100 Years Too Late

Last week Google did another "theme" day on their search engine. This time it was an amazing, interactive, nod to Jules Verne. If you didn't have a chance to see it, it looked like this:

I cannot boast to have spent my childhood tucked away in the library, reading Jules Verne novels. However, I have always been a huge fan of Disney's version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I loved the creepiness, the fantasy, and most of all... the aesthetic. My taste has always leaned toward the Victorian (if I'm being honest with myself though, I think I'm just a big fan of anything that is too ornate and/or French). Just look at these gorgeous book covers:

What makes the Jules Verne aesthetic truly unique is the introduction of technology. The meshing of the highly decorative and the technology of Victorians (sprockets, levers, etc.) create a look that is both lush and progressive. One of the issues I have with modern design (big square buildings that look like glass cubes, rooms without nooks... you see where I'm going) is that it seems to not have a artisan's touch anywhere. I want to look in a corner and see a charming detail or appreciate the texture of a drapery next to the texture of a plaster wall. I feel more comfortable with the idea of a learned person being surrounded by books and curios from around the world, instead of a computer and a smart-phone. *sigh*  I missed my time I guess. Of course, I could always get hip and just go full-blown Steampunk..

I do try to interject as much of this aesthetic into my home as possible. In the last few years (because of the new little people in my house) I haven't been able to devote as much time to refining my decor as I used to. But, that is going to change soon. It's time to get back at it. The vibe of my home is really important to me, and it has been neglected at the altar of practicality for way too long. My walls need artwork, corners need detailing, and antique fairs need attending.

So, I wait with bated breath for Spring to get here so I can open the windows and let the fresh air (and ideas) in! Hopefully I'll have some thoughts to share with you on this subject very soon.

–Cassandra

Fail.

Maybe I'm being too hard on myself with the title of today's blog. Or maybe I deserve your scorn. You be the judge!

About 10 days ago, I blogged about my trip to Atlanta and about finishing my dragon scarf for the weekend's festivities. I also might have threatened to send live blog posts from the convention.

Yeah.

Fail. And fail.

I did, technically, finish the scarf. I finished the knitting portion of the project during the last panel on the last day. I did not, however, add the felt eyes or the smoke/fire for his nose.

This is me in the registration line on Thursday - knitting away.



You might note that I'm still on the tail at this point.... Why I thought I'd have this done by Friday, I'll never know. I did work on it every day while I was there - while in line waiting to hear celebrities talk; at lunch; at night while watching tv. I was a knitting fool. And, interestingly, knitting in public really brings out the best in people. Everyone talked to me. Everyone wanted to see what I was working on. And everyone had a knitting story to tell - mostly about their wife/sister/mother/best friend who knits.

The not-quite finished project actually came out really well. The stitches are much more even than on the first one I made and, since I already knew the pattern, I was able to correct some pattern problems on the fly.

Here's where it is today - no eyes, no fire coming out of his nose. But he looks pretty good nonetheless, even unblocked on my crappy faux wood desk.



My other fail - not blogging from the convention - is one that I'm okay with. I tend to forget from year to year how completely intense the weekend is. Forty thousand people squeezed into four hotels with programming from 10 a.m. until midnight each day. Needless to say, I'm too old for most of it. I'm definitely too old for the all-night parties. Generally, my energy runs out after about 12 hours. But we do a lot while we're there and we do it at a breakneck pace.

Some highlights included seeing the stars of Heroes, True Blood, I Dream of Jeannie, and Eureka. All did Q&A panels about their shows and their other projects. Barbara Eden is still beautiful and tells great "old Hollywood" tales. Most of the celebrities I saw this year were humble and grateful and fun to listen to. Makes you want to be friends with them, instead of just a fan.

My one real regret was not getting to see Adam Savage speak. I've seen him before and he's an outstanding presenter. Unfortunately, the bulk of 40K people thought the same thing and I couldn't get in the room. I also wish I'd spent some time in the SteamPunk rooms learning more about that phenomenon. There's a very appealing aesthetic to the entire movement that makes me want to be a part of it. It's crafty and creative like we here at Ooo! Shiny!

In the great scheme of things, I suppose my fails are pretty minimal. And, really, if we learn anything at all from crafting, it's that fails are good. They teach us patience and perseverance and that nothing can't be overcome.

So, fail away my friends and celebrate not being perfect with me.

- Alex