Earthquake Anniversary and yet Another Place to Call Home
Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of the earthquake we experienced in Japan. It was strange for me since we were also out apartment hunting, checking out places on the 30th floor and higher, which normally wouldn’t be a problem for me. One thing that I realized is that I’ve become uneasy with very high floors from the quake, and though Toronto doesn’t get earthquakes like many other places in the world (perhaps the rare minute tremor from earthquakes in the US), I still remember the day I thought I was going to get lost in the rubble of my home in Tokyo.
Perhaps I’ll have to stick to lower floors or find a place that feels very structurally sound…..unlike my current place…. Brand new though far too many creaks and all glass balconies that seem to be held together by chewing gum 😛
Fiverr Has a lot of Talented Artists – Kelly
I was looking to replace my current “About Me” photo with something more artistic and professional looking, so I decided to check out the different gigs in Fiverr. I managed to find one with great reviews and sample work that really matches my style, so I decided to give them a try.
I only gave a couple of reference photos and information of things that I like (sakura of course) and this was the end result:
For those of you in need of a talented artist, please read on…
Kelly K.is an Ohio-based artist and illustrator who has worked on everything from caricatures to book covers. While predominantly specializing in digital art, she also works with more traditional media, including paint, marker, and graphite. When she isn’t working on commissions, Kelly can be found working on her website, adding artwork, animations, and minicomics.
To hire Kelly for a commission or to view samples of her work,
please visit:
Here is another sample of her work:
The Tokyo Fashion Guide – My Living Nightmare
I have been working on The Tokyo Fashion Guide for over a year now……it was never supposed to take this long and I’m almost sorry I ever decided to make this book. Friends and loved ones all agree that it’s probably cursed….and I’m inclined to agree with them, but I’m far too stubborn and have invested too much to just drop it. I will push on!
After losing two writers, two graphics artists and having to change the direction four times now, I’ve finally found something that will most definitely work -and I’m the only who I will have to depend on this time, so I’m very excited about it. Please stay tuned for sneak peaks!
Kirigami How-to #3 – Layered Kirigami Flowers for Greeting Cards
Here’s a great kirigami card that’s simple to make for those last-minute occasions. It’s also a great way for children to make fun cards for their friends.
I made this quick layered kirigami flower decoration on a plain card that I had leftover from previous projects. Naturally, you can take more time to make detailed polished flowers, but I sometimes like the more “handmade” look.
Start by choosing a complementary colour of paper (patterned paper works as well).
Fold the paper in half, making sure to have it no longer than the width of the card.
With the fold at the bottom, draw out a row of flowers, or if you prefer simple grass, a row of rabbits squirrels… but just make sure to include the fold in the kirigami patterns. I drew a row of tulips with marker to show you the lines, but try to use light pencil so it isn’t visible in the end.
Cut out the kirigami pattern that was chosen.
Open it up and fix any flaws that it may have -or leave it rough like I did.
Now, in order to create a fun layered look, you will have to make an accordion fold. *Make sure it’s uneven, with one fold being narrower than the other. This will ensure it lays out nicely on the card*
If you do make them even, they will sit one behind the other rather than one row higher than the other (perfectly showing both layers).
To change it, just make another fold approximately 1-2mm narrower than the original fold. It won’t show flaws and still give you the intended layered look.
Now place it on the card however you like and simply secure with some adhesive. You can either collage a message or write it with colourful marker/metallic pens etc…
Place it in an envelope and seal it off with this Kirigami Butterfly Pattern
