That’s Elden’s attempt at counting today. He’s a funny little baby, toddler, or make that a kid these days.

I really did not feel like working out today, so after I deposited my second check in a week (it wasn’t like a million dollars or anything), I ended up driving around and hitting up few stores like Best Buys, and the Marukai home store. I so love, love this store because they have such interesting little items there. I picked up what looked like a double-side measuring cup, but thought it would be perfect for cutting out polymer clay circles and a small package of three cutters of different shapes. Of course not to be used for cooking. I also got a really cute little bead holder.

I actually went there because I wanted to see if they had a japanese convection oven. I think I am starting to not like my toaster oven anymore. I have the temperature set a bit lower than 300 degrees. The extra thermometer that I have inside, reads about 265. But so far with my experiments, the colour shifts more than I want it to. I am also testing with the translucent, and that totally yellows the pieces. I am still in experimenting mode, so that’s why I haven’t taken any pictures. When I use the Ranger melting pot, the colours come out perfect. I put the thermometer in there, but not sure if I get an accurate reading because it is a bit big to fit inside. The pot is supposed to get up to 365 degrees. The only problem with using this is I can only fit like 2-3 pieces inside. The following is from the Ranger Ink site, so apparently it should be okay to cure pc inside. Another thing is that my experimental pieces are rather thin.

Yes, using a Project Pan in the Melting Pot is a great way to cure polymer clay without burning the bottom of the clay piece. Place the clay directly in the Project Pan. (If you don’t want the back of the clay piece that touches the pan to be shiny, put a piece of polyester batting cut to fit inside the pan before placing the clay in it.) Heat the Melting Pot to the UTEE setting (360 degrees). Since you are using the Project Pan, it will diffuse the heat to a lower temperature (about 265).

Depending upon the clay manufacturer’s instructions, the rule of thumb is one quarter inch of clay takes 20 minutes. It is a good idea to have a thermometer handy to check the temperature of 265 as you would with your toaster oven as well – this assures that the clay is baked at the proper temperature so that the plasticizers built into the clay are baked out and that the cured clay is not brittle.

I also wanted heat up the piece with the heat gun to there are few parts of the piece that is filled with a little liquid Kato Polyclay, that I wanted to make clear).

Anyways, I think I am rambling now.

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Um, ya? It’s really my kitchen, yo! I’ve finally, yes finally gotten a chance to get my hands into some polymer clay. I have been pretty much been neglecting everything online, so if you have actually noticed my absence, that is basically what happened to me.

But dude, I have finally started experimenting on an idea that I had sketched out for a couple months now. It’s really still at its beginning stages, but that idea that has been stuck in my head forever and finally I was able to get it out onto clay. Yay! Also, I am going to integrate my pieces with my homemade paper that I made several years ago.

I also made a nice Valentine heart small canvas for Den, which unfortunately is unfinished at this point because I started it on Valentine’s morning. I love working on small canvas though. I bought like about 20 small blank canvas pieces in 2001 for some reason. Oh ya, I used them to spell out Brennan’s name to hang in his room. I may have bought lot extra because they were on sale. But throughout the year, I have actually used most of them up to make something crafty.

I also played around with a sample of the new microwave clay made by Staedtler who is the Eberhard Faber brand (Fimo), which I received at their booth at CHA last week. Of course the first time, I burnt it like a crisp. I ended up air drying it anyways and the maybe microwaved for a few short blasts of like 10 seconds. I couldn’t figure out how to change the temps on the microwave. I also received a couple packages of the new Studio Clay as well, but I am not sure when I will be able to play with them.

I am still in experimentation mode, but will attempt to take a few pictures of something tangible to prove that I really did get a chance to play with some clay. I’ve always been neglecting my camera too, btw.

Tomorrow the hubby and I will be going out for our belated V. day. Nothing major – just a movie and early dinner, but it will be nice to have a few hours of couple time. So happy V-lated Valentine to you!

Laam emailed this to me. I am so excited for her because she will be giving birth to her second child in three weeks.

Four things about me that you may or may not have known in no
particular order.

Four jobs I have had in my life:

1. New Media Author/Designer
2. Visual Resource Curator
3. Benetton Salesperson
4. Round Table Pizza Manager

Four movies I would watch over and over:

1. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
2. Grease
3. Lord of Ring Trilogy
4. Back to the Future

Four places I have lived:

1. Redondo Beach, CA
2. Diamond Bar, CA
3. San Dimas, CA
4. Riverside, CA

Four TV Shows that I watch:

1. Law and Order (right now I am watching season 15 downloaded)
2. CSI Miami Reruns
3. Law and Order Criminal Intent
4. Fashion Runway when I am the gym

Four places I have been:

1. Korea
2. Germany
3. Italy
4. Mexico

Who email me (regularly):

1. My professor
2. Klaudia
3. Den
4.

Four of my favorite foods:

1. Sushi – Tuna, Yellowtail, Salmon
2. Tangerines
3. Rice
4. Cheese

Four places I would rather be right now:

1. At a spa
2. Yosemite
3. On a cruise
4. At the Craft and Hobby Expo (Can’t wait until Sunday!)

Four Things I am looking forward to in 2008:

1. Moving and having my own craft room
2. Decorating our new digs
3. Some free time
4. Losing weight

Yes, baby I sent my absentee ballot on Friday!