|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I ♥ him.
Obama:
"I've called on Congress to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act to help end discrimination -- to help end discrimination against same-sex couples in this country. Now, I want to add we have a duty to uphold existing law, but I believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides. And fulfilling this duty in upholding the law in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this law. I've made that clear."
I'm also urging Congress to pass the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, which will guarantee the full range of benefits, including health care, to LGBT couples and their children.
The President and First Lady hosted the first-of-its-kind LGBT Pride Month reception at the White House yesterday. On the heels of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the reception brought together LGBT families, volunteers, community leaders, lawmakers and heads of LGBT organizations to celebrate the LGBT community.
read more...
 » politics/religion
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I did a 3D working clock puzzle yesterday. For this one I actually put the mechanism in the thing.
It is a really beautiful one!
 ( 3D Cuckoo Clock )
It took me 2.5 hours to assemble. It was easy stuff. I'd love to do more of these but they are way too expensive for me. There wasn't any information about the artwork or design for this clock. With all of the maple leaves and such that are on this clock, it looks kind of like a Canadian theme. Doesn't surprise me. The manufacturer is located in Quebec, Canada.
I am:  enthralled
» art.project, photos.jigsaw
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I finished a puzzle on Monday. I didn't post about it yet, but after I finished it I had some trouble determining which puzzle to do next.
All over the place on the internet I was seeing things related to 420 so I pretty much decided it was time to do this specific one quick on 4/20!
There is artwork showing marijuana and reference to other types of illegal drugs, so I'm not so sure this one is work-safe.
( Very Possibly NSFW )
I think the illustration is pretty cool, actually. Some of the psychadelic stuff is too out there for me, but I did like this one.
» art.project, photos.jigsaw
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My new crack is jigsaw puzzles of the ancient historical maps from the 1600's. I had posted about a wooden one I had done previously. Along with that one I have a total of 7 different maps. I completed two more of them over the last couple of days. The week before, I happened to acquire a rare one that is completely gold metallic.
Some history:
In the old maps of the world (then called maps of the new world, lol) California is an island in North America, and in some of them, Australia had not yet even been discovered. In some of the cartography, like in the wooden one I did, the coastline of the continent had only barely been uncovered.
Before it was known as Australia, it was called "New Holland". On the maps it reads as Nova Hollandia. This is information that I got from Wikipedia:New Holland is a historic name for the island continent of Australia. The name was first applied to Australia in 1644 by the Dutch seafarer Abel Tasman as Nova Hollandia, naming it after the Dutch province of Holland, and remained in use for 180 years. William Dampier's account of exploring the region used the name in his account.
After the establishment of a settlement at New South Wales in 1788, which encompassed the eastern part of the continent, the term New Holland was more often used to refer only to that part of the continent that had not yet been annexed to New South Wales; thus it referred to the area of land that is now Western Australia.
The abandonment of the name is due to Matthew Flinders, who used the name Australia for the continent, and recommended its official adoption. This was rejected at the time, but in 1824 the name change received official sanction by the United Kingdom.
In the Netherlands Nieuw Holland would remain the usual name of the continent until the end of the 19th century; it is now no longer in use.
The Dutch are very well known for their experience with sailing. In the 1600s when the Dutch won the revolution to become independent of Spain their Naval Army consisted so many tall warships. Some of the artwork reflecting the time of the wars at sea show so many ships in fierce battle it gives me the chills.
Jan van Leiden, 1669 / Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
The set of two maps that I did this week were drawn by a cartographer hailing from Amsterdam. In this map, Australia is titled Nova Olanda, and the cartographer included notes about the discovery of what is now known as Papua New Guinea. I studied Latin in 1994. I can't translate all of what is in the notations but from what I can, the guy just about wanted to make his map a mini-encyclopedia, too.
Between the two puzzles which depict the eastern and western hemispheres separately, I have about a dozen really large photos under the cut.
( Western Hemisphere )
The western hemisphere chart shows four compasses. Between the two maps the western hemisphere has the most ornately drawn compasses.
( Eastern Hemisphere )
I have searched everywhere to find out more about this specific map set but I can't find anything listed for it or what museum or collector owns it to get an idea of its value. From the value of the other ones this one would be at the low end. Probably in the range of $4,000 to $6,000 because it is quite plain in comparison to other maps of the time.
Well that was some nifty info, now wasn't it? ;)
» photos.art, photos.jigsaw
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Months ago I bought a puzzle that I was only mildly interested in, just for the sake of being able to say that I did it when it was finished.
It is "The World's Smallest 1000 Piece Puzzle".
Boy is it small. My body hurts from getting this thing assembled.
There were two motifs to choose from and I picked the one with the tall ship in it.
( 5 Big Photographs )
Working on this was an SOB. If the pieces were just slightly smaller I would have had to assemble it using tweezers. They made it just barely do-able by hand.
With a regular sized puzzle I'm moving back and forth and reaching all over the place to place pieces or even search for them. With this one there was really no need for me to extend my body parts. I was feeling cramped. Not having to extend myself, my neck hurt, my back hurt, arms and fingers were all cramped from not moving much and being in one position for so long.
It was just short of feeling like I was in an invisible sardine can. I don't think I'll be doing another one of these. lol.
It was also like...the thought of me picking up over 1000 cheerios and putting them back in the box one at a time in a certain order. Makes me grumpy. lol.
I think it turned out pretty, though. :)
I am:  sore
» art.project, photos.jigsaw
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
reference: this post
I finished my Easter Cottage and tried to take photos yesterday but it was late and the natural light was gone. This morning I took photos that came out somewhat better.
( Finished Easter Cottage + )
I'm happy about it. I think it turned out totally cute. :) I think I'd do another one in the future now that I have an idea of what goes into it. Maybe I'll grab some glitter glue for the next time.
...And now for a hunt!
( Find the Black Cat )
Whew! I've got my Easter decorating out of the way. =P
I am:  artistic
» art.project, photos.art, photos.jigsaw
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earlier in the month I had a set of 2 puzzles imported from the UK. Both are Disney puzzles not distributed in the United States. I started one of them last night and finished it this afternoon.
There are so many details that I really had to take a lot of photographs and still it doesn't include everything.
There are 16 other large images under the cut. Load time may get a bit extreme. Eep!
I took a photo of one of the pieces that framed an item in the puzzle really well and I'm making it my teaser. :P
Pic #1 of 17: 
( Best Disney Themes - Puzzle )
It was awesome to work on. The other Disney puzzle I will be doing later on down the road. :)
I feel like I still need to take more pictures. lol.
» art.project, photos.jigsaw
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(This you have to see!)
, actually.
at least you'll get a look at what kind of stuff is out there.
Previous Entries