An Immersive Journey

I recently completed a 3 month Web Development Immersive program (aka bootcamp) at General Assembly. It was a dizzying rollercoaster through acronyms and algorithms. I laughed, I cried, I was sleep deprived. There was so much information to absorb and a huge part of it all was learning how to learn, especially some of the more challenging concepts. I met some wonderful women along the way and it’s exciting to become a part of this network that is picking up steam and generally kicking ass creatively. Check out this video, where the ladies from my WDI class and I discuss our experience at General Assembly with the Women Who Code Austin meet up group.

The Immersive experience may be over, but the learning never stops and the journey is just beginning. Check out some of my web apps: Scarf, Quick Tac Toe, and Austin Ipsum. (Soon to come: Memorepo)

If you are interested in working with me on projects, please reach out to me.

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Wool Sculpture aka Needle Felting

Remember the cool texture and specific scent of Play-Doh?  *triggers smell-vision* I always loved 3D molding and making things like clay beads, sand-castles, and K’NEX structures. A few years ago, I fell in love with sculpture in a new way after seeing Kay Petal’s needle felting work: http://www.feltalive.com/

Needle felting is a technique that involves piercing tufts of raw wool hundreds of times using a very sharp needle with tiny barbs. The barbs catch the scales on the wool fibers, causing them to tangle and bind together.  Creating a 3D sculpture can take hours of work and literally thousands of pokes from start to finish. With such sharp objects involved, this is a craft that requires a great deal of attention.

Two years ago, I started an Etsy shop called Hello Lavender to showcase my needle felting creations. Eventually, that project fell to the wayside, but I never stopped collecting wool and supplies and ideas. In the last several months, I decided to put some of those ideas into action and make some wooly stuff! Like all hipsters lately, I’ve been really obsessed with succulents. And so, an wool succulent was born! I’m pleased to announce my sculptures will be featured in the new Amazon Handmade Marketplace! Stay tuned for a link to my storefront.

Check out some of my work:

Lumpy Space Princess from Adventure Time

Ricardio from Adventure Time http://adventuretime.wikia.com/wiki/Ricardio

tiny agave

tiny fruits

my favorite emoji

Audible Suggestions (& download a free book!)

Not That Kind Of Girl by Lena Dunham

Writing Down Your Soul by Janet Conner

Have a Nice Guilt Trip by Scottoline and Serritella

Poemcrazy by Susan Goldsmith

The Future of the Mind by Micho Kaku

Bossypants by Tina Fey

Girl Walks into a Bar by Rachel Dratch

Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman

The Bedwetter by Sarah Silverman

Bird by Bird by Ann Lamott

Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins

Undisputed Truth by Mike Tyson

Alphabetical by Michael Rosen

Quiet by Susan Cain

Spy the Lie by Philip Houston

If you’re a first time Audible user, you can download a free book here:

http://www.audible.com/t1/CREB?source_code=PBRGB90JRPD020614

What’s your favorite SNL sketch?

It’s been a few years since I had a real SNL lol moment. I tried watching skits from this year. Conclusion: meh. There’s a special place in my heart for Tina, Kristen, Amy, Maya, and Rachel. Come on with “The Nest!”   Until then, let us share ye olde SNL clips. (click the pictures to watch the videos)

Here are some of my favorites:

#1: Lynn Doot  and Jamilla Rose la Perkins.

Rock-a-Billy Lady Party and Cream

#2: Lonely Island in Flaggy Flag!

#3: a remix by “Robert Goulet” 

Oh Shit Kit

“What’s in your Bag?” is a popular hashtag for bloggers and instagrammers. It’s fun to see someone else’s junk organized neatly. Some of them are cool, but some of them I’m like, “I have a feeling you don’t always carry macaroons and a 1994 Game Boy in your purse.” Obviously, your lifestyle and destination will determine what’s in your bag. For me, it’s all about thinking ahead and avoiding easy mistakes/discomforts.  After tossing out gum wrappers and wadded-up receipts, it’s time to present my version of “What’s in your Bag?” : What’s in your Oh Shit Kit. This kit has been carefully curated to provide minimal stress in sticky situations and increase safety on the road. No fake stuff thrown in here to impress you.  Whether you’re on foot, in a bus, or riding on 2 wheels…having your own Oh Shit Kit will make life better, especially if you find yourself uttering those 2 ugly words.

Doesn’t this girl look like she could be checking her Twitter or picking at her gel nails?

A girl on a scooter, New York City, 1965 – photograph by Joel Meyerowitz

Here is what’s in my Oh Shit Kit; for a girl on a scooter.

#1 item: Your Brain =  this is important. don’t leave this at the bar or at home. be alert and prepared.

Are We Real?

A great documentary that tackles fundamental questions about math and the nature of reality. I will forever be haunted in the best way possible by the “game” Life, described within the first 10 minutes of the film by John H Conway.

Are your eyes in your ears?

Lately I’ve been listening. Who doesn’t love a good audio adventure? This is a true story. The first sound I hear every morning before dawn is this bird with the sweetest chirp-coo.  Birdie is there every single morning, chanting the same sweet mantra. The soft chatter and chirps are hardly enough to disturb even the most sensitive ears. It sounds like a super gentle sneaker-on-gym-floor-squeak Morse code.  A big part of me wants to see this bird up close, inspect the nest, see if there are other chickadees.  Like the muse Clio, Birdie is ever elusive, yet reveals its self in the oddest ways. I know the sound of this chirp by heart; it’s the sweetest, most mellifluous thing. But despite my search efforts, I’ve never actually seen Birdie. This bird just wants to be heard! So, I’m listening. I stopped shining a flashlight into the bushes and started to just enjoy the music.