ellenmillion: "thud" (thud)
It's warm and clear today - a little too warm, really; I hope the roads aren't too slick, because I have a doctor's appointment today and want to drag myself to the gym, too. I've got a load of laundry in now and need to get to the PO and apply for the PFD and a dozen other things. Energy level is unfortunately at about zero.

I would say we were nesting this weekend, but I think nesting is supposed to come with a spike of actual energy. So, Jake was nesting, and I was dragging myself along behind... we got the shelving up in Guppy's closet, and were able to clear out most of the things that had accumulated in the nursery - some of the larger items went out to the connex for storage, because she won't be able to use them until she's walking. The carseat is safely installed, and my hospital bag is all packed except for the things I use daily. We took a whole bunch of photos of me yesterday, too - I may post those if I have energy after my running around.

Healthwise, I'm hanging in there at 38 weeks... I definitely have some hand and ankle swelling, and both have come with some soreness. I've been keeping an eye on my blood pressure, which is a little higher than normal, but not at dangerous levels. I may have been wrong about her dropping - or she's climbed back up... though a cup of ginger tea and a Zantac an hour before bed seem to knock the heartburn down to just about nothing at night, I'm still out of breath, and the belly is still riding quite high. She's still vigorous and eating large chunks of my energy. I am very much slowed down with walking and especially climbing stairs. Sleeping is still pretty shattered. Some back pain, though it isn't a fraction as bad as I'd feared it would be by this point. I am both Very Ready to meet Elsa and get my lungs back, and hoping desperately for a few more weeks to get things done.

Have some project updates:

  • Giant Torn World update - see the details here! (Cliffnotes version: Rhysling nomination for one of Elizabeth's poems, now public, art gallery, now public, with next/previous browsing, updates to the storyline collection pages, including re-organization, art and articles, plus a new contest, and a reminder to vote for us in the Rose and Bay awards.)

  • Sketch Fest this Friday! Providing Elsa-Monkey-Guppy doesn't decide to show up early, there will be another awesome 48-hour Sketch Fest extravaganza Feb 10-12. Someone remind me to send a notice to my email list later this week (but BEFORE the Sketch Fest starts). http://www.ellenmilliongraphics.com/sketchfest/

  • Themes for the last 6 months of 2012 have been posted for EMG-Zine! (And actually added to the guidelines page, this time!) http://emg-zine.com

    I finished the next Rails installation this weekend and have posted it for canon board review. Hopefully I will steal a little more of my energy back for some art or writing today...
  • ellenmillion: "thud" (thud)
    Some of the artwork is hung, the rug is down, the accessories are assembled, the changing pad is installed, the rest of the clothing/toy boxes are sorted, a pad and bedding for the cradle are ordered... and, it looks like a nursery.

    But you can judge for yourself:

    PHOTOS OF PROOF )

    Now, I am going to go fall into bed. None of it was very hard work, but it was still a LOT of work.
    ellenmillion: "thud" (thud)
    I think this is what they call nesting.

    We got ALL the trim up in the nursery (*whimpers in relief!*), moved my dresser and some closet parts into the room, put away all the various tools that had been collecting there, touched up the paint, sorted about a hundred boxes of clothing (boxing up the stuff we won't need for several months) and toys and books and blankets. Trash got hauled out. Curtains got hung. Art is ready to go up once the walls are completely dry. Catboxes got cleaned. Cinnamon rolls and homemade bacon were made for breakfast, and snacked upon throughout the day.

    Dough is rising for pizza, and I'm about to tackle the last few boxes of clothes that need sorted. If energy lasts, we'll be moving the area rug upstairs to the nursery (we need a bigger one down here), and assembling the swing and bouncer. I will get the card for my camera while I'm downstairs getting the last boxes, and take PIKTURES! Finally!
    ellenmillion: (enough time)
    ... but some of the nursery trim is up, and the curtains are hung!! We're about to tackle the door next, which will allow all the final pieces of trim (FINALLY). I'm hoping for sketching time tonight after dinner.
    ellenmillion: (Default)
    Seriously, I've got more than 80 of these little canvases prepped, and I will be sad if I can't paint them all, and I'm nearly caught up on the prompts I've gotten!





    (I thought about posting them with their prompts, but it's sort of fun to guess which is which, too... I will post a recap that shows all the prompts at the end of the project!)

    Tipping is totally optional, don't be shy about posting a prompt if you can't tip! I LOVE doing these little paintings, and I find it such a challenge to work to prompts. Please share the link, and let your friends know, too - you may get the original of your painting for spreading the word... :)

    http://ellenmillion.livejournal.com/1215221.html

    (Some of the prompts are also posted in this entry, if you want to play guess-the-prompt: http://ellenmillion.livejournal.com/1213361.html )
    ellenmillion: (Default)
    Now closed to new free requests! If you tipped, please make sure I have a second prompt for you! If you'd still like a painting, you may get request one (er, two, actually!) only if you tip. This offer is open until the end of tomorrow.

    Some background on the project... )

    I will take photographs of the pieces in batches today, though scanning will require a few days of drying time, and at the end of the project, I will also take pictures of the nursery, to show you the curtains you helped me fund.




    Tip incentives:

  • Tip any amount, and I will absolutely do your prompt, no matter how many requests I get. You may also send your prompt in advance, starting now; you do not need to catch the window of prompts to get yours done, though it will not be posted until Tuesday, with the others. Thanks to folks who have tipped, I will be painting every prompt that comes in during the free window. I may not finish them all today, depending on how many prompts come in, but you will see something created from your prompt!

  • Tip $2 and I will scan a larger image of your piece. You will also receive an icon of your word (or phrase) like these (Thanks to donors, everyone will receive an animated icon!!):



  • Tip $3 and receive the original of your painting in the mail, domestic (US) addresses only.

  • Tip $5 and receive the original of your painting internationally.

  • Tip $10 and you may request a larger painting - up to 5x7 inches, OR your own ACEO and your choice of one of the ACEOs unclaimed within 24 hours by the prompter. You will receive the original(s), domestic or international shipping. I will make you two icons, you may supply the text for the extra one.

  • Tip $20 and you may request a painting up to 9 x 12 inches, OR your own ACEO and your choice of two of the ACEOs unclaimed within 24 hours by the prompter. You will receive the original(s), domestic shipping only. I will make you three icons, with text of your choice, or one animated icon.

  • Tip $25, as above with international shipping.

  • ACEO prints of any of them are available for $1 plus $1 flat shipping fee (domestic or international, any quantity).

  • If I get to $100 total tips, everyone (who gets a painting) will get an icon (whether they tipped or not). - We've made this goal!

  • If I get to $200 total tips, everyone will get a painting, even if it takes me a few extra days. - We've made this goal, too!

  • If we get to $300 total tips, everyone who tipped may get their icons animated (a simple word fade or blinky star). - We're there!

  • If I get to $400 total tips, I will do a second ACEO painting for everyone who tipped. If your original tip got you the original, you will get both originals - We made it!! If you tipped, be sure I have an extra prompt from you!

  • If I get to $500 total tips, I will give everyone who tipped a free ACEO print of their choice in addition to their originals (no matter how much they tipped!). I will also send the original of their ACEO to anyone who links to the project, whether they tip or not.

  • If I get to $600 total tips, everyone who linked to the project will get a second (or third!) ACEO painting, whether they tipped or not.



  • Any amount that we go over what I spend on curtains will be spent on nursery improvements. (Like windowsills, and light fixtures!) You will get photos! Update: curtains and rods have been ordered! Window returns are next on the list, and a full accounting will be posted with the photos.



    You may also mail your tip to:

    Ellen Million Graphics
    PO Box 82851
    Fairbanks Alaska 99708

    Email me to let me know it's coming! You may also spend EMG credits - just let me know!

    You may tip in advance, during the prompt window, or within 24 hours of the posting of the finished painting photos to claim your prompted painting. If you miss the prompt window, you may tip to get a painting until I have finished all of the outstanding paintings!

    If you tipped and are displeased with your finished product (did I use a color you hate? Just doesn't feel as good as the others?), I will do ONE do-over on request, OR you may select from any existing, un-claimed pieces. If you are still horribly unhappy with your painting, I'll refund your money.


    Prompt guidelines:

    The window for free abstracts to your prompts is open now! If I get a manageable number of prompts, I'll leave it open longer. I will be painting something for every prompt that comes in.

    Prompts should be simple ideas, single words, or short phrases. For example:

  • Hope
  • Turbulence
  • Brilliance
  • Dreaming Awake
  • Neverending
  • A green swirl
  • Something red and yellow

    You may add qualifiers (I hate orange, I like softer lines, I like the swirly green piece, the feather piece is my favorite, etc.). More complex and representational things may not translate well to abstract, though I may do very simple things, like:


    Birds

    Also, tell me what you'd like on your icon! (A few words? A phrase? Your username?) I will choose a section of your painting for your icon and give it a very simple animation. (Let me know if you'd prefer un-animated.)

    If you tip, leave a second prompt, because we are close to that incentive! Also, be sure to tell me if you want a larger painting, if you tip $10 or more, or if you want the extra ACEO(s)!

    Previous posts showing some more examples of my abstracts:

    http://ellenmillion.livejournal.com/1198108.html
    http://ellenmillion.livejournal.com/1198704.html
    http://ellenmillion.livejournal.com/1188962.html


    Please spread the word and link to this post! I look forward to painting for you!
  • ellenmillion: (roawr)
    We took it easy today... which meant sleeping in and working until only 7:30 PM. We fixed the bathroom door (which was sticking), and made some adjustments to the closet door so it would swing more freely, and then - gasp! - added actual, factual trim to the closet door. It looks... all finished and stuff. *beams*

    Behind the cut, many, many photos.

    Lots of before and after photos... )



    The Abstracts for Curtains fundraiser is going great! We have passed the first two group milestones, so I will be doing a painting for everyone who gets prompts in during the window on Tuesday, whether you can afford to tip or not. Everyone will be getting icons, too, and thanks to two awesome sponsors who didn't want to ask anything in return, I'll have a handful of extra originals to give away!

    For more details: http://ellenmillion.livejournal.com/1213361.html
    ellenmillion: (fairysquash)
    As you've probably noticed by now, we're building a nursery! I'm expecting in February, and we're frantically remodeling what used to be my studio into a safe and finished room for our guppy. So far, we've rebuilt some of the walls, rearranged the electricity, built a closet, sheetrocked, mudded, taped and painted, put in a laminate floor (not the one we really wanted - it cost too much!) and carpet in the closet. We're tackling trim next, and I'm looking at curtains... and our budget. I swear, we can't get out of Lowe's or Home Depot without emptying the wallet, even bypassing the fancy and high-end options for everything (1/2 price remnant carpet, yay!), and as often as we've been there over the last two months, it's starting to add up!

    So, the curtain budget is pretty tapped. Why Ellen (I said to myself), why don't you use this as an excuse to try crowd-funding with your abstract paintings?

    Self (I replied), that's a lovely idea.

    I can staple up some second hand rugs over the windows, in a pinch. We don't have anything fancier in our bedroom. But I'd really like some nice curtain rods and blackout curtains that I can pull back easily... I live in the land of the midnight sun, which I imagine will be pretty confusing to a baby we're trying to convince to sleep, so standard curtains won't cut it.

    I'd like to earn these curtains, and paint some abstracts for you!


    Details

    Participation is free! I will paint to prompts for as long as I have energy on Tuesday, August 9, doing tip incentives first, people who helped spread the word next (be sure to tell me if you link to the project!), and first-come, first-served after that. These will be abstract ACEO (2.5 x 3.5 inches) paintings, acrylics on canvas sheet. Some of my favorites are behind this cut here... )

    I will take photographs of the pieces in batches on painting day, though scanning will require a few days of drying time, and at the end of the project, I will also take pictures of the nursery, to show you the curtains you helped me fund.

    Tip incentives:

  • Tip any amount, and I will absolutely do your prompt, no matter how many requests I get. You may also send your prompt in advance, starting now; you do not need to catch the window of prompts to get yours done, though it will not be posted until Tuesday, with the others.

  • Tip $2 and I will scan a larger image of your piece. You will also receive an icon of your word (or phrase) like these:



  • Tip $3 and receive the original of your painting in the mail, domestic (US) addresses only.

  • Tip $5 and receive the original of your painting internationally.

  • Tip $10 and you may request a larger painting - up to 5x7 inches, OR your own ACEO and your choice of one of the ACEOs unclaimed within 24 hours by the prompter. You will receive the original(s), domestic or international shipping. I will make you two icons, you may supply the text for the extra one.

  • Tip $20 and you may request a painting up to 9 x 12 inches, OR your own ACEO and your choice of two of the ACEOs unclaimed within 24 hours by the prompter. You will receive the original(s), domestic shipping only. I will make you three icons, with text of your choice, or one animated icon.

  • Tip $25, as above with international shipping.

  • Prints of any of them are available for $1 plus $1 flat shipping fee (domestic or international, any quantity).

  • If I get to $100 total tips, everyone (who gets a painting) will get an icon (whether they tipped or not). - We've made this goal!

  • If I get to $200 total tips, everyone will get a painting, even if it takes me a few extra days. - We've made this goal, too!

  • If we get to $300 total tips, everyone who tipped may get their icons animated (a simple word fade or blinky star). - We're there!

  • If I get to $400 total tips, I will do a second ACEO painting for everyone who tipped. If your original tip got you the original, you will get both originals - We're a little over $70 to this goal, if you've tipped, feel free to leave a second prompt!

  • If I get to $500 total tips, I will give everyone who tipped a free ACEO print of their choice in addition to their originals (no matter how much they tipped!). I will also send the original of their ACEO to anyone who links to the project, whether they tip or not.



  • Any amount that we go over what I spend on curtains will be spent on nursery improvements. (Like windowsills, and light fixtures!) You will get photos! Update: curtains and rods have been ordered! Window returns are next on the list, and a full accounting will be posted with the photos.



    You may also mail your tip to:

    Ellen Million Graphics
    PO Box 82851
    Fairbanks Alaska 99708

    You may also spend EMG credits - just let me know!

    You may tip in advance, during the prompt window, or within 24 hours of the posting of the finished painting photos to claim your prompted painting.


    Prompt guidelines:

    If you are sending a tip now, you may send me your prompt at any time, either as a comment here, as a private email, or a PM on Facebook, etc. I'm flexible! If you are participating in the free window, you have to wait until Tuesday, August 9th. I will post an entry here at LJ where you may leave your prompt in a comment. I am planning to leave prompts open for about 4 hours, approximately 9 AM - 1 PM Alaska time (1 PM - 5 PM ET). If I get a manageable number of prompts, I'll leave it open longer.

    Prompts should be simple ideas, single words, or short phrases. For example:

  • Hope
  • Turbulence
  • Brilliance
  • Dreaming Awake
  • Neverending
  • A green swirl
  • Something red and yellow

    More complex and representational things may not translate well to abstract, though I may do very simple things, like:


    Birds


    Previous posts showing some more examples of my abstracts:

    http://ellenmillion.livejournal.com/1198108.html
    http://ellenmillion.livejournal.com/1198704.html
    http://ellenmillion.livejournal.com/1188962.html


    Please spread the word and link to this post! I look forward to painting for you and hope you will leave me some prompts!
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