Happy Leap Year, and I am a Big Blog Cheater!

Friday, February 29, 2008

It's Leap Day!!!!

Hundreds of years ago, according to English law, February 29th was ignored and had no legal status. The day was "leapt over" and ignored, hence the name Leap Day. Folks assumed that traditions would also have no status on that day. It was also reasoned that since the leap year day existed to fix a problem in the calendar, it could also be used to fix an old and unjust custom that only let men propose marriage.

The first documentation of this practice dates back to 1288, when Scotland passed a law that allowed women to propose marriage to the man of their choice in that year. They also made it law that any man who declined a proposal in a leap year must pay a fine. The fine could range from a kiss to payment for a silk dress or a pair of gloves.

Since it is Leap Day and the option of finding a suitable groom in the next few hours is not likely for me, I think I will make a big confession for this Leap Year (seeing as it won't actually count for anything, Yay for tradition!)

This brings me to the second part of my title for today. So yes, I am a Big Blog Cheater. I confess, I often do not have time to post each day so I log in and put a place holder in the system with a draft post. Then I go back and write something later when I have the time and inspiration to do it right.

So there you go, I confess to being a cheater at this whole blog thing. How else could I have ever managed to post 14 times this month? A little help from Blogger lets me get away with it and I am not complaining about it one bit. (Hope my readers don't mind either!)

I am Being Graded !

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

I found this interesting site that actually analyzes the language that you write your blog in and grades it. Interesting.

blog readability test




I scored alright. I wonder how the program works to do the analysis. Is it the big fancy words in use or do they rate your typos, something like a typing test? I guess it could be a combination of the two. Got a blog? Give it a try!

Etsy Alternatives

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

After my last post about Etsy I have been doing some serious investigation into the whole online selling options available to regular folks. It seems I am not the only person who is reevaluating the Etsy experience. On Indiepublic there is even a thread started for those former Etsy sellers who were either booted off by Etsy admin or closed up shops of their own accord.

With over 112,000 shops on Etsy, you can imagine that competition is fierce. From what I have read, there are essentially 3 ways to go about getting your shop noticed within the Etsy site itself.

1 - Keep listing and relisting items - a LOT. (this can quickly add up to a costly Etsy bill.)

2 - Buy yourself a spot or two in one of the many treasuries showcases.(also can be costly)

3 - Hang out in the online forums all day and add your "2 cents worth" (most of us have more than a fair share of "2 cents" but not enough time to make this method pay off.)

These features of the cult of Etsy detract from making it a viable solution for "Etsy Newbs" like me. Part of what makes Etsy so successful is the fact that the site is designed this way on purpose thereby making its cult like nature work wonders for the initiated masses.

But I digress; this post was intended to be a useful list of alternatives to selling on Etsy, so here it is: (in no particular order)

iCraft
MintD
Canduru
Dawanda
Lov.li
HandmadeCatalog
WholesaleCrafts
Elsewares
Ecrater
Shopify
CutNpaste *Sells for you on consignment basis.
HomegrownMarket
CraftersBuzz
Guild
SuperMarket
PinkDoodle
NotonTheHighStreet
SilkFair
RubyLane
and lets not forget EBay (which I am sure you can Google yourself because personally I just don't go there.)
and then last but certainly not least (and my personal favourite,
BigCartel

*Edited to include:
SmashingDarling (Thanks Kristin!)
BuyItSellIt (Thanks Eddy!)
Creative Cafe
Overstock Auctions
Wagglepop
Tuggle

Note that each of these sites has their own systems set up, with specific Terms of Service and Agreements. These should all be evaluated carefully prior to signing on as with any internet sign-up for service endeavour.

I hope readers find this list helpful. Any comments about said sites to do with service either pro or against are welcome but lets keep it constructive.

I hope to do a more in-depth comparison of many of these in the next week or so. Also note that some of these sites are juried selections.

So here is an interesting post. I have been looking around the web at all kinds of site that disuss how to increase traffic. This here I found and it may be all one big hoax but I am going to give it a go. Anything can help I hope.

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

  • The best blogging techniques.
  • How to get traffic to your blog.
  • How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.



Soo yes this could get interesting folks.

Illustration Friday - Multiple

Friday, February 22, 2008


An Illustration Friday post that I have not submitted...... Multiple is the theme.

My New Shop Banner

Saturday, February 16, 2008

CHECK IT OUT!

Ok, you might remember I was going to make myself a spiffy new banner for my shop using the nice vectorized logo I got using the Vector Magic program. Well, it turns out I still need to invest in Photoshop or some other program to get the results that I want for a decent looking banner. Since I am not about to do that and then spend hours trying to fiddle with the images I decide to make a big purchase and buy a banner. This is the custom banner I got from a very nice and qualified graphic designer from Etsy.

So yeah I had to fork over a few bucks but the amount of time it saved me by getting someone else to do something for me the right way was worth it. Don't you agree?

Go to Alternati's Etsy shop and see for yourself.

Friday Fun

Friday, February 15, 2008


Happy Blogiversary...! Is that what it's called? My two year anniversary of beginning this blog will be tomorrow! I can't believe it. I have kept it up fairly steady, with only a few months off last year for bad behaviour. Well, I really did have a good excuse with the whole moving thing and all. Sooo I'm sure my readers will have forgiven me by now. Anywho, here's to many more posts about general empty talk or chatter!....

Ooooh lala! C'est Magnifique!!!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008


How great is this tool?
Je peux pratiquer ma très sincère dévotion fanatique à une certaine personne dont l'anniversaire est aujourd'hui, et de le traduire en français avec ce super génial outil de Google. En supposant qu'il ne lit pas en français, il ne serait jamais!

Je peux parlez sur toutes choses dans le monde que je veux faire, comme la promenade sur les Champs D'Elisée et d'explorer les rues de Marrakech, faire de la randonnée au Tibet, et par le cycle d'Amsterdam. Que quelqu'un sait même de quoi je parle? Eh bien oui bien sûr, s'ils peuvent lire françaises ils l'obtenir. Mais comme personne ne lit vraiment ce blog, en français ni Anglais, c'est vraiment pas un problème de compréhension est-il maintenant? Non, plutôt un problème de la commercialisation que je manque.

Mais vous souhaitez lire le message en espagnol? Pas de problème!
Que usted quiera, en español? ¡No hay problema!

No puedo hablar de todas las cosas fabulosas en el mundo que lo que quiero hacer, al igual que pasear por los Campos D'Elisee y explorar las calles de Marrakech, vaya excursiones en el Tíbet y en el ciclo a través de Amsterdam. ¿Habrá alguien siquiera saben de lo que estoy hablando? Bueno, sí por supuesto, si es que pueden leer lo que le darían francés. Pero viendo que en realidad nadie lee este blog, en francés o Inglés, que realmente no es un problema de comprensión ahora es? No, más un problema de comercialización.

Now, I actually do know some french from back in the day and I can definitely say that the Google tool is not perfect in its use of grammar. But I would definitely give it an "A" for effort.
What would be the greatest tool for your French 11 class in high school? Um, yay Google translator!!! Aces!

Go ahead, try it and see for yourself. It even has a "translate web page" function that just requires a URL and VOILA! Instant understanding. If only the rest of life were just that easy.

February is Apple Month

Monday, February 11, 2008

An apple a day!... here is a digital one for you all to chomp on.


Who knew? Certainly not me until I heard it on the radio the other day. I think this might only be a regional awareness program but I have no idea why they would pick February as the month to celebrate apples. The world is filled with perplexities I suppose.

More freakin Snow....Oh yeah and Happy Lunar New Year

Thursday, February 07, 2008

So yeah it snowed today AGAIN! I can't believe the amount of snow that has fallen here. I guess I was spoiled with 15 mild winters on the coast. Everyone keeps saying this is so unusual for this city to get this much snow. I do not know yet if I should believe them all...........


FAT RAT
On another note, Year of the Rat! Here we come! This is a little drawing my 5 year old did in Paint program on the computer to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Such geniuses, my kids are!!!

What a Day! Check out my Geek Tool Tip!

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

So yeah it was quite a day. Brownies, lots of crazy stuff. It was my day to volunteer so I brought snacks. It is supposed to be healthy snacks only for Brownies. Is chocolate milk and fortune cookies considered healthy? I hope so....The girls were all quite happy anyhow.

Here is a new and awesome geek tool that I found recently. Vector Magic is an online tool that changes your rastor images (aka. crappy line drawings in my case) into nice vectorized images. I think some smarty pantzes from Stanford U developed it but I'm not sure. I also can't remember where exactly I came across this little gem either. I was so excited to get going and try it out that any other relevant and otherwise applicable information went promptly by the wayside.



Before: Scanned image of hand drawn scroll.

After: Nicely Vectorized Image - me likes!!!

This would be a great tool for anyone into graphic design who just dabbles and doesn't really want to fork out the cash for big high falootin expensive graphic programs. (Yes, like me...) I am going to work on a nicer banner for my shop because the one I am currently trying to pass off as a professional looking banner is quite sad indeed.

Normally I don't like to share my super duper tricks that I find as I like to keep all the awesome tidbits to myself so I look like a star. Considering nobody actually reads this blog, letting the tricks out of the bag shouldn't really be a problem so I am sharing. That and I am feeling particularly generous today.

So there you go, you all can have some fun with that for a few hours.
Oh and don't thank me, thank those brainiacs at the lab!
(Special thanks to the people at Stanford U, what would I do without you?)

Gilded Cage Design

Gilded Cage Design is the work of the very talented artist and designer Robin Sweet.

Ms. Sweet's impressive background combines her education in Clothing Construction and Textile Science with an extensive career in design and merchandising. She as many years of experience in retail merchandising, film and theater styling, costume and set design, as well as art direction.

Robin's personal creative muse is represented in her line of Victorian inspired accessories and one of a kind artisan dolls. Her work can be seen both on her personal website and her newly created blog. Robins Etsy shop has quite a following with over 360 fellow Etsians calling Gilded Cage Design a favorite already.

A keen eye for detail serves Ms. Sweet well as she hand makes all of her works using ribbons, laces and other vintage bits from her collection. The intricate details in each piece make for a bountiful feast for the eye. One could easily add an air of elegance and glamour of olden times with a piece from her shop. It seems as if the wearer is donning a piece of history as well as instantly brightening up a look at the same time.

Check out the links, you won't be disappointed. (links to follow)

Funny Junk Mail

Monday, February 04, 2008

Okay, maybe it isn't that funny at all.

SIX MISTAKES RETIREES MAKE WITH THEIR FINANCES.....And how to avoid them.

The propaganda piece goes on to outline some basics of what this ever so informative seminar would cover. It is quite cleverly written, not giving out one little bit of a hint as to what the actual 6 big boo-boos are.

I guess what was funny was what it made me think of. I wonder if one of the big ones discussed is "Make sure you spend all of your millions living well so that when you go your ne'er do well offspring won't get see any significant sums of it because they don't deserve it."

Because that would be the number one faux-pas on my list. (Think Paris Hilton here.)

Tie One On Gallery is up!

Just to point out to my two loyal readers that the Tie One On gallery is up over at Flickr.
You might remember that I submitted a lovely apron to the bunch for the polka dotted theme going on way back in December. I have been a lurker fan over at Tie One On the apron gallery blog for sometime now. Angry Chicken has been hosting this feast for the eyes for a few years now and I believe it has quite a following of dedicated "apronistas". I finally got it together this round and submitted something.

If you are new to Psilology, having clicked on over from the Flickr post, WELCOME, and I hope you enjoy what you see here.

Superbowl Banter...

Sunday, February 03, 2008

as it leaves the mouth of the 5 year old..

  • What is N dot Y dot G dot?
  • Do I have to cheer for them?
  • Who is the baddest?
  • Why don't they make up a new game? They can all stop and do push-ups on the field and the one who does the most wins!
  • How come the guy has to be on one knee?
  • Wow, is he a real giant?
  • Are they playing now?
  • I want one of the red guys to win.
and last but certainly not least.....
  • ..ooooooh, dat's gotta hurt........!
All this and the game is not even over yet. I'll have to keep you all posted... if I don't pee my pants laughing!