Spazhouse

Drawing of the Week: Going to meet the InLaws

2011-10-17T17:25:00.001-07:00

While watching Haven I liked the episode with the Deep One folk going into the water. I thought this would be a great drawing of family of deep ones going out to meet the InLaws

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Pince-nez

2011-10-04T06:11:00.001-07:00

From Wikipedia:

Pince-nez ( /ˈpænsneɪ/ or /ˈpɪnsneɪ/;[1] French pronunciation: [pɛ̃sˈne]) are a style of spectacles, popular in the 19th century, which are supported without earpieces, by pinching the bridge of the nose. The name comes from French pincer, to pinch, and nez, nose.

Although pince-nez were used in Europe in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, modern ones appeared in the 1840s and reached their peak popularity around 1880 to 1900. By the late 1930s, they were popular mostly with the elderly.

I bought a pair at a great price a number of days ago and I realized that the magnification power is close to what I am using for reading. I have taken to wearing them for short reading. Oddly enough I now notice the bows of regular glasses when I wear those.

I believe they look cool. In a Laurence Fishburne/Morpheus kind of cool.

- Posted using BlogPress from my awesome steampowered iTouch.

Drawing of the Week - October 3, 2011

2011-10-03T06:03:00.001-07:00

This is called Traffic Signs. The little alien is a grey/silence on vacation
I thought it be great as Dr Who ended it's season and that the Silence now have nothing to do.

Graphite, on classic crest cover stock. Size 2x3.5"

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Drawing of the Week - sept 26, 2011 - Water Works

2011-09-26T18:32:00.001-07:00

Trying to get my drawings back online with a Drawing of the week.

This week it is a drawing called: Water Works. My co-worker said, "it reminded him of a Star Trek Next Generation scene. The original size is 2x3.5" graphite.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

More Dragon Con ReCap

2011-09-10T18:47:00.001-07:00

I wish I could have posted more items earlier in the week. Unfortunately, a storm dumped a ton of rain on Binghamton, NY. my Mom's house had a full flooded cellar and 8 inches of water on the first floor. This type of flooding requires inspection for livability. This may take months.

Sorry this missive is a bit of a downer.

I am so thankful to run into old friends and make new ones before the skies opened up.

Here are some Hipstamatic images.

- Posted using BlogPress from my awesome steampowered iTouch.

Dragon Con 2011 ReCap

2011-09-07T08:08:00.001-07:00

Recap day 1 of Dragon Con
For those of us who trek to Nerdy Gras, AKA Dragon Con 2011 are now back in to our real lives again. Dragon Con celebrated its 25th year and it was just as great as all the previous years that I have attended. Each year is different as there are new interests and old favorites that make each year special. Yes, we go to see our favorite actors and artists. But as William Shatner said in his panel S&*T My Captain Says, Panel II "Most fans come to these conventions to see each other" Yes it is a gathering. Like the tailgaters at football games who can see each other every week for football season, we fans of geekdom make our pilgrimage to the largest fan convention (fan conventions are different from say the Comic Cons) once a year. And do we do it right. Starting on Thursday with pre-registration badge line. If you get there early you run into people you see from far away to hang out until the doors open. From the time the doors open we were done in a half an hour. But we did stand in line for an hour and a half.

Thursday day, a group of us will use the down time for a soak in the Marriott hot tub. Then it is off to the High Museum to take in a bit of culture. Dinner was at Havali with some Brit Track folk. Stopped off at the Hyatt to say hello to some Need Coffee folk and from guests of the convention. Security was nice enough to hold my bike at the concierge desk as it was causing a traffic jam with people taking photos of it. I had the bike locked so I was not too worried about it. Thanks Hyatt security!

Thursday night for the Need Coffee Dot Com, The Unique Geek, and some guys form a Site Called Fred venture over to Trader Vics for Big Mike's Show. It is also Fez night, and night of bonding with others who wear will wear crazy looking fez's to the more traditional red fez. I have a real Shriner's fez. The night had great drinks and good fun.

The great thing about Dragon Con is you don't have to always travel in a designated group as everyone has different tastes. Most of the time I reach a designation and find people I know there. well Thursday was great!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Banyan trees

2011-07-04T13:19:00.001-07:00

In the village, town, suburb of Miami the Coral Way has Bayan trees down the center of the road. At times it seems you are biking into a tunnel. A tunnel of living matter.

- Posted using BlogPress from my awesome steampowered iTouch.

My Contribution to Daily Paints Work Japan Challenge

2011-05-09T09:21:00.000-07:00

The great folks over at http://www.dailypaintworks.com are hosting a challenge for artist to submit work to be auctioned off for donations for Tsunami relief in Japan. My Pay Pal will go to the American Red Cross and filter to Japan.

It has been several weeks and already this disaster in on the back burner of most people's minds.

I have submitted my drawing The Courtyard.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Challenge/FC50B15D-5016-4E5E-87F2-87C3F79BA65B

My Etsy store and my current items for sale

2011-04-16T05:40:00.001-07:00

Yes I am back and thought I would make more of an effort to promote my art work.
These are the items I posted yesterday. Enjoy

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Hillbillies VS Aliens - A Day of Gaming

2010-06-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I attended the Jacksonville Garrison club's Rapier game convention.There were three days full of roleplaying, historic miniature, sci-fi miniature, board and card games. I spent Saturday playing, a miniature figurine version of Fairy Meat. The gang of three cannibalistic I received were to scale. This means that any item on the table was considered terrain.

Someone had left a Zombie game on the table so all the pieces from the game became cover for the fairies to hide from the other fairy gangs. The idea of this game is to eat your competitors. Each character has magic spells and a weapon. A fun game based on a deck of cards and your stats for each of your characters. Everyone went after their neighbor and at the mid point of our game session the Game Master placed a mountain of Scooby Snacks that the fairies would try to conquer. My two fairies managed to take the hill and keep it. When a fairy eats the candy it enhances the stats of the fairy so that she becomes pretty hard to kill. I lost two fairies but managed to keep the hill. Any attack to conquer the hill was dealt most severely.

My second game session was a good round of Arkham Horror. I brought my own game and had a good number of people to play. This is a cooperative game where investigators must battle monsters and cultists that have emerged from gates that open up throughout Arkham. As well as closing and sealing the gates before the slumbering Mythos god or monster awakens. There is a bit of a learning curve as there are many aspects to the game as well as rethinking what winning a game means. In this particular game everyone must work cooperatively. Giving money or clue tokens to other characters to defeat the horror that has come to Arkham.

The last game of the day was Hillbillies vs Aliens. This game was run by to great guys Rick Weaver and Dan Van Horn. The time the 1950s, the place somewhere in the back woods. The aliens have come to earth to retrieve methane gas, that the cows supply, propane, that the trailer has, and alcohol supplied by the still. The aliens must fight the cantankerous hillbillies who own the trailer, still and individually named cows. To add an another element there is the local constabulary to investigate the moonshine operation of the "family".

The game mechanics were based on 3 die 6. All figures had basic move and attack as well as fire arms. I played Mama, buxom Sister, and Granny with her purse loaded with cellophaned hard candy and a gun. My friend Mitch played the aliens. Curtis a friend of Rick and Dan's played the Law and Steve played Paul, Duke the dog and other hillbilly guy.

The start of the game saw Granny, Mamma and Sister driving off from the law who have come to investigate the still. The heap actually worked. The Aliens land at this point trying to capture the the cows. The Law had shot up the trailer without blowing up the propane. Mama nearly ran over Debra the cow (named after a character in one of her stories)

The aliens proved to be a bit incompetent by leaving the activities director named Noob the man the ship as the others went on a retrieval mission. Many of the aliens try to ride the cows while eventually using the antigravity ray. Things go well for the aliens as Paul and Duke are very formidable adversaries. Duke uses one alien as a rag doll. While Paul decides to carry off what is left of one of the aliens. Paul has figured out how to use the very small ray gun and will use it against the sheriff who just blew up his still.

Mama at this point is driving through the aliens and crashing through some bushes. Granny is thrown out of the back of the truck. She thinks she broke her hip. Bus she is feisty and manages to shoot at a few of the cow stealing aliens. She goes as far as trying to capture an alien by luring it with some hard candy.

Mama manages to keep the heap in control. Sister and Mama manage to shoot the space ship. They have thoughts on turning the space ship into their new trailer.

Noob all the while has managed to raise the ship then crash the ship for failing to control the ship. Mama and Sister believe they brought the ship down. Noob had issued a May Day alert and have brought the mother ship into play. Noob knows how ever this does not bode well for his career and successfully jumped ship to join the family.

The law gave chase to the rest of the aliens and have managed to keep most of the cows earth bound. The mother ship transports the survivors and takes off. The family have plans on the ship.

The great aspect of this game is that everyone had improvised a good deal of role playing. What could have been a basic game of attack and defend turned out to be riot, as everyone started to role play all of their characters they were in control of. Mitch for instance played the aliens with a great comic flare. I played the women with determination in wanting a better place to live. Like you see in the magazines. Curtis played is police force as if they walked out of Mayberry with the sheriff a former high school football hero who played for Oklamhoma. Steve made sure that Duke was blood thirsty. And Rick played some great cows.

I'll have Fries with That

2010-05-31T07:19:00.001-07:00

I have been sketching business card sized art for some time. these are smaller than Artist's trading cards as these fit in my wallet and iPod cases when I venture out. I have been placing them in Starbucks and other places that allow for community posting.

This time the card is titled I'll have Fries with That. This sketch reminds me now of the upcoming movie Human Centipede. I sketched this back in March.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Long Awaited Unveiling of my Steampunkesque iPad Cases

2010-05-29T05:53:00.001-07:00

While awaiting the arrival of the iPad. I set about working on some designs
before the debut of the magic machine. I knew that case designs would be sparse until manufacturers knew the product would take off. No Kate Spade or Vaja design yet. a deign that caught my eye was a case called Book Book. It was a computer case Book case. Very clever. It was about $80.00. I knew I could make one work on less money.

For months I carted around a pad of shrink wrapped paper that was the exact dimensions of an iPad. This help in formulating case designs. My first every day use case was created from a discarded book I found in my favorite Antique Mall Southern Crossing. It was a picture book of Swan Lake. It would fit my iPad perfectly with some modifications. I liked the fact it was dark blue and the lettering was in gold.

The modifications: I cut out all the pages of the book and reinforced the spine with heavy duty chipboard. The chip board is glued to the inside over with glue. The spine, front cover and back cover are reinforced with reliable duct tape. The silver matched well enough with the inside pages. One iPad designer on Etsy used a velcro system to attache the iPad to the book case. I did not want to go that route as once you remove the velcro in order to you your iPad with another case you would have to remove the sticky residue.

I fabricated a bracket out of basswood. Basswood is very easy and yet durable to work with. If you do not have a wood working shop this wood you can cut with a simple small hand saw found in hobby shops and Exacto knives. Once a case is made and stained, painted, and or polyurethaned the wood is durable for everyday wear and tear. The brackets were glued and stapled to the back inside of the book cover. I painted over the staples. Since this was for myself I could live with some imperfections. If you notice the iPad is not fully bracketed. This allows for easy access to rotate the case by propping the book cover up and bending the front to the back. Since it it is my case I know how to hold it. I removed the label art on the front and replaced with an image found on a Steampunk wallpaper site. I had laminated the image for better durability. The brackets were then painted gold to resemble gold edging on fine books. I am working on making a closure for it at the moment. All of these cases are always ongoing projects.
___________________

My second iPad case, would be a heavy duty travel case. I wanted something that would remind me of the old travel or lap desks that were important in the 17th, 18th and 19th century. Thomas Jefferson’s lap desk sold for $55000 some time ago. This project honed in on my Steampunk DIY nature. This was the longest project to complete. The problem was not assembling but acquiring the parts I needed. The wood was the hardest. As the iPad is an odd size, my use of basswood would not work as I could not get sheets wide enough. I had even tried getting hardwood veneers at a local wood working shop and they could not help. So I carted my dummy pad for sometime while looking for alternatives.

The alternative came in an old cedar cigar box at the same Antique shop I found the Swan Lake book. The width of the box was perfect the height I could alter. The tape hinges would have to be removed. These are items I could work with

Modifications: I spent some time removing the tape with a blade and Windex. When that was complete, the wood had to be dried, I used plenty of Windex and it soaked the wood, and flattened. This process took some time. Never rush wood drying, you may warp it. I disassembled the box. I made new brackets of basswood for the bottom of the case and the top. This is a process you do not rush as well. I glued and clamped each rail and set it aside for a number of hours. The wood glue is strong enough that I did not have to staple it. I might later one. The box was a bit long so I created an additional bracket to hold a stylist, a stand, made from one of the original brackets. The reason I stapled the brackets on the book cover is that the wood was being glued to paper covering the cover. I purchase my hinges and basswood form Joann’s Fabric. Strange they have the wood I like and Michaels’ does not. Go figure. I bought a few small plain boxes that have hinges and clasps. They work very well for this project.

The top of the case had to be carved to allow the iPad to nestle into the case without any added force. So I spent some time carving out angles in the wood. Since I do not have a wood working shop I am sure a mitre box would have made things easier. Using an Exacto knife cuts through the wood very well and made fairly easy work of this process. Once assembled I went about staining the box. Since the cigar box has tape there is some imperfections in the stain but I think it adds to its unique quality. Two coats of polyurethane to give it a shine.

To finish the project, the iPad needed to rest on something other than wood. One could sand to a fine surface but it would still scratch the back. Oddly enough the first item I found for this case was the fabric I used. My friend Maegan, a costume designer, who lives in Atlanta, allowed me to rummage through her collection of fabrics she had acquired over the years. I snagged this fine red silk that, would add any class to any steampunk project. The fabric was spray glued to the top and bottom. This case will be my travel case to add a bit of class and protection to my iPad, the Book of Eibon

Tagged: IPad, Steampunk, Thomas Jefferson
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Photo of the Day & A Minute for Yourself

2010-05-11T04:51:00.000-07:00

May is Mental Health awareness month. Today is take a minute for yourself. At 11 a.m. Look out the window or doodle a little drawing. Do not multitask during this time. Call someone to let them know you are thinking of them. Breathe and enjoy the day Zombies do.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

There be a Dragon in my neighborhood

2010-05-02T18:33:00.001-07:00

While out for my evening constitutional I came across the very curious flyer posted to a telephone pole near my Publix. I went home to get my camera and bike to photograph the poster and see if there are others like this one posted. The flyer was near a bus stop but was meant to be viewed from the sidewalk. No one had noticed it until I started to photograph it. A guy stopped to read and moved on without any comment. There were no other flyers near by even though there is a busy intersection barely a block from this telephone pole.

As you can see there is no phone number and a badly copied emblem of the Florida wildlife department. This makes me think we have a hoax on our hands. Though It would be cool to say, "There is a large dragon loose in Riverside, everybody stay calm".

The designer of the poster should have used some bold type. Catching someone's eye is the most important item in graphic design.

Tag: dragon, ducks, Riverside

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Hobo Camp photos for Weekend Justice

2010-03-12T04:00:00.000-08:00

This week's episode of Weekend Justice I talk about the on going adventures of Flat Stanley. Last Saturday we ran into some hobos who knew of Flat Stanley. Well above are two photos of the encounter. The second photo is the exact location of hobo camp

There is also an ealier post about Zombie Extermination Vehicle and Read an RPG book in public. Thanks for Visiting.

- Posted using BlogPress from my awesome steampowered iTouch.

Zombie Extermination Vehicle

2010-03-10T15:49:00.000-08:00

Convention season is about to start with the kick off of Orlando's Megacon. A long time friend of mine Don "Of the Dead" Meyers, owner of T-Shirt Bordello brought his Zombie Extermination Vehicle by Inky Fingers, the place of my employment, to show off this great ride.

Don tricked out this former television van, which will be used to transport his great shirts to a convention near you. One thing is missing is the ray gun that Don had ordered. If you plan on going to Orlando for this convention look for the guy with a chainsaw sticking out of him. Tell him, Rox sent you.

Read an RPG book in Public

2010-03-02T16:33:00.001-08:00

This week is read an RPG Book out in Public.

From February 28 until March 6th, please bring a RGA book with you while you visit a local
coffee shop, Monster Truck Rally or even the park. Some art Museums provide great areas for reading.

Please check out the escapist for further information.

http://www.theescapist.com/readrpgsinpublic

I am sure someone would ask you about the book you are reading.

Pictured is me and Flat Stanley reading our favorite GURPS Steampunk RPG book.

- Posted using BlogPress from my awesome steampowered iTouch.

Flat Stanley's Adventures With Leigh of Atlanta

2010-02-17T08:52:00.000-08:00

Flat Stanley has been enjoying a whirlwind adventures here on the East Coast of America.The first photo showing Stanley enjoying a lovely airplane ride. Was that seat paid for? Stanley has found some friends in Atlanta. In one activity he was thrust out into to bitter cold and dirty snow after frolicking in the snow he was awarded a cool alcoholic beverage. Stanley enjoyed the sweet taste of Maraschino Cherries. More adventures with Leigh later.

Flat Stanley Plays the Numbers

2010-02-14T13:44:00.001-08:00

To support the Florida School system Flat Stanley and I ventured out to try our luck on the Florida Lottery. The Florida Lottery was voted into Florida as a way to "suppliment" school funding. Now we need to keep playing so that Janie and Louis can have supplies as state, non lottery money has been cut.

"Play on"! Says Stanley

Sorry Stanley, Scratch-off tickets favor the house in odds of winning.

Postscript: we did not win but the kids of Florida will have funding.

- Posted using BlogPress from my awesome steampowered iTouch.

Flat Stanley Gets a Job

2010-02-13T14:38:00.000-08:00

Flat Stanley arrived the other day to Inky Fingers Printing where I am the resident Art Director. After cutting him out of his imprisonment I immediately put Flat Stanley to work. There is no state law that protects flat paper boys from working. Stanley learned to punch a time clock, then he was Herve's assistant on the two color press. He wanted to help Billy on the large press but Billy would have nothing to do with Stanley. Sorry Stanley. For some reason the large paper cutter gave Stanley such a terror.

Good Job Stanley!

Flat Stanley Project

2010-02-13T11:27:00.001-08:00

My niece, Princess Monkey Pie had sent me a small paper boy named Flat Stanley from Washington state. The idea is that I would take Flat Stanley on a whirl wind adventure in my neck of the woods, here in Florida. My idea is to allow my friends to have some time with Stanley as well. They will send images of Stanley having fun. I will post photos here of his progress and with the idea that I will make a travel book to mail back to Princess Monkey Pie.

This is Flat Stanley as depicted by Gianna Monkey Pie. Yes, those are claws. I thought he was a super model.

- Posted using BlogPress from my awesome steampowered iTouch.

Photo of the Day: Humans Stop Using Gas

2010-02-03T13:53:00.000-08:00

This sign was down the street from my work. I am guessing the owner of Cycle City made this.

Funny thing is he drives his Volvo to his bike shop.

Lost Dollhouse

2010-01-27T15:09:00.001-08:00

This image is from my
Incoherent rambling about Dollhouse. Needcoffee's Weekend Justice wants the rambling to go viral. Here is my take.

- Posted using BlogPress from my awesome steampowered iTouch. Can't wait for the iPad

Art that I have posted on to My Etsy Store

2010-01-24T13:20:00.000-08:00

Steampunk President Lincoln

Angry Candy Corn
Slumbering Cthulhu

Zombiecicle

Since it is the first month of a new year, I am making the effort to get my work onto my Etsy store. I am also posting new items that I have created. I am going back to doing miniature drawings that I learned to love to do while in college. My etching professor did not think I was working, as I did not seem to be bringing anything into class. Most of of my work ranged from 5" to 1" x 2". I have enjoyed working
on such scale, as it it easy to work almost anywhere. Despite their size, some miniature paintings drawings and etchings can take time to develop into a finished piece. In etching class I remember spending as much time on a small item that most classmates would spend on much larger pieces.

Here are a few items. Most of the items range from 2" x 3.5 to 2.75" x 4.25"

Photo of the Day: Have a Sandwich Mr. Cthulhu

2010-01-14T13:07:00.001-08:00

Malpertius of the Twitterverse and her site Far from the Maddening Crowd http://malpertuis.soup.io/ sent me a great care package of
wonderful things found at the HP Lovecraft Filmfestival in October of last year. http://www.hplfilmfestival.com/ I received
two of their posters, one with the art of Mike Mignola and the current tentacle 2009 poster. I also have a shirt form the fest and some
ultra cool HPL buttons and some books. One with the works of Alergernon Blackwood.

Then there was the cool toys in a jar. I love little toys and this jar was such a surprise. I like to photograph small toys
in situations that could convey some emotion. So now I have a new project. I will see about photographing
the toys I have received.

The first one I am calling "Have a Sandwich Mr. Cthulhu. I bought a bag of Cthulhu's some time ago and thought
the juxtaposition of the bunny and the little Cthulhu would be a playful composition.

Tag; toys, Lovecraft, Cthulhu

- Posted using BlogPress from my awesome steampowered iTouch.

Photo of the Day: Devil Duck vs Hellboy

2010-01-12T13:24:00.001-08:00

This is from my desk at work. I just bought the little Devil Duck. And that is a little Hellboy. I have to have micro toys that don't take up much space.

- Posted using BlogPress from my awesome steampowered iTouch.

Photos of the Day: it's Cold out There

2010-01-11T05:55:00.001-08:00

I know that most of the country will not give those of us who live in Florida much sympathy during this arctic cold weather. I have still been wandering the landscape in my shorts and sweaters and gloves. Tourist in St. Augustine braved the cold by bundling up to ride in the open air tourist buses. One brave soul was waving and smiling like he was on a Mardi Gras float. I myself was people watching in the warmth of the Sana Monica hotel.

I have also a photo of a church's frozen fountain I shot yesterday. Burrr. Just give us a month and we should be Quasi warm again and the envy if the colder climates.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Photo of the Day: Grow Mushrooms in your Cellar

2010-01-07T13:43:00.001-08:00

On my ride to work one day I spied a curious pallet box for mushrooms in someone's trash. This box reminded me of Ray Bradbury's story about boys growing strange mail order mushrooms in their cellars.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Photo of the Day - Stealing

2010-01-02T14:40:00.001-08:00

Over the summer My sister and I took my mom to Boston for her to visit her old haunts. One trip was to the Isabelle Garner Museum. No photography was allowed. But I went ahead and used my nintendo DSi gaming system to acquire a few images. Most places will allow photography without a flash. The DSi has no flash plus it is a very lo re camera. Isabelle from her grave can haunt me if she can find me.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Happy New Year Wish -photo of the Day

2009-12-31T12:50:00.001-08:00

So the end of 2009 is at hand. I spent the day arranging my my art lab for a New Year of Art experimentation. I am still looking for my own personal style. Maybe when I am 80. But right now I enjoy tinkering with graphics, drawing, and working on new Steampunk ideas. Hopefully with a more organized space (I forget which was more devious and clean space or messy) I will get even more projects completed. this is not a resolution as I do not believe im them.

The photo below I took while on holiday (the 4th of July) in Boston. That is the statue of Benefactor John Harvard. The shiney part of his shoe is from years of Freshmen who rub the toe for either good luck or a wish.

My New Year's magic is to grant anyone a mediocre wish retailing $1.00 plus your local tax when you rub the shoe in the picture. Happy New Year to all.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Photo of the Day - Lone Grapefruit

2009-12-30T06:23:00.000-08:00

I saw this grapefruit tree on my way to work. It reminded me of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. This is Florida and there are citrus trees about and this tree seems like it will thrive, unlike the Charlie Brown Tree which will be thrown out on New Years Day. Happy New Year to you all.

Look Ma, no computer

2009-12-29T17:37:00.000-08:00

I downloaded an iTouch app, which is short for application, that allows for updating one's blog without the use of your computer or laptop. The app is called Blogpress.

The price is $2.99 and I am just testing this post to see if this works out. Sometimes I would like to be able to update without sitting in front of a screen to perhaps just jot a small note.

This might allow me to post more items to my small space of the Internet.

One can save a draft before you upload your post. You can add photos from you iTouch/iPhone photo library such as the one below.

I hate to say that dropping in a photo seems a bit easier than Blogspot's program.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Photos of my Steampunk Influenced Living Room

2009-12-19T19:26:00.000-08:00

This is a bit out of order but here are the images of my Steampunk influenced living room.

My Steampunk Influenced rooms

2009-12-19T17:58:00.001-08:00

Some backgroundhistory of Spazhouse. It is a turn of the century, 1901 -1911, 1300 square foot converted carriage house. The building housed what may be called a mother-in-law apartment above the area that housed the carriage or later on the horseless carriage. Spazhouse is thought to belong to a very large Mansion on the corner two houses away. the owner and I have found a walkway that would seem to have connected to both our properties at one time. Eventually a house was built in front of Spazhouse, then a fire destroyed the house. There is an expansive front yard from Spazhouse to the sidewalk.

The living quarters are upstairs the ceilings are at an airy nine feet, complete with picture hanging molding. Special hooks latch on the the molding and pictures are hung by wires. It saved walls from nail holes. The floors in the living quarters, that is what I call the upstairs of my house, have a real nice quality of heart pine on the floors which was one of my first projects as well eight years ago.

There is a living room, bedroom, bathroom and small kitchen (images of the kitchen can be seen from my

project last year of stripping the floors of many layers of

linoleum). My tastes run in the eclectic. I love to mix and match items.

I have a replica Venus deMilo garden sculpture that I added a denture maquette for the head. When I first bought my home I under took a big task of plastering the bathroom, living room and expansive hallway that leads to the down stairs. I had left the bedroom unfinished. I lived with the awful spiky popcorn texture my former land lady used throughout the house. A

major dust collector.

Finally I decided to embark on finishin

g the bed room. For plastering I use the simple drywall mud in the green container. It is far cheaper than the Venetian plastering kits you get at home improvement centers. I use a trowel to plaster the mud on to the walls. For a finished look I plaster the walls a second time after the mud is dry.

The first photo shows very plain walls. The paints I have chosen are from the Valspar National Historic Preservation colors. I planned on using a Russian or Scandinavian blue for my bedroom which gets plenty of light. I also choose a satin finish so the rooms would reflect light in the evening. The color combination is a metallic silver for the ceiling and while highlights. I used more silver components in the bedroom on the theory that aluminum wasvery expensive during the Victorian period. The Ikea picture hanging system lends itself nicely to an industrial look. The headboard was a salvaged coal burning fireplace mantle from the house across the street from Spazhouse. In fact most of the furniture in Spazhouse was acquired from Antique stores or even found objects that people wanted to get rid of. The crate book cases in the living room is a good example. The Historical Preservation office decided to get rid of plenty of antique peach crates. I snagged at least six.

I did use some brass and gold highlights from some aspects of the room which ties it nicely together, such as the toy

wall. White shelves with brass/gold hardware.

The living groom I decided on a richer color that was reminiscent of a drawing room. I found Montpelier Olive was a great color for a room that gets a muted amount of sun from the Camphor tree outside the window. I will eventually pain the ceiling a metallic gold color to compliment the bedroom's silver ceiling. Even though there is not a lot of steampunk style hardware I have been influenced by the use of juxtaposing elements to create room of curiosities. The tv stand was painted a brass color to go well with the olive walls. Same with the small book

stand near the window. I stained the toy rails a cherry

mahogany color for a richer look. I did leave one wall not

painted. I wanted as much reflective light as possible. I had made aluminum tiles from printing plates form the print

shop I work for. This gives off reflective light in what could have been a too dark

of a room if I had painted all the walls olive. And yes, I am really not into window treatments. the house sits so far back from the street I don't see the need.

My eyes

2009-11-14T12:03:00.000-08:00

Last week I decided to get my eyes checked. Instead of getting my eyes dilated I went for the relatively new eye scanner. Dilation is such an annoyance as you lose your sight for the better part of the day. I was biking that day and that was not an option as I live in Florida and the sun is harsh. The exam was fine enough. Doctor gave a prescription for transitions, meaning bifocals even though I can read well up close, focusing is slowing. I opted to get single vision and take the glasses off.

The doctor had images of my eye exam and made him email them to me. These are images from the inside of my eyes. The light is the opening to the eye. They are very healthy eyes, reported by my doctor. How cool is science.

More Weekend Justice House - Welcome Doc, Hope you survive the Experience!

2009-08-28T20:00:00.001-07:00

I know you folks have been wanting to see more of the Weekend Justice House, well here it is. We may have lost Scott C, wandering the vastness of Kim's Sim World but Kim has snagged some choice images.

Kim has invited Sim Doc Ezra and his own bar to be part of the crazy Weekend Justice House.

Pict. 1. Sim Widge welcomes Sim Doc.

Pict. 2. Doc and his bar.

Pict. 3. No flip flops on my feet.

Pict. 4. Why the Groucho Marx glasses and mustache, Sim Scott?

Pict. 5. I would need shoes to if I were in your situation, Sim Scott.

Pict. 6. Everyone needs sleep, even Sim Scott.

The Weekend Justice House

2009-08-08T18:22:00.000-07:00

As we have been chatting about the Weekend Justice House for sometime now on the Weekend Justice podcast, Kim has finally relented ( I have been pestering her since she mentioned she played the Sims) and passed on some screen shots. I am sharing them with you dear reader.

Pict. 1. I must say Widge looks like Widge.

Pict. 2. Ken Plume does not look happy at his Cheese computer. I know I would not be happy if I had that computer. It would melt here in Florida.

Pict. 3. Am I thinking of a quick get away from the police? Or as Kim had said I am contemplating a career in law enforcement? I had nothing to do with ScottC disappearance. I swear.

Pict. 4. A nice shot of Kim and Tuffly enjoying a quiet moment amidst the chaos that is Weekend Justice House. And that is Kim's new hairstyle.

Okay, the tits are not bad. They are about a 30-32B.

A New Weekend Justice Podcast is up - Hey Nice Shoes

2009-07-24T04:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday to you all. A new Weekend Justice is online for your listening enjoyment. Spoilers for Torchwood. A new Sponsor, Osceola's Zeppelin Emporium, musings on comics, Harry Potter and more. Recommendations from me is Heroes of Lesser Earth.

Enjoy.

I Own A Zeppelin!

2009-07-22T13:42:00.000-07:00

My good friend Rick send this latest image of me with my zeppelin the Osceola.

One more Image from Rick W

2009-07-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

I call this the Sign of Three

Photo by Rick W. enhanced by Rick W.

Alli (left) Rick, Director of the Karpeles Manuscript Museum (middle), Rox of Spazhouse (right)

Games, Steampunk and Comics. Not in that order.

2009-07-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

Top Photo Tintype I photo by Rox of Spazhouse, altered by Rick: Rick (left) and Katherine (right)

Second Photo Tin Type II Photo by Rick, enhanced by Rick: Rox of Spazhouse (left) Lizzie (right)

Third Photo: The Areomancer Photo by Rick: enhanced by Rick: Rox of Spazhouse

Fourth Photo: Borneo Backstab: photo by Rox of Spazhouse, enhanced by Rick: Lizzie

Hello All. I am back sorry about the inconsistencies, but then if you want you can follow me on Twitter, roxofspazhous.

Over the weekend I attended Jacksonville, FL Ancient City Con held at the Hyatt. During the two day convention there were plenty of games to play and people to see. I was there to support, Needcoffee.com, my friend Kevin Pettway's comic Heroes of Lesser Earth and the Cowford Steampunk Society. The convention had about 400 attendees for its third year. Hopefully there will be a fourth. My friend Kevin sold many of his currently 3 volume set of HOLE. I chatted with people about NeedCoffee and I helped out at the Steampunk booth that supported both the Jacksonville, Cowford Steampunk Society and St. Augustine's Ancient City Steampunks. Thanks to Dale and everyone for coming up our way.

Later in the evning on Saturday night Cowford sponsored a Steampunk Ball at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum. The museum was a really great venue for all of us steampunks to revel. We had entertainment from a tribal dance group and a punk group. Can't have steampunk without the punk. Everyone enjoyed themselves immensely and thank you to everyone who showed up. we have made new friends and met up with old friends. It was a great weekend.

In this post I am posting tin type photos that my friend Rick had taken of us at the Karpeles Museum. enjoy. More Steampunk photos to come.

The Latest Weekend Justice & More

2009-07-10T04:34:00.000-07:00

A very tired Roxanne has made it on to this week's Need Coffee's Weekend Justice. Please give a listen as we are also trying to make Needcoffee a 100% reader supported site. Please help us out in this venture and become a member.

A New Insane Weekend Justice

2009-06-26T04:37:00.000-07:00

It is alternate Friday and that means a New Weekend Justice is waiting for you. Just Click on the Words and that will take you to the wonderful site of Needcoffee.

Happy Birthday Spazhouse

2009-06-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of Summer and it was June 21st. of 2001 that I signed the papers to make Spazhouse mine. People have asked me over the years why the name Spazhouse. Well a few reasons actually. First the type of house I have. It is a converted carriage house that has two stories and is about 1200 square feet. At one point the first floor was open and stored a horse and buggy or just the buggy and the horse was housed elsewhere. The slab flooring which is cool in the summer and freezing in the winter slopes slightly to allow for easy cleanup. The lower floor has long been walled in with two front doors. The owners thought the lower lever would make an excellent office.

The upstairs living quarters were perhaps a maid's quarters or mother-in-law rooms. There are two large rooms living room and bedroom with bath and kitchen. The kitchen I believe was added on later as the material in the kitchen seems to be more of a back porch than an original kitchen. The ceilings upstairs are an impressive nine foot and the kitchen is about eight feet. Hence my theory that the kitchen was a back porch.

So, I have have living quarters upstairs with all the amenities, stairs that run to the lower level and a long hallway to the master front door. I had installed French doors to the lower lever with help from my boss who likes to work on houses. We had to break through three sets of walls and have Home Depot make a custom door jamb. The lower level has my art lab, small library, laundry and catch all room. I kind of think of the long single room that the second door or I like to call the servant's entrance door leads to the bike garage and laundry.

There is a half bath that had been a problem area for the Landlord's in the past. One might call it the mouthway to Hell. or as my neighbor called it before the major clean up the Resident Evil Bathroom. I have disconnected all plumbing in that room until I see about re-plumbing the house. The Village idiot plumber my landlady employed had actually used cat litter in the toilet bowl. No one knows why he did this, all I know is that there are plenty of capped areas in my leadout to the sewers that cause me problems with clogs. The roots get into these caps that he made with bits of concrete. He could not be bothered with replacing the section. This allowed him repeat business. When it was found out how bad he was people dropped him like a hot potato.

The age of the house is in question as there are several dates on different documents. One date lists 1901 and in the Riverside Avondale Preservation notations it is 1911. I would prefer it was the earlier date to at least 1910 (The year King Edward past away) This would make my house of the Edwardian period. This is an actual time period I enjoy for Steampunk wear.

The name Spazhouse comes from the shortened version of the word spastic. The house was and is to some extent disjointed and uncoordinated in the flow of how a normal house works. The Riverside Avondale Preservation Association has listed my house as untraditional. This means that I can make adjustments to my home that do not have to adhere to the strict historical guidelines. Hence the bright red with blue and yellow trim color of the house.

In reading in many of the 18th and 19th century literature I have noticed that manors and homes have their own names. Toad Hall for one, Brandybuck Hall from "Lord of the Rings" Falling Water of Frank Lloyd Wright, Jane Austin's books are full with homes that have names. So with those thoughts I had come up with the name Spazhouse.

The other cool thing about Spazhouse is that is cannot be seen from a satellite.

A New Weekend Justice is up

2009-06-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.needcoffee.com/2009/06/12/what-would-quincy-do/

Tune in to the What would Quincy Do? Episode.

Brown Chicken, Brown Cow.

Full Contact Croquet & Bocce

2009-05-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day playing croquet on the lawn of the Karpeles Manuscript Museum with the Cowford Steampunk Society. A genteel time was had by all.

Thanks to all the folks of the Cowford Steampunk Society who helped make a very nice picnic happen.

It was a warm day, not as hot as last weekend, so I opted to wear tennis white and a straw top hat.

Sometimes Things get weird When you Game

2009-04-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

I belong to a very nice role playing gaming group. That is, we all know most of each other's idiosyncrasies and they don't bother each other that much. I am the type of gamer that likes to think outside the box or just make strange leaps of the imagination. Last night was no exception. Our group was asked to find the sister of a young woman. She claimed that her husband beats her. The group ventures over to said house to gain access to the sister. I came up with the weird idea of getting a milliner to make sort of an Elephant Man bag hat for the sister. I started this bad sketch and Lena had helped with some of the details.

Needless to say the sister was not there so the quest continues, but we do have this great fashion sketch.

Caffeine Appreciation Month

2009-04-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

March was Caffeine appreciation month and we were as by my Friends at NeedCoffee to submit out best caffeinated love images. My Sister known as Scum and her family has really jumped to the task at hand. The image of many Star Wars figures praying to a Need Coffee Mug was exceptional. Funny without talking to her my own image was that of a Minnie Mouse mug guarded by some Dungeons and Dragons Figures. This way to the photos. Enjoy.

Caffeine Appreciation Day/Month - Whatever

2009-03-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

Widgett Walls at Need Coffee pointed out that it is the time for Caffeine Appreciation Month. I was playing D&D last night so I thought coffee and D&D. What a great combo. For last year's coffee gallery I had my niece pose with the great metal Scorpion at the Spazhouse estate.

This year I thought of a Minnie Mouse mug and some D&D Figurines.

I have a review of Starbucks New Instant Coffee

2009-03-22T17:43:00.001-07:00

I spent Saturday testing and trying out Starbucks: Via Instant brew coffee. It is not a bad product as you can read over at www.needcoffee.com

A new Weekend Justice is online The show Went on without me

2009-03-20T04:25:00.000-07:00

And I am okay with that. A new Weekend Justice is online for downloading. Was was not available for recording as my friends and I were engaged in combat with some Ochre Jelly. (from Dungeons and Dragons campaign).

Happy weekend to you.

Popovers, Photos and Fund Raising

2009-03-15T15:12:00.000-07:00

I love Yorkshire pudding and in the New York Times Sunday Magazine there is a great article about a 1966 recipe for Popovers, the cousin to Yorkshire pudding. Enjoy.

I have some new photos for spring time.

Congratulations to my friends Ken Plume of www.quickstopentertainment.com and Widgett Walls of www.needcoffee.com for raising money for UK's Red Nose Day. This is UK's Comic Relief. Remember that here? Sure you do. A long time ago. Anyway, Ken and Widge or variation of broadcasted online with a full chat room for 24 hours. I was able to online chat with my sister who lives on the west coast. Even though I listened in at the beginning I did not view the full over night activities. I conked out at 1:30 and came back at 5:45 for the extended Pee break song. Widge had fallen to adrenaline and caffeine. I did send a message about the importance to pacing.

Very special thanks to John Hodman who helped with the final stretch. They raised over 5,000 in US funds. Not bad for a small undertaking.

New Weekend Justice - Pudding For Everyone

2009-03-07T08:24:00.000-08:00

The actual title is The Pudding that came to Spazhouse.

So much building I need to do. A Thunderdome is a must for the front yard.

Spring is Here, add some Zombies

2009-02-22T14:16:00.000-08:00

I took my camera around the neighborhood to get a few shots of the azalias in bloom for work. But I always make sure I take a toy or too with me. Since needcoffee wrote up about the new trend in Jane Austin and Zombies I thought I would get a few shots of some Zombies and flowers. This one is a nice shot. Zombie Granny with Ice Cream.

Photo Tuesday

2009-02-17T09:40:00.000-08:00

So here is the latest image for your enjoyment. The azalia's are coming into bloom and Valentine's day had just passed.

Two New Weekend Justices

2009-02-07T06:22:00.000-08:00

Okay folks who ever you may be. There are two current Weekend Justices for your listening pleasure.

The January episode has special guest Teri Garr.

And February 6th is insanely funny.

Enjoy

Something from the Draw Down

2009-01-30T13:50:00.000-08:00

This is a cute litte drawing from the Draw Drown form MOCA Jacksonville.

So Let's Try this Again - Picture of the Week

2009-01-30T05:26:00.000-08:00

It has been some sometime and now I will get back in the swing of working on projects. So I am continuing my Toy Series as I had received some new items over the Holiday.

This one is called Coffee Break

Sunday Paper Reading

2008-12-21T12:10:00.000-08:00

Sunday is a good reading day as there is hardly anything on tv. Went out earlier to one of the closing Circuit Cities. Found 2.00 ink for my printer. The normal price is about twenty. Found a square Nano case for a gift also two dollars.

No bulk Exacto blades at Michaels. The tempature before going to lunch eighty degrees, afterwards sixty-five all in the span of thirty minutes.

Luminaria is tonight. We celebrate the season with paper bag lanterns. Very festive. I plan on doing a look back in 2008 podcast as there will be people out tonight. I have an open house to venture to as well.

Rox of Spazhouse vs Black Friday

2008-12-19T13:22:00.000-08:00

http://www.needcoffee.com/2008/12/18/rox-black-friday/

Many thanks to Widget Walls for his wonderful sound editing for this report. Thanks to Silent Burt, my sister who drove us to this crazy insanity that is known as Black Friday.

The Problem with Blogger

2008-11-23T15:31:00.000-08:00

Blogger was not uploading any of the photos yesterday. And it seems that they are not loading today.

The Spazhouse Research Library

2008-11-22T10:49:00.000-08:00

So I am nearing completion to the Spazhouse Research Library. It it may be nothing like Jay Walker's library, which is amazing and I have thought using his library as a goal. http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/16-10/ff_walker?currentPage=all

I may not have Sputnick, but I have some neat items in my library to be proud of. I continued a Steampunk influence for the Art Lab and Library.

I utilized a font from the HP Lovecraft Society for the Ex Libris stencil on the floors. It is called Roman Black.

Here are some various views of the Library. The metal sheeting on the walls is to cover the T1-11 paneling that the former owners put up. I hated the idea of ripping down the paneling because it is such a pain. I tried painting it, that worked for a bit and I stumbled on the idea to hang old offset aluminum printing plates. This reflects a lot of light were the light source is very minimal. The book cases I collected from various antique shops. For years I used the old stand by, milk crates, but they never achieve the look of a library, just someone who needs to flee with their stuff in the middle of the night.

More to come Blogger seems a bit sluggish

Cold Today

2008-11-19T17:52:00.000-08:00

Just to let you know that it is indeed a cold day.

That is all.

A Book review on Fuel for the Boiler a Steampunk Cookbook

2008-11-15T20:07:00.000-08:00

I have a book review on a very clever Steampunk Cookbook called the Fuel for the Boiler by Elizabeth Stockton.

http://www.needcoffee.com/2008/11/15/steampunk-cookbook-fuel-boiler-review/#more-8543

New Weekend Justice Pod cast & And a short visit on The Unique Geek

2008-11-14T04:53:00.000-08:00

Yours truly is on these podcasts for the week. If you scour in their archives I was also on the extended lengthy pre Halloween Pod cast.

I am also touting The Unique Geek Pod cast. I show up briefly due to a lull in combat in our Thursday D&D game.

http://www.needcoffee.com/

http://www.theuniquegeek.com/

A Pumpkin's last journey

2008-11-12T08:09:00.000-08:00

So Halloween is over. I saw this very distinguished pumpkin waiting transportation to take him on his last journey. Thanksgiving seems to be a side note when you see the mega-holiday of Christmas looming over our heads.

My Secret Lair

2008-10-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

On the Unique Geek Forum site: http://groups.google.com/group/theuniquegeek. There is a post about villain lairs. Well your truly has one as well. It is my house of Spaz, or Spazhouse. In the listing of lairs there is one section that is missing should be called hiding in plain site. My house is hidden from the prying eyes of the Google satellite. From the street it looks like an ordinary small house. But my house has two camphor trees and a sweetgum standing sentry.

Troll Dolls and Bicycles

2008-10-11T19:08:00.000-07:00

My Sister gave me this 10 inch troll woman from Norway. They bring good luck to the owner. I have had her for a good number of years. I like the fact that Norwegians believe in trolls. They know you can't see them but that does not mean they do not exists.

We had a cool bike event this evening. Not quite critical mass but fun any way. There were also some neat bike movies for the event.

Checkout the www.needcoffee.com The latest Weekend Justice has me on it. Check it out.

Little Hot

2008-10-07T17:48:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post a toy picture a day since I received a great 18 inch Hellboy Figure. I have had great luck using toys as subject matter

Since I was food shopping I thought I would take toy and camera with me. I shot a few images. I like this one the best.

More Steampunk influenced Kitchen images

2008-10-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

As I have said I am happy with the way the floors came out. The paint job on the some of the appliances are nice as well. There was some over spray left on some walls. I could not find masking tape at the time.

Well here are some photos I took this morning as the light hit the kitchen nicely.

Steampunk Inspired kitchen

2008-10-04T17:55:00.000-07:00

So after days of ripping up linoleum and tar. I sanded. Since my kitchen is small I did not see the need to rent a sander. I own a belt sander and it woks well. As I have said earlier, I never remove anything while I am working. So wood dust went everywhere. I vacced and sanded in turns. I started with an 40 grit, to remove left over tar and paint. There was paint as well as linoleum. Then I went to an 80 then 120.

When it came to coating the floors I like Minwax Polycrylic waterbased poly. Clean up is a snap and you can apply a new coat in a number of hours. So I used a plan of coating the floor at night and then sand an re-apply the next evening.

There was some water damage, so there is some color change in the floor as well as some of the planks have some gouging near the sink. I think this adds character since now I am thinking to create a Steampunk inspired kitchen. Not necessarily gear and such but in color scheme. There was a BBC America show I enjoyed called House Invaders. The house would just add bits and pieces to revamp an area. In the previous images the cabinet doors are metallic green. This time I thought a gold copper mix would look nice. I like the over all green color on the walls and the Brown in the ceiling so I left that alone and just concentrated on painting the doors the cover to the water heater, shelves, clock, and fridge. I am overall happy with the results.

I did spend some money on a clean up helper. I asked a friend of mine if his daughter would like to make some money. My sister's family moved away so I had to look outside of the family for help.

Anferny, you dodged that bullet.

Anyway, since I neglected to move dinner wear out I spent a lot of time washing and Lizzie (The helper) dusted all the upstairs books and washed horizontal surfaces. Thanks Lizzie.

Anyway I will post other photos later that shows the full kitchen.

Uncovering Hardwood floors

2008-10-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

Like all home improvement projects that I have ever worked on it always starts out as my thought that the project would be easy. One morning on a whim I was contemplating the flooring in my kitchen. I had placed down peel and stick a few years ago and of course they never last and you can never really clean them once you trash them. I have noticed that the kitchen floor seemed thicker than the hallway. So I took a flashlight and chisel and discovered hardwood floors! From the hallway into the kitchen the linoleum pulled up quickly. I thought wow this should be pretty easy. Take an evening rip up the floors, then sand, and polyeurithane. what could be so difficult?

Well the three layers of linoleum and the tar holding the ancient layer to the pine floor. One night turned to three or four with a heat gun and chisel. I had to heat the tar to near melting and then scrape it off. Then I would use a large scraper if I could het a foothold on section.

Yeah and I forgot, I never remove stuff out of a work area. I left all my dishes and what not, in the kitchen while I worked. The photos shows removal of the flooring.

Steampunk Dahon Folding Bike

2008-08-05T15:07:00.000-07:00

As a person who does not own a car but loves to travel. This was a great buy. I have taken it on trains and buses. For more information on my biking experience check out my interview here: http://bikejax.blogspot.com/2008/05/roxanne-living-free-car-free-in.html

Well Iam also a fan of the Steampunk movement. I am a big fan of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and everything Dickensian. Though my taste are ecclectic I like the idea that DIY Steampunk movement is about creating one of a kind items. For more information about Steampunk: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/08/style/08punk.php

I don't live the total steampunk life as I like to look of mordernism as well. So I am ecclectic punk.

For a project to show off at Dragon Con, The largest Sci-Fi Media event in the U.S. takes place in Atlanta, Ga every Labor Day weekend I decided to pimp my ride. I took my bike with me last your to zip from hotel to hotel with great success.

So I embarked some cosmetic changes to the bike. The thing about a folding bike is that weight ratio. With the bike packed into its bike bag and panniers and some luggage it weighs about 45lbs. Above 50lbs you have to pay for your luggage. So I decided to go a creative route of faux painting and some metal work. The paint I used were enamels that one uses for high quality model painting. Testors works well.

At one point I was thinking of adding tentacles for a more Lovecraftian look but really gave more thought to Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues under the Sea and Around the World in Eighty Days. But I did add a stylized Cthulhu monster ead near the seat post.

The letters that spell the name Dahon is called Black Letter and can be found on the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society's Font CD. These were cut out of Aluminum printing plates that we had no use for at work. In the Victorian era aluminum was at a premium and it is easy to cut.

I utilized line tape that was prevalent in layout before the advent of desktop publishing. I was trying out a wood type look on the fenders. The Panniers or Saddlebags I recolored those, as there were a faded grey to a nice hunter green. A few cog embellishments and a really nice Brooks Touring saddle added to the over all effect. In the end I decided to call the Bike a Dahon Passepartout. Passepartout was the manservant to Philias Fogg from Around the World in Eighty Days. This would be the prefect bike to take on their travels as they raced around the world.

Please excuse the jumble of photos as I am still new to the placement of items on Blogger. The Second The Second Photo is a stock photo of a Dahon Boardwalk that I started with.

Steampunk Case for my iTouch

2008-08-05T10:13:00.000-07:00

I am not sure what to make of blogging but, I thought I could show some of you Steampunk afficiandos my iTouch Babbage case. Sorry I do not have any work in progress images.

I used Basswood for the case with salvaged Italian leather and parts from an old cigar box.

The typeface for the the name Babbage is called Black Letter. You can find this type face on the H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society's Font CD on their website: http://www.cthulhulives.org/toc.html.

24 Days until Dragon Con 08!

Day Light Savings Time

2008-03-09T15:54:00.000-07:00

Even when you get nough sleep for day light savings, you always feel like you are hung over.