Sunday, December 28, 2014

Medieval Inspired Cutouts/Book of Lael CONTEST: Week 4

The medieval inspired pseudo-hiatus continues! As previously noted I will be posting early medieval (in some cases LOOSELY) inspired works each Sunday through January 4th.

These works will also constitute another Book of Lael CONTEST! For each piece, send me a private message with your guess as to what work/related works inspired it. Whoever guesses the most correctly will win his or her choice of any one item from my etsy shop! I'll announce all of the inspirations on January 11th.

Note: Partial credit for any guess that amuses me!

--LJE


Friday, December 26, 2014

Holiday Bonus Post: Making Holiday Candy

Howdy, Readers! I said I might post some of the projects I've been working on this holiday season in lieu of regular comics, so here I present some holiday candy making. You may recall a similar post on On the Side After Five if you are a long time reader. That post clearly suffered from a lack of home photos, so I have plenty for you, today!

Supplies:

-3 plastic molds (I used Make'n Mold molds--2 break apart bar molds and 1 mold with stars and trees)
-parchment paper
-double boiler (microwave works fine with an appropriately sized bowl)
-candy melts (I used Make'n Mold melts this time: 2-12 oz bags of Milk, 1-12 oz bag of Dark, 1-12 oz bag of White, 1-12 oz bag of Red, and 1-12 oz bag of Green)
-Pretzels Pieces (I crushed these up myself.)
-Peppermint Pieces (I bought these at a craft store pre-crushed)
-Walnut Pieces
-treat tins and boxes



The directions for making are actually on the packages, but the basic idea is that you clean your molds, put in any mix-ins, melt the candy, spoon in the candy, chill for 10-20 minutes, tap/pop out of the molds, package. In my case there was also a step where I broke apart the bars. I experimented with a bunch of combinations of peppermint, pretzels, and walnuts. 

Here's a shot of my double-boiling in action:


I mixed one bag of Milk and one bag of White, here's the mid point of that process: 



Here's what my batches looked like after coming out of the molds:





You can see that the parchment paper started to get quite messy! 

Here's one batch after I broke up the bars:


Then, I assembled my tins and boxes:



I had a wonderful afternoon, and really enjoyed doing this. It was very easy. What I need to work on is pouring neatly and getting the amounts in the molds right. Now, what combinations to try next?!

--LJE




Sunday, December 21, 2014

Medieval Inspired Cutouts/Book of Lael CONTEST: Week 3

Don't forget that until 12/24/14, you can use the coupon code HOLIDAYSALE14 to receive $3 off your purchase at my etsy shop

The medieval inspired pseudo-hiatus continues! As previously noted I will be posting early medieval (in some cases LOOSELY) inspired works each Sunday through January 4th.

These works will also constitute another Book of Lael CONTEST! For each piece, send me a private message with your guess as to what work/related works inspired it. Whoever guesses the most correctly will win his or her choice of any one item from my etsy shop! I'll announce all of the inspirations on January 11th.

Note: Partial credit for any guess that amuses me!

--LJE

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Medieval Inspired Cutouts/Book of Lael CONTEST: Week 2

Don't forget that until 12/24/14, you can use the coupon code HOLIDAYSALE14 to receive $3 off your purchase at my etsy shop

The medieval inspired pseudo-hiatus continues! As previously noted I will be posting early medieval (in some cases LOOSELY) inspired works each Sunday through January 4th.

These works will also constitute another Book of Lael CONTEST! For each piece, send me a private message with your guess as to what work/related works inspired it. Whoever guesses the most correctly will win his or her choice of any one item from my etsy shop! I'll announce all of the inspirations on January 11th.

Note: Partial credit for any guess that amuses me!

--LJE







Sunday, December 7, 2014

Medieval Inspired Cutouts/Book of Lael CONTEST: Week 1

Don't forget that until 12/24/14, you can use the coupon code HOLIDAYSALE14 to receive $3 off your purchase at my etsy shop

Let's start off the medieval inspired pseudo-hiatus right! As previously noted I will be posting early medieval (in some cases LOOSELY) inspired works each Sunday through January 4th.

These works will also constitute another Book of Lael CONTEST! For each piece, send me a private message with your guess as to what work/related works inspired it. Whoever guesses the most correctly will win his or her choice of any one item from my etsy shop! I'll announce all of the inspirations on January 11th.

--LJE


Sunday, November 30, 2014

It's super easy to make a Gmail filter! OR How did I get on some of these lists?!

Don't forget that until 12/24/14, you can use the coupon code HOLIDAYSALE14 to receive $3 off your purchase at my etsy shop

As noted last week, starting next week I will be taking a pseudo-hiatus to work on holiday projects. I WILL be posting early medieval (in some cases LOOSELY) inspired works each Sunday starting December 7th and lasting through January 4th.

These works will also constitute another Book of Lael CONTEST! For each piece, send me a private message with your guess as to what work/related works inspired it. Whoever guesses the most correctly will win his or her choice of any one item from my etsy shop! I'll announce all of the inspirations on January 11th.

--LJE

PS. I just, as I posted this at 5pm got another email! Gah!

UPDATE: 4 more emails by 12/7/14!

UPDATE: 2 more emails by 12/13/14!

UPDATE: 2 more emails by 12/18/14!

UPDATE: 1 more email on 12/28/14!



Sunday, November 23, 2014

If you can't figure out what to get ME for Christmas... :wink wink:

Howdy, dear Readers! A few announcements for you.

First, as the holidays are upon us, be sure to check out my etsy shop for that special medievalist on your list! Until 12/24/14, use the coupon code HOLIDAYSALE14 to receive $3 off your purchase! 

Secondly, expect a regular (and seasonal) comic next Sunday, but after that I will be taking a pseudo-hiatus to work on holiday projects. I may or may not post some of those results. HOWEVER, I will be posting early medieval (in some cases LOOSELY) inspired works each Sunday starting December 7th and lasting through January 4th.

These works will also constitute another Book of Lael CONTEST! For each piece, send me a private message with your guess as to what work/related works inspired it. Whoever guesses the most correctly will win his or her choice of any one item from my etsy shop! If you know me, it probably won't be too hard because most of my old standbys are represented! I really wanted to make some pieces inspired by my medieval friends, but with some of the new techniques I've been trying out. I'll announce all of the inspirations on January 11th.

On to the comic!

--LJE




Sunday, November 2, 2014

An Arty, Halloweeny, and Yummy Weekend in NYC ( the three -Y's?)!!!

Okay, Ladies and Gents, I'll admit, this really isn't a comic, but it is a bunch of cool arty things I saw during my weekend in the Big Piece of Round Red Fruit (I suppose this will be sort of reminiscent of the posts on the short-lived On the Side after Five--perhaps I'll consider a revival). A new comic next week, most likely replete with self-deprecating hilarity and strange everyday encounters.

Right as I got off the bus, I was treated with this lovely art installation--plastic bags on metal fence. Couldn't find more info about this yet--let me know if you know more about it! 


When I arrived at my friend's Harlem apartment, I couldn't help but snap a quick shot of her old fireplace. I love noticing the details at friend's apartments.




I had a lovely brunch with dr. ks. (you'll remember her from lots of my comics, but if you missed it, see her guest comic from earlier this year), and I was in love with the bowl/plate (?) for my omelet. It's the kind of brunch experience that makes me want to get into clay. If you're in need of brunch in Harlem, I do recommend Lido




After brunch my medievalist companion and I ventured to the Morgan Library and Museum to see the Morgan Crusader Bible. The show runs through January 4, 2015, and is definitely worth the admission price. From the site: "Before the manuscript is rebound visitors will have the opportunity to view over forty of its miniatures, the work of six anonymous artists who were the artistic geniuses of their day." For those of you who are not manuscript nerds, this means that unlike when a book like this is normally on display and you can only see the open pages, "over forty of its miniatures" are on display! A very rare opportunity when a book gets taken apart and displayed before being put back together. The show itself was gorgeously designed and the displays very helpful for the non-initiate. Having never seen this manuscript in person before, I was floored to realize how much most reproductions of the folios flatten the pages and deny the gold leaf. I'm only sad I didn't get to see the folio which inspired one of my postcards. If you can't make it to NYC, or even if you can, the online exhibition is spectacular!


Later that evening dr. ks. and I stumbled across a wonderful pumpkin/Halloween display in the hallway across from The Bar Downstairs







Finally, my friend Steph and I had dinner at New Wonjo Restaurant before I caught my train. I regret not being able to get a better shot of this piece above our table, but it was crazy crowded. Absolutely love this piece of art. 





Okay, everyone, thanks for reading! See you next week.

--LJE





Sunday, October 26, 2014

Happy Wedding, Chris and Melissa!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of the creative and talented Chris LaMartina and the creative and talented Melissa O'Brien. Congratulations, you guys!

--LJE


Sunday, September 21, 2014

If you are gonna make a dumb comment at least offer to help. OR At least he didn't say, "There's an app for that."

Howdy, Dear Readers,

Scroll down for today's comic, but first, I'm excited to announce two new items in my etsy shop! Two beaded cross necklaces! Check 'em out! 

The Theodosia:

















The Constantia










And on to the comic! 

--LJE




Sunday, September 14, 2014

Maybe I'd have better results if I actually drank some of the wine I've been collecting...

Handbarrow, harpooner, chaperone, harbinger, hairband—all words OpenOffice thought were the correct spelling of habanero...whatever that means...

Comic! 

--LJE 


Monday, September 1, 2014

I guess I do miss Conky! He got me through some tough times!

Dearest Readers,

I'm changing it up this week! I wanted to work on some other art projects this week, it is Labor Day, and it has been too long since I got medieval, so I decided to do some drawing and sketching.

So, what medieval was I to draw? I kept thinking about what my dad said about Conky (see the bottom of last week's post.)

Conky is my logo, but he gets no play! 













See his first appearance in my comic here where he looked like this:














His second time, he looked like this:















He cleaned up a bit for our date in his last character driven appearance: 















The real medieval art that inspired him is the tympanum at Conques

Today I drew him in pencil, 




















in brush pen,




















and digitally.




















Then, I thought, hey, if he becomes a recurring character, he may need some clothes, and then I thought, maybe his clothes could promote something really cool happening in Baltimore! Check out the Thunder Grunt Podcast Network! And while you're at it, like the network on the Facebooks




















I also decided to draw a bit from this lovely piece: a 13th century tempera on wood painting: Scenes from the Life of Christ: Arrest of Christ, Christ in Limbo; Descent from the Cross, Preparation of Christ’s Body for His Entombment at the MET. The title is off, but if you want this as a poster, it can be yours!

I figured this guy could be a buddy (or pet?) of Conky's, so I drew him in pencil,



















in marker, 


















and digitally. 



















When I went to draw him digitally, I decided to keep the columns from the original image as with the pencil drawing and couldn't help but think the drawing would make a good insanely strange medieval ad. Now, I just hope the Thunder Grunter's don't mind! 


























See you next week, and Happy Labor Day,
LJE