Who Wouldn't Want to Win a Hedgehog?

Not a live one, but an adorable handmade one by Olga Wassupbrothers. She is offering one of her little cuties to a lucky winner in her online contest.

Olga Wassupbrothers' Hedgehog Giveaway

The contest is open to anyone in the world! You have until March 1st, 2013 to enter. Good luck!

How to Make a Broken Toe Look Better

Despite being a former ballet student who was praised for her graceful carriage, offstage I am the clumsiest person on earth. My body is forever covered in bruises, scratches, cuts, scrapes, and bumps. All day, every day, I stumble through the house, tripping and prat falling in a manner worthy of the Three Stooges. I do stupid things that result in weird injuries. For example, back in the summer I accidentally turned on the heat under a Pyrex glass bowl, causing it to explode. Though I jumped out of the way seconds before the catastrophe occurred, I ended up with a piece of glass embedded in my foot due to my attempts to clean up my mess.

I have fallen through at least three chairs.

You would think that with all of this clumsiness, I have probably broken every bone in my body by now, but you would be thinking incorrectly. In fact, the only part of me that has ever been broken is my nose (on multiple occasions and in multiple silly ways). Until now that is.

I broke my left little toe upon running into the living room to remove The Precious from a precarious position, catching the idiotic thing on the wooden leg of the couch that I always forget is there. The toe hooked around the leg one way and I fell another, and The Precious puzzled at Mommy's weird behaviour as Mommy crumpled over a coffee table and stayed draped there making faces without a sound.

It actually doesn't hurt very much unless I put weight on it, so I could, theoretically, walk around with most of my weight on my big toe. Unfortunately, being the clumsy ape that I am, I have torn something in my hip, and walking on my big toe makes my hip scream. So I am reduced to staying mostly still and hobbling around in pillowy slippers when necessary. With The Precious around, it is very often necessary to hobble thus.

So anyway, how does one make a broken toe look better? I mean, let's be honest. The thing sticks out like a sore thumb. (Please tell me I win a bad joke award of some kind for that one!)

Well, here's the "Before" photo.

And here's the "After."

You see, a terrible home pedicure can make a huge difference to the appearance of a broken toe. The viewer is no longer horrified by the swollen, bruised appearance of the annoying little blighter. The bright purple nail polish, inexpertly applied, draws the eye away from the wound and leaves the viewer in doubt of one's sanity rather than one's degree of injury.

As to how to make a broken toe FEEL better, I can only say that soaking in hot water with Epsom's salts helps until the water turns cold. After that, alas! you're on your own.

Yes, You Can Wear a Book!

And no, I am not talking about paper dresses! Tiny book necklaces are all the rage right now, and if you have a few ingredients and a little time and patience they are not that hard to make.


See Mini Book Necklace and 1000's of others - or share your own on Cut Out + Keep

I love this idea and think it would be great to write your favourite quotes, Bible verses, words of wisdom, etc. in your book so that you could wear them close to your heart and refer to them in times of crisis.

The Woods are Lovely, Dark and Deep

To me, Mirkwood is the perfect place to be at this time of year. Some would probably think Forochel because of the snow, but as a Floridian, Mirkwood is the most like winter to me. It truly is beautifully gloomy!

Tall weeds, pine trees, murky sky...yep, this could be Florida in December!

Could that be Dol Guldor lurking in the distance?

So green...and yet it's not a nice peaceful English countryside green. Something is horribly wrong here. Isn't it gorgeous though?

The moon is so well done that I think whoever designed it should get an award.

There is even a lovely sinister library--be careful about reading the books though! I have a feeling they might be dangerous.

Dollar Store Christmas Trees

Every year people post great ideas for making inexpensive Christmas decorations, and this year is no different. My favourite so far uses, of all things, plastic spoons!

Oh Christmas Tree

The link will take you to a page that has three other tree projects on it, including one made from peppermint candy.

So get crafting and deck those halls!

Facebook FYI

Did I ever mention that I'm on Facebook? I don't think I did. So here goes!
This blog has its own page on Facebook, and it can be found here. So get on there and give me so "like"s.

Cheers!

Aurelas

Beauty Products for Geeks Like Me

I love that the internet is making it easier and easier for crafters and creators of all kinds to make specialized products that might not sell as well in a small regional market. Thanks to the interwebs, there are now beauty products aimed just at those of us who love Doctor Who, Harry Potter, The Big Bang Theory, and so forth.

Nail Polish for Geeks

When you go to see The Hobbit, you can have your nails painted in Misty Mountains green!

Misty Mountains Nail Polish Mini

Also from the same shop is a lovely purple polish inspired by a poem in The Lord of the Rings.

To the Edge of Night Nail Polish

In the Doctor Who category, I love this weeping angel nail polish--would you believe it's vegan?

Weeping Angel Nail Polish

This polish is sure to remind you of one of the best-ever episodes of Doctor Who!

Starry Night Nail Polish Vegan

Now to Harry Potter. Named for the truly terrifying yet hauntingly beautiful, insane witch Bellatrix L'estrange, this black polish with sparkles is gorgeous.

Lestrange

Despite being the Ravenclaw type myself, I love this Slytherin-green Pansy Parkinson nail polish!

Parkinson

If it's Gryffindor you must have, I think this one looks best.

Gryffindor Harry Potter Nail Polish

If you love The Big Bang Theory you will want to wear these fun polishes from DIFFERENTdimension.

Here's one inspired by Sheldon's annoying catchphrase.

Bazinga

And don't forget our favourite game!

Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock Nail Polish

There's even a polish to wear while singing Soft Kitty!

Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty Nail Polish

I think this is the ultimate Star Trek nail polish.

Astrometrics Nail Polish

Doctor Who perfume? You bet. Bubble and Geek has it covered!

Sadly, this doesn't have hallucinogenic effects.

River's Kiss Rollon Fragrance

There is even a his-and-hers perfume!

Mr. and Mrs. Pond Roll On Fragrance

The same shop also offers a nice fragrance for "Ringers."

Hobbit Garden Roll On Fragrance
Be sure to check out their line of candles and lip balms while you're there!

Yes, I know I've neglected Star Wars. The reason is that I'm not really that big of a fan. But for the Star Wars crowd, here is a special fragrance.

Cantina Band Perfume Oil


What about makeup?

Well, there's Tardis blue eyeshadow...

Blue Box The Tardis Blue Eyeshadow

Shire green eyeshadow...

Shire Eyeshadow

and Zelda-inspired eyeshadow in glorious gold!

Zelda's Triforce Gold Eyeshadow

What do you use to store all of this geeky goodness? This bag comes immediately to mind! I just hope it's bigger on the inside!

Doctor Who Toile Fabric Zipper Pouch

Keep checking my blog for more posts on great geeky gifts!

Nerdy Quote of the Week

I wasn't feeling well yesterday and found myself reading Emily Dickinson in the bath for comfort. When I came to this poem, I knew I had found my quote of the week, even though it is a poem and not really a quote. Sadly, this edition removes Dickinson's original dashes and other interesting punctuation.

A precious, mouldering pleasure 't is
To meet an antique book,
In just the dress his century wore;
A privilege, I think.

His venerable hand to take,
And warming in our own,
A passage back, or two, to make
To times when he was young.

His quaint opinions to inspect,
His knowledge to unfold
On what concerns our mutual mind,
The literature of old;

What interested scholars most,
What competitions ran
When Plato was a certainty,
And Sophocles a man;

When Sappho was a living girl,
And Beatrice wore
The gown that Dante deified.
Facts,centuries before,

He traverses familiar,
As one should come to town
And tell you all your dreams were true:
He lived where dreams were born.

His presence is enchantment,
You beg him not to go;
Old volumes shake their vellum heads
And tantalize, just so.

Emily Dickinson

What can I possibly say to follow that up?