually get pretty cranky when I know what my presents will be, or when they're early (I reaaaally like surprises), but I make a major exception in this case. My parents got me a sewing machine of my very own! My mom says it's because she loves me and believes in my talent. I think it also has something to do with the fact that she wants her machine back so that she doesn't have to bring her mending over to visit me. My sewing machine is named Alice. Yes I put stickers on things like a 12 year old.


Already Alice and I are having good times hanging out as I finally finished my storage bags. All three but it's too late to take a picture that isn't one big flash. Not that the previous pics in the post have been exceptional. I am pretty happy with them although one is annoying me as the liner isn't quite aligned at bottom and thus it doesn't stand up as pretty. We'll see if it looks better filled or if it annoys me enough to take a seam ripper to it. I doubt it.

Also:

-I buy peaches tomorrow to can later this week.
-I sorted out and packed all my fabric this evening, it's delightfully organized.
-I drew two more bird toys today (a robin and a cardinal) and ordered test swatches from Spoonflower.
-I have 8 books coming from Amazon. And they are supposed to arrive Sat. We leave that morning. I think I won't see them for two weeks :( I should explain, they are shipped to the States as it's 15 min away and oh so much cheaper.
-I am sleepy. Maybe tonight I will sleep...that would be nice...

zzzzzzzzzzzzz

One last garden update...

I leave for Castlegar in three days and leave the gardeness behind...so sad. I will be back in a couple weeks to can diced tomatoes, pasta sauce and roasted tomatoes. At that point I'll also rip out the basil and freeze and dry what remains of it. Frozen herbs are the next best thing to fresh.



So with my mother this weekend I made 4 kinds of soup and canned them...I have about...30? jars of soup...40? Need to count later. Then yesterday I blanched and froze a big bag of diced yellow zucchini and a big bag of patty pan squash. I also made 4 packages of ratatouille and froze.



My freezer also contains much strawberries, raspberries and asparagus. Oh and cherries. And dried cherries. And I have three kinds of jam made.



I know that Barb thinks she wins Domestic Goddess of the Year because she produced a child and all, but I think I'm definitely in the running here.



I currently have 24 packages of pesto...I think I can make 30. If you all were wondering about my pestoness, here's what do (it's from Anne Lindsay's Lighthearted Cookbook). You could add pine nuts as is traditional but it cuts the fat down without and I don't miss them. Sometimes I toast them and toss them with the pasta though.



1)Pick as much basil as you can, measure how many cups you get of lightly packed leaves. One cup=One recipe. However if you do more at once it blends easier.

2)Blanch the basil by submerging it in boiling water then immediately removing it and running it under the tap. I use a colander. This step can be skipped but it makes the pesto a rich beautiful green.

3)In your blender add the basil, 2 cloves of garlic per cup of basil and some olive oil. 2 tbps per cup of basil. Ish.

4)Blend the crap out of it. For longer than I do because I had half a garlic clove floating around in my last batch. I mean, I could micro plane the garlic first. But I am too lazy.

5)Pour into small ziplocks. One recipe makes a decent 2 person meal. They say it's for 4 but I like my pasta pestoy. Squish the pesto around until the bag is as flat as possible, this way they stack nice in the freezer and thaw quickly.

6)Label ziplocks with the following: "PESTO - add 1/2 cup Parmesan and 1/2 cup pasta water" Because that's what you do when you want to eat it this winter. I don't like to freeze the cheese in because it goes all lumpy if you overheat it while thawing.

Pesto! Fun for everyone!

Want my Ratatouille recipe?



Oh oh, and my heritage corn is starting! We had the first of it last night for dinner. Mmmm Indian Blue Hookers Corn...



Well I must be off, I'm on a mission to find Organic peaches to can and jam!

March Kokeshi

Another Kokeshi girly, for March. Featuring the daffodil as that's March's b-day flower. Forgot to mention that October had a marigold.

You can buy a print in my shop

Blog Tour: Broken Angel by Sigmund Brouwer

Haven't done a blog tour book review for a while but the synopsis for Broken Angel by Sigmund Brouwer seemed interesting so I hopped on board.

What the book is about:
Broken Angel takes place in the not so distant future. A group of Christian fundamentalists have created a large colony in the Appalachians to seperate themselves from the evils (genetic modifications, abortion, etc...) of the world. And they're really seperated, no outside contact, impenetrable fences and all. Like many seemly good ideas taken too far Appalachia is not a fantastic place to live, literacy is outlawed for the protection of the citizens and Bar Elohim, the groups culty creepy leader can watch everything anyone does. Good times.

The story follows Caitlyn as she tries to escape Appalachia using the plan her father set in place for her before he was captured. She has to escape because the differences in her genetic makeup are becoming more pronounced as she gets older.

What I liked: This book has a cool premise and is a fun read. I found myself very interested in the world Sigmund Brouwer created and the characters were interesting. Also it was different from any other Christian fiction I've read and a fresh point of view is always good to see.

What I didn't like so much: I felt the book was too short, it barely touched on a lot of parts (like Bar Elohim...who's kind of a behind the scenes boogeyman who you keep expecting to...I dunno do something crazy) and in a way read more like a novella than a full novel to me.

I wish the book wasn't called Broken Angel. Come on people. It's kind of a spoiler to what would have been a really dramatic climax.

I still don't get completely why Caitlyn's dad took her to Appalachia in the first place. He knew she couldn't stay, so why bother? It wasn't explained as well as I would have liked.

All in all: A fun read. I would recommend it to people who like near future thrillerness, whether you're into Christian Literature or not.

Also, the cover design is pretty decent. Not terribly interesting, but well done.

October Kokeshi

I wanted to draw something quick and fun this evening, and I'm kind of obsessed with Kokeshi at the moment (big surprise I'm sure)...so here is the first in a series of 12...hopefully. Would make a cute calendar I think.



If you are a lover of October, you can buy a print in My Etsy Shop.

October is the best month ever. And I'm not at all biased as my birthday's in it.

I'm supposed to be posting a book review of Broken Angel by Sigmund Brouwer for the blog tour...tomorrow. If you are dying to hear about it today, check one of these guys out:
Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Mark Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Magma
Margaret
Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
John W. Otte
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika or Mir's Here
Sean Slagle
James Somers
Donna Swanson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Laura Williams

Logos for Amethyst

So my friend Amethyst is a wonderful photographer and she asked me to design her a logo to use for watermarking her work. This is what I came up with:



It's my favourite logo I've done so I'm pretty happy :)

Deco Books

So Domino Magazine has a new feature on their website. It's called Deco Books and the idea is that you collect all you favourite photos and inspirational pictures that you find online and compile an inspiration book (or a few books). You can also view other people's books although there aren't many yet as it's a new feature. The coolest thing is that you get this tiny little bookmark program where you can click on any photo you see while on your internet wanders and it adds the photo to your Deco Book, as well as a link to where you found it. This is ridiculously addictive. Anyway I've been playing with a nursery inspiration book for my yet to be conceived baby (erm, best if we don't tell Craig that I'm already planning the nursery, kay?) so check it out: Hanna's Nursery Inspirations. Let me know if you make a book! You know you want to! Especially if your name is Barb :P.

(edit: fixed the link)

Mountain View Stoneworks

New website finished! This is for my Aunt and her husband, he does stone engraving and she sells ice cream...comes together surprisingly well. I'm very happy with how this site turned out, probably because I'm obsessed with lime green at the moment...

View site [here]

Mermaids and Musicals

Went to see Momma Mia tonight with my aunt and my gramma. Good times. I have an undying love for ABBA. Don't tell. My all time favourite musical is still Bride and Predjudice however, it has three things working in it's favour 1)Pride and Predjudice 2)Bollywood 3)catchy tunes. I love it forever. How about you guys? Favourite musicals? Pretend like you like commenting, it's pretty fun.

Been working on finishing up projects as the summer is coming to an end, got a couple submissions finished and ready to go today, finished another little website.

It's been raining like mad. All this water makes me think of mermaids. Okay no it doesn't but I have some pretty mermaids to show you and I didn't know how to tie it in smoothly...

Dearest Prince by 0Effe0


Beautiful mermaid photomanips by Vorfas on flicker (click the link for the set)


More fabric love...the Mendocino line by Heather Ross.


Crabby Chat by Imaginism Studios

Easy Peasy

Free Poster Download over at Poppytalk



This just might be the yellow hit my new kitchen will need...

New Friends

Mei has two new friends! Meet Elliot and Annette.




Today while I was getting ready to go to town I got stung by one of the million wasps that seem to have invaded us these past couple weeks. Not a fun time as it hit me on the jaw. All seems to be well though. Mailed my last little owly off to it's new home.

I miss him.

I put a cute sticker on the back of the package and then the lady just smacked the label right over it. That'll learn me I guess.

will delete

Technorati Profile

My Stash, it grows!

So my mom and I went to Sandpoint and Coeur d'alene yesterday. We hit 5 fabric shops and I bought stuff in 4. I actually spent a lot less than I had feared as all the fabric was pretty much $9.99 a yard! Good times.


My main quest was to find 8 more fabrics to coordinate with the 4 Amy Butler fat quarters I picked up in May so that I could make a quilt style duvet cover. I was very excited to find quite that a couple of the stores carried Heather Bailey's newest line. I also got one print from her old line, a Joel Dewberry print and a couple no names in there. I'm very happy with the mix and Craig likes it too so all is well. Now I just need some time, this will be a fall project I hope.


I also picked up a half yard each of pretty pink Amy Butlerness as well as these two cute fat quarters. Don't know what they will be for yet.


It was a scorcher of a day but we had a lot of fun, also wandering around a farmers market, and a couple shops. Got two new books at Hastings (the newest Rachel Caine and a used copy of A Bride Most Begrudging) and a yummy matcha frappe at Borders.


Fun fun, and today is back to sewing, almost done my dolls! Photos tomorrow!

Exoticness

Check out these beautiful shots featuring the body painting work of ikie. I could just stare at them forever.




In other news I had a stressy day. I want to be in the Nelson winter artisan's market and I thought the application deadline was the end of the month. This morning I had a funny feeling so I checked and...yeah it's today. As in should be mailed to them before today. So I was pretty sad but I emailed them to see if they could make an exception and they emailed me back this evening saying that they do accept late entries, you just have to put down a bit more cash. So hooray! Big relief. I'll finish off my dolls and get the photos and application mailed of on Monday.

Tomorrow I'm heading to the states to go fabric shopping (yay!) to find some pretty prints to make a quilt style duvet cover. I hear rumours of Amy Butler and Heather Bailey...I'll be sure to share the prettiness when it is miiiine.

Summertime...

Is nearing it's end. And for once I'm actually sad. Not too sad though, I looooove fall. Anyway the garden is still going strong. We're eating squash and beans pretty regularly although the tomatoes are taking their time. I've made 14 batches of pesto so far with the basil and I should do some more today...


Yesterday I finished drawing Annette and printed her and Elliot out. Now they sit and await washing. George is keeping them company.



And today I'm getting back to painting my furniture. Fun times.

Oh and I made lamb kabobs, lemon rice, greek salad and tzatziki yesterday. Pretty stinking good if you ask me.

pretty pretty

So these dishes stack up pretty like a ming vase when not in use and are sooooo gorgeous inside. Tragically they are melamine. I still have a burning desire to own them.





by Ibride (via The Kitchn)

T-shirt for Jen

$15 at Threadless

Special News Bulletin

This just in, Hanna and Craig are no longer homeless. And there was much rejoicing throughout the laaand.

Yeah we spent the weekend looking for a place for the fall. It was not a pretty picture, the places were mostly taken or only wanted one person. One lady was quite firm about the one person part. QUITE firm. On Sunday we were only able to find two places available, both a bit out of town, which would have been hard as we only have (and only want) one vehicle. Then this morning we went to the college and got their list and got much of the same sad results as the previous day. Left some messages. Went to the park for a walk. And while walking a lady called back and we went right over to look (and then back to the park which is only three blocks away. This makes us happy, it's a great trail).

So it's a two bedroom basement suite, slightly closer to work than our last place and a nicer layout, cheaper and a much quieter neighbourhood. The only downside is that it doesn't get a lot of light (Jen, I'm joining team dungeon!). But he was in the process of repainting the whole place a nice pale blue (not baby blue, a nice blue) with white trim and had replaced some floors. So all is well, and my job is eagerly awaiting my return (lots of people leaving which is all the more hours for me) and Craig is registered and got a small scholarship for the fall semester.

Peace of mind is a nice thing.

Also, if you are bored, here's a fun site, it takes words from your blog and makes it into fairly customizable artyness. I kinda want this on my wall, it amuses me.

Wordle



haha, hacking and headache! Eep, the more I type them the more search engine hits I'll get!

Not Dead

Just busy,

Monday I drew this guy (the bird on his head is a wilson's warbler.


Tuesday I helped my aunt for the opening day of her shop, and got my moo stickers in the mail!


Wednesday I worked on three storage bag things (still working...that one's the closest to done but isn't yet)



Thursday I built 1 1/2 websites:

Also I read all of Breaking Dawn, I was gonna wait for the paperback but it was so cheap in hardcover and I just couldn't resist. If you're a fan of the series you'll be very happy with how she ended it, that was one crazy book. Crazy.

and today I started prototyping for Mei's friend Elliot. Apparently he's taller...


And later today? Olympics time!

Want a pretty blog layout?

Hanna is poor and is running low on books again. So here's the deal, if you'd like a new blog layout (either for blogger or wordpress) drop me a comment or email me (hannasandvig @ gmail.com...remove spaces). The charge is $50 in Amazon or Chapters online gift cards. That includes a simple layout and installation. A simple layout includes a banner which either a photo, a simple illustration or a design, the background and of course text colours. If you want something complicated, we can talk prices.

Here's a couple examples:

Is Bliss Like This?

The Lister Family

My Previous Layout 1

My Previous Layout 2

Reading Love

If you've been missing my Friday Fives, they've migrated to Divine Inspiration.

I just finished my best painting EVAH. And I can't share it for 3 more months. C'est tres tres tragique. In other tragic news I saved my new doll pattern over my old one. So while Elliot is coming along nicely I will have to redraw Mei.

Also, I still read tons, but the book reviews? I just read too much, it's hard to keep up. However, here's some books I've loved recently:

- Everything by Stephanie Meyer. I read The Host, which was excellent. It looks a bit odd, but is a great book. Also I just finished Eclipse and I want to cry whenever I think about it too long. I must read Breaking Dawn immediatly, expect that I don't buy hardcovers (thus me just finishing Eclipse...). Time to harass my local librarian :P

- Just finished Broken Angel which was fantastic, but I'll tell you more about it during the blog tour.

- Hrm, what else...Loving Meg Cabot for brainless fun. Queen of Babble might be my fav so far. Also Jennifer Crusie...Agnes and the Hitman written with Bob Mayer. Need some lightheartedness.

- Just started Hawkspar by Holly Lisle. I assume it will be good because I luuurve her.

- Erm, also have been rereading the Georgia Nicholson books. Can you tell?

What about you guys? Book suggestions?