Drop Down Menus in Dreamweaver

So I've been working on the website for work, and Dreamweaver CS4 is kicking my butt... Most of the tutorials I've found so far have been for people who have no idea how to play with settings. My advice to them: have no fear- there is always Edit:Undo.

:) I need to remember this guy's tutorials!

Open Mic Night

I took this picture of a good friend of mine playing at a local pub. I couldn't resist but to draw the image in charcoal.

Halloween ideas

With Halloween upon us, I've been trying to think of some fantastic last minute ideas for a costume. I'm willing to put some time into it, and I've scrounged up a few really awesome tutorials.

So this guy's series of tutorials is pretty amazing. He did everything from the 7 deadly sins, to a broken doll, to Heatherette 24-hour party people, to the unzipped look! I wish this would look as sweet on me, but I have a feeling the glasses will take away from the look.... :D

Then I found this video with the full costume tutorial from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. As always, the Mad Hatter is a favorite character of mine, but all of the store bought hats always looked so cheesy... This video was so inspiring for something that looks a little more authentic. One just has to excuse the creator's terrible acting skills... And maybe take a make up lesson from the guy above. But the costume is AMAZING!!!! :D

So part of me wants to go the more beautiful and delicate route. I found this mermaid makeup tutorial (this is the 4th part, but I thought it would be best to see how she did the scales.. So cool!

Photography and jumbled thoughts

This town is sucking me in. I love it. I haven't been able to sit down and do as much art as I want, but I've been thinking about setting up my easel in my room to paint. It's a medium I've never been great at, and I could use the challenge.

I'm still inspired, everything around me warms that need for beauty in life. I still wish my life were a musical, but that's such a silly desire. So instead, I sit and listen to Moby's "Alone." Something about the ambient melody repeating for 10 minutes, with no words, is soothing to my jumbled brain. Maybe it's a serenity I can pretend to have...

The best music to me is what my friends play. I have a few friends who are local musicians, and a few more that are still budding. This night, a close friend tried his hand on stage, and rocked it. It was more about overcoming his nervous ways, and knowing that his love for the music was way more important than what everyone else thought. I was irritated a bit though, because this friend looked looked to another companion of ours for inspiration, guidance, and courage. All said companion had to comment about this show was "nice guitar." Only because it was his.

Actions speak louder than words, but words echo

I wonder if I wrote a book, would anyone ever read it? I think it would be a book about love. But in my case, it would be a tragic comedy. I guess more of a comedy. Maybe I would call it "Confessions of a Heartbreaker." I think so much of it would have to come from real life, I would never be able to reveal those who would star in it. Mostly because most of them have no idea how I really feel about their impressions left on me.

Recycleable home decor ideas

I'm in the process of possibly buying a house.  I'm having all of these great ideas on what I can do to make it homey, fun, yet eco friendly!  I'm still trying to figure out my design style, and I think (if I go with the house I'm thinking about) I'll have a lot of fun with the back yard!  I want at least one area of the house to really be a fun area to hang out in, play board games, share a few cocktails, and be relaxed!  Back patio?  Tiki torches?  Charcoal grill?  Yes sirrrreeee!!!

Here are a few ideas I've run across on the internet that are currently inspiring me!  

Snow board bench:

I'm an avid skiier, and would love to have something to remind me of winter mountains all year long, even in the hottest summer months!

I found some used/ retired snowboards for $20 each on ebay.  I figure I can attach some L brackets, figure out something for the legs, and tada!  awesome bench!!!  (I also saw a sweet picture of a skateboard mounted on the wall as a shelf!!)  

Graffiti table:

So of course mine would look way more sweet than this one does, but here's the basic idea:  I'd find a old coffee table somewhere, and sand down the surface, paint it very basic in some way (or perhaps just stain it) and then have a box of paintpens, sharpies, and whatever else guests would like to use to make thier mark on the table!  Even if I started with a basic painted on design so it doesnt look so boring at first, I think this could be a really fun way for my friends/ guests to have the chance to "make thier mark."

Make my own hammock!!!

So I've always wanted my own hammock.  Growing up I always asked my dad for one, and he never wanted one as much as I did.  All over the internet are free instructions on how to make your own hammock.  I think that would be pretty awesome if I could pull it off! I mean I did just buy a new sewing machine!!!  :)  

That's all I've got for now.  Wish me luck :)

Money Clips galore!!

So I've been a little behind on the crafting ever since I got my new job (by the way, I love it love it!!!  :))

To get ready for the Heart of Virginia Festival coming up in May, I have been doing a little here and there.  My latest creation: money clip series!!!  I've done a few, and fallen in love with them!  There's something about those little take-aways that I love- and they're so incredibly functional!  Not to mention fashionable!  

Even though I have no image ::yet:: to go with it, I did make one for a wonderful guy that featured 8-bit Link holding up the Triforce.  Hehe- that's right.  I'm a nerd.  But I own it.  So it's cool.  :)  

If you have any interest in aquiring one, check out my website!  www.kbratcher.com

Or, just go straight to my store!  www.kbratcher.etsy.com