It’s ridiculously fun and slightly addictive. I won’t say that it’s easy but it’s definitely not difficult if you know what you’re doing and have the appropriate software for converting video files. I purchased Wondershare Pro, and—though it has a tendency to hang up if I try to do some other process before the file finishes converting—I’m pretty satisfied with the variety of video formats it allows me to convert video files into.

After saving the video as .mov files, I would import them to iMovie HD for further editing and to add fade in/out effects at the beginning and end of the clips. Then I save it as another .mov file.

I’ve had Adobe CS2 for about 5 years, and I never before had a need to use ImageReady. That program is a like a .gif factory and I never even realized.

One of my favorite TV shows is Leverage, and I’m working on a fandom project where illustrative gifs would be quite appropriate.

Hardison: Where’re you going?
Parker: Let’s see how hard you look.

Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull – May 1st and 2nd, 2010 from Sean Stiegemeier on Vimeo.

A beautiful disaster

E’lari has a regal and aloof air that I think comes across nicely. She has a piercing in her left nostril. I’ve added the scarf that she uses to cover her head.

Seiahn’s look has been really hard to pin down, but I think I will stick with this version of his features. His hair used to be just wavy, but now it’s a curlier texture.

Tara pretty much looks the same. I’ve given her a thinner frame, much like Zoe Saldana.

Original character . Natalie Nouveau . Photoshop CS2

I’d like to do 2 more pieces to complement this.

Here’s another piece of fan art I did specifically for a header contest:

The Big Bang Theory . Penny, Sheldon Cooper . pencil

I started drawing Friday afternoon. I didn’t have a concrete idea, but knew that I wanted to make some sort of bookmark type things. After getting off work that night, I went to Dress Barn, because I still needed a dress for the occasion. Then I walked over to Michael’s, which is conveniently located in the same shopping center, to see what sort of supplies was available and hopefully get more inspiration. I bought three rolls of ribbon and a special hole puncher.

After I got home, I finished the drawings and scanned the art. Then I woke up early (for me) Saturday morning and printed out and assembled them. My mother helped with lacing the ribbon through them.

The favors were a hit, and I’m seriously considering making a variation of them available for sale at my Esty store.

I honestly haven’t “constructed” anything this involved since I got out of college, and it really felt good to do something like this.

Note: The first bookmark on the left was inspired by recent photos I had seen of Mae, aka Natural Chica.

The Big Bang Theory . Sheldon/Penny . pencil, Photoshop CS2

I decided to take another crack at the 365 Project. I did a form of it once in 2007. That time around it was all self portrait which…got really old fast. The new project just requires I take a photo everyday, and I find that the photos are much more interesting once I’m not the subject of every one.

The The Guild was hilarious, geeky, and quirky. Felicia Day is completely adorable and quirky and I fully see the appeal of her after watching the her internet series. She didn’t make as much of an impression on me in Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-long Blog, though I enjoyed the musical overall.

Dear Zachary was completely opposite, and I’m still recovering from the emotional blow left on my psyche by that movie. And I knew about heartwrenching subject matter going in, having remained unspoiled of the gut-punching twist near the end.

And then there is Penelope, which I finished viewing only a few minutes ago. The movie garnered mix removed, but overall the consensus is on the positive side. I, however, LOVED IT! For some reason, I have a ridiculous, seemingly unfounded affection for James McAvoy, even though I’ve only seen him in one other movie before this one. The practically flawless American accent he put on for his role in Penelope did nothing to dissuade my opinion.

Or it could just be his eyes and touseled dark hair:

tbc.

It doesn’t snow here very often, the last time being 1996. Even then, it was the wet, sleet/slushy kind, not the white fluffy stuff we got this past Friday.