the big one zero zero zero

Wow. Apparently some people actually do read my blog. :) Today I managed to catch it at 1,00 0 views. Now, there's no way to be sure, but half of those could possibly be mine...

In honor of 1,000 views, I've launched a colorful clare facebook! (ok, no. I've been working on it for a week or so, it's not in honor of 1,000 views. but we can pretend) So if you glance over there to your right, you'll notice a like box. Please like me, check it out and give me your suggestions! I'd really appreciate it.

It's definitely a work in progress, but someday maybe it'll be something worthwhile. Until then, suggestions suggestions suggestions! please.

Also, I found this olllddd piano video from February 2008 on my computer. Just as a special bonus for all the views. haha. :) peace!

TUTORIAL: Elephant Glass Ornament

#5 - I've been making things :)

TUTORIAL:

Glass Elephant Ornament

What you will need:

# 1 - A cheap, clear glass ornament.

# 2 - Permanent Markers.

# 3 - Creativity!!

Step One - After I took some pictures of myself in the ornament for a while, I went on the internet and googled 'cute elephant'. Of course you could use this concept for virtually anything, but the person the ornament was for is an avid elephant fan. So anyway, I found the above image in a google search.

I traced the elephant onto my ornament with a blue sharpie, and filled it in. I had to go over the Sharpie at least two times, and I went over it three times in some areas.

After that I added the finishing details to the piece - a traced border around the elephant, some hearts and polka dots. I made sure all the spots were pretty filled in with marker, and thennn...

I decided it would look nice to fill the ornament with tissue paper :) So I did. I put the top back on and put some glitter glue around it. I wrote 'happy birthday 2011' on the back for the recipient of the ornament, wrapped it in tissue paper & gave it away. Voila!

So cheap, so easy, and so fun! I plan on making more of these for Christmas presents. Tis the season. Which reminds me of this video from my favorite movie...

autumn picnic

#4 - I've gone on dates with Trevor.


Trevor & I still like to celebrate the one month anniversaries, but when it came to our November anniversary I was at a loss for what to do. Neither of us had very much money so I thought - ah! A picnic!

I googled fall picnic ideas & found a lot of awesome websites. Here are some for you to visit!
- delish.com
- foodandwine.com
- howdoesshe.com
- the-picnic-site.com

After this, I was inspired. I went to the store and put together a gourmet picnic. I packed napkins, a blanket, and even some candles. It was chilly but not too chilly, the week right before daylight savings kicked in. (meaning the sun was still out when I got off work. Ha!)

 I got the stuff ready so that we could head straight to the park after work. I bought those Soup at Hand drinkable soups and microwaved them so we'd have something warm to drink :)

The lighting was beautiful and the temperature was definitely tolerable.

I'm all for ambience, so I brought a couple tea lights with. :D Heh, call me cheesy but I loved the way they looked.

We had chips, rice cakes with salami & provolone, deviled eggs, those soups and strawberry cheesecake for dessert. We played some music from my iPhone and watched the sunset.

Great memories <3

One tip I'd add - for any picnic in the fall/winter, BRING A BLANKET. We ended up just sitting on it but I think it really prevented us from getting cold. Although when the sun started going down more, the chill set in and we decided to leave. So I definitely recommend sunlight for picnics. :)

Your assignment:

HAVE A LIVING ROOM PICNIC!!

Show me your pictures!

ideas here :)

more fall photography

In case you haven't noticed already, a big part of my blogging is to show all the hundreds of thousands of pictures I inevitably take. Which brings me to another big thing I've been doing lately.

#3 - As usual, I've been taking & editing tons of pictures!


I'm working on a project called supermacro, which is exactly what it sounds like - supermacro pictures, closeups of anything and everything i can find to photograph. Here are some I've taken so far -

Things look so much different when you really stop and look at the details :)

Other photo project ideas I have are:

- take a picture of my accessories every day

- take a picture of a bunch of people's face, and then their choice in footwear

a while ago, I started a photo project called Pieces of Me. Again, the general concept is pretty obvious :) I'd like to add more to it, eventually. If only I had more time on my hands... or maybe I should be saying, "If only I used my time more wisely."

Let me ponder that for a while...

In the meantime, please give me some other photo project suggestions! Or even supermacro ideas. 

Please +1 if you liked this post!