kent rogowski, originally uploaded by …the who cares girl….

Artist Kent Rogowski combines 40+ puzzles into abstract art. See more of his work here.

1) It works best on dark images, to make an image darker go to colors/adjust/brightness contrast, and set the brightness to -20 and the contrast to 20. Darken it up over and over until it’s really dark and moody and intense.

2) Turn your image to black and white by going colors/greyscale.

3) Go to colors/adjust/curves and make sure RGB is selected in the dropdown box and then make the curve look something like this:

4) Now the image should be a real “white” black and white, and you want to add contrast by opening colors/adjust/brightness again and making sure it stayed on brightness -20 and contrast 20, and then use that setting maybe 3 or 4 or 5 times until you get the grainy high key result you want.

We’ve been watching this (canceled) show called “Pushing Daisies”, and Anna Friel’s character has the most adorable wardrobe–all retro-inspired little low-cut dresses with a nipped waist and full skirt and matching cardigans, all bright colors. I was so inspired I bought myself a new push-up bra from Victoria’s Secret and bought a pattern for a similar dress yesterday at the fabric store.

Unfortunately, I was dismayed to discover a shocking lack of grapes fabric, so I ordered 5 yards for 20 bucks on eBay (that’s a very good deal). Last evening, who should come to our doorstep but the eBay seller with the fabric! Apparently she lives right down the street from us! That’s never happened to me before, I thought it was great. Now I can start making my first retro 50′s style dress with grapes fabric today. Yes!

According to the Boy’s mom the hotel had been “rundown” for a while, but someone had (wisely) pumped a bunch of money into renovations. It’s stunning.

Not that I am normally interested in paintings of ships, but this painting caught my eye, in kind of a creepy way. I kept expecting the waves to start moving–like in “Barton Fink”.

I also kept thinking of “The Shining”, but that’s just because I have a morbid imagination.

The Boy’s mother took me to the Peacock Room, which is wallpapered with black and gold and featured stained glass all over the place.

I love stained glass.

The Boy’s grandparents regaled us with stories from the Old Days, like how the ceilings in the main foyer used to be blacked over during war times and how they use to meet up frequently at the hotel and then the Boy’s grandfather would run five blocks to catch the midnight train. How sweet!

I’m also obsessed with chandeliers (of course).

Okay, I’ve had Katy Perry’s song “I Kissed a Girl” in my head now for about four days and I’m starting to get a little resentful. Briefly “There’s a Hole in the Bucket” broke through yesterday while I was doing the dishes, but since the only words I know are “there’s a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza…” it didn’t last long. Dammit!

First obtain your wood–plywood, that is! A local hardware store is sure to have it.

Then you’ll probably want to paint the plywood…

…or even wallpaper will do. I imagine something Victorian, maybe flocked.

Add your hole, and voila! Fun! Fun! Fun!*

* The Boy strongly discouraged me from posting this entry, but that didn’t stop me!

…makes me wild with desire. Kissyfur e-mailed me this; we love our mid-90s fashion. Naomi, Kate, Helena, Amber, yes yes yes!!!

Okay, ready for “who’s your favorite character?” regarding a t.v. show that will not be named (mostly because I’m embarrassed, but I blame Rich over at fourfour who is always getting me to watch awful things I normally wouldn’t). Ronnie is too emotional and violent, so he’s out. The Situation is hideously ugly and awfully wrinkled for someone in his late 20s (although he does cook, that’s a plus). Pauly D. is slimy, just slimy, no way, so that leaves Vinny, who I actually think is quite cute. I enjoy the fact that he doesn’t prescribe to GTL (gym, tanning, laundry) and the recent claim by Snooks that he’s as “big as a watermelon” doesn’t hurt either.

As for the women? Pfft. Snooki is the easy winner. She backflipped and hair poufed her way into my black little heart. And how cute is it that they had to put a stool on the ground so she could see over the gelato counter? I love midgets.

How about you, blogreader? Who’s your favorite? (if you have no idea of what I’m talking about, GOOD, keep it that way)

…happy Friday, blog logs!

I woke up to BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK and there is a mysterious brown stain near the back door. The dogs aren’t talking. Those bitches! I have now obtained a 2000 piece puzzle, but find that I’m not that interested in working on it. Well, let’s face it, without the A**erall, there isn’t any mania, it’s just a bunch of cardboard bits gathering dust on the kitchen table (that we never actually use for eating on).

Today’s goals are to call my mother, because I haven’t spoken to her in a WHOLE WEEK and no doubt she assumes I’m lying in a trash heap in Skid Row with a needle sticking out of my arm and dried vomit in my hair. Also to make butterscotch chip cookies. Jealous?

The check from the painting buyer still hasn’t arrived, and now his e-mails are becoming slightly threatening, and in all caps: “YOU MUST HAVE RECEIVED THE CHECK BY NOW. I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!” Like it’s somehow my fault I haven’t received his phony check? Hmph. How quickly the excitement dies down, ’round here.

I have, however, received an even phonier check in the mail for 3,200 dollars, which the Boy and I have researched on the interwebs and have deemed fake, even though neither one of us are really sure. I mean damn, they’re getting good at scams these days. If I was a little more naive I’d take it right down to the bank and deposit it, but I’m not. Um….right? Heh eh sigh.

Tomorrow we are driving over to Spokane to visit the Boy’s parents, most likely returning Monday evening. Today I have lots of boring cleaning to do. And I woke up after…noon today, which I’m a little embarrassed about. Couldn’t be helped–I stayed up until 3 last night working on the current puzzle…

…my very first 1500 piece, which I ordered online. Yes, I finally ordered a puzzle online…you know this development can only lead to more trouble. Oh well.