BubbleDragon

Ok, so if you look at the second bar at the top of your page, you should see a link called "my assistant." Clicking on that opens up a small overlay popup with tabs, and you can click on the "New Posts" tab to display recent posts. I'm not sure if it changes based on "read/unread" status. There is also a link (It just showed up now for me - perhaps Joanna is tweaking things a bit, or maybe I activated it somehow) right next to it called "View New Posts" that does exactly what you're asking for.

I generally listen to punk and ska - the type of ska I listen to is kind of like punk, but with horns and a reggae upbeat. Some of my favorite bands are Streetlight Manifesto, Bomb the Music Industry, Mad Caddies, NoFX, Vandals, etc. I'll also admit to liking emo on occasion, but it's not a "staple."

Magazines seem to be notorious for this. There is a certain store I know of that consistently gets complaints that they use the mailing address and credit card you use to purchase items and sell it to magazine companies. Apparently by signing the slip, you're "giving them permission" to sell you a subscription as well.

I have just the slip cover case that came with my blackberry. It's got a chip in it that the phone senses when it's in there - so it can have different ringers or whatever when it's in the case. I've been thinking of deconstructing my slip case to get that chip out and making one with a belt clip perhaps.

Ok, so this isn't the greatest picture right now, but it'll do. My scanners buried somewhere. The straightish pieces were scraps that the folks at Tandy gave me (and a whole shopping bag more) to practice on. That's actually been very nice. I have another coaster somewhere, but I can't find it. That was the first thing I did - just kinda followed the directions. The wallet outer we did today. The piece of leather wasn't great - had like a grease stain on it in some areas. But I'm pretty happy with the way it all came out. We're learning to dye next week. So without further adieu, (Hope that works! I'll edit if not!)

I lost my job in December - 2 weeks before Christmas. I was a programmer. I have actually been finding myself inspired by the economic downturn and motivated to pull myself up by the bootstraps. I'm a creative type, and see opportunities everywhere, now that I look. Knitting isn't really efficient enough to pay the bills, but I could teach knitting at local shops. I could create patterns and sell them on the internet. I'm also putting my programming skills to work, and branching out into possibly an "iPhone" type app that I could go independent with. Almost everywhere needs a website now, almost everywhere needs some IT work now and then - hey, I can do that. I hear you on the depression front. It's not like someone can tell you to snap out of it and you're magically better. I admit to not being happy at my former job, but I'd convinced myself it was a good place for me, so it was all a shock. And the market is just so saturated with out of work programmers (and everything else) that I haven't heard back from a single application. But things aren't too bad, and at least I'm not driving 45 miles each way, eh? Plus, I've been dealing with some health issues that it's nice to relax and focus on getting taken care of now. In any case, I'm new to the forum and haven't gotten the opportunity to talk to you much, but in my humble opinion, you should by any means necessary keep your tools. Handiwork is a fantastic release, and I imagine any psychologist will tell you the same. And you *will* improve, just like anything else, it takes time. Dive in and don't look back. You've got a ton going for you right now. Get out there and do something novel, and people will come!

So I just got home from my second class with my parents at Tandy, and I must say I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I like making cuts the best - it just seems to flow so neatly. We're working on a little wallet - I think I may have accidentally cut too deep, but it's not too bad. I'm still pretty bad at this pear shading. My dad is very into gun holsters and knife cases of all sorts right now, but generally that's not my thing. I told him I'd make a glue gun holster, or a power drill holster. Lol. My end goal is to make myself a really nice belt, because I don't own one at all. Weird, eh? In any case, I thought I'd drop a note here. What a nice hobby. When I get a chance, I'll try to get some images of my practice bits and such.

I LOVE this wallet. Totally something I would pick up for myself. Excellent design work - you really thought about practicality, too.

This is really fantastic. Thanks for posting it!

It seems to me, that the envelopes are white when you've read all of the posts in the thread. They are green when there are new posts. When an envelope has a black arrow, it means you have contributed to the topic. So yes, after you've posted to a thread, the envelope will probably be white with an arrow. Tomorrow after someone else posts, it'll change colors, but still have the arrow. Clear as mud?

You might browse around the Etsy forums to look for info on this. I think the biggest thing I've read about is to use a light box. I've not built one yet, but there are tons of tutorials.

I'm active in other crafting communities that are riled up about this, too. Can I ask if anyone here makes children's items? What kind? I mean, it didn't even cross my mind, but I suppose kids need boots, too!!

In either case, hello. I'm a generic crafter with too many hobbies. Sewing, embroidery and knitting generally take up most of my time. But my dad got into leatherworking and asked me to take a class with him, and, well, I find leather irresistible. I love the way it gets worn with age and use, and the smell. So of course I agreed. Anyhow. I like a lot of what I've seen, and I really would like to take some of the traditional stylings and apply them to modern imagery and such. I've got a lot of ideas and other influences that I think would be neat mashed up. I got a kit and signed up for classes with my dad at the local Tandy, so I'm definitely looking forward to it. I have gotten a case of "afraid to start," though - does anyone get that? I do it all the time, afraid to cut into my "good" fabric, etc. So I suppose that's a hurdle to get over. I guess I'll get out those coasters and start tapping, eh? I'm looking forward to learning and seeing if this particular craft suits me. <---- I love this banana guy, too.