Crepe Art - A New Creative Outlet!

Yesterday I was making my famous pancakes, which I haven't made for a while.  They are pretty thin and are really closer to crepes than the general idea of "pancakes", but my mum has always said she loves them.  As I was cooking, I pondered the physical properties of these crepes as they hardened in the pan, and decided to experiment a little.

And so I ventured to make a "hollow" crepe, just to see what it would look like.  Well, it was a lot of fun!  When I was finished, I looked for something familiar in the shape, and saw a big bee.  So I named this creation "Bumblebee", and thus "Crepe Art" was born!

Well that was a lot of fun!  I decided to try to make some other shapes.  I didn't start with an end in mind, but merely had fun "playing" with the batter after pouring it in, and often midway decided what image I was going for, kind of like Mr. Squiggle.  

Here are the rest of my breakfast creations:

"Funky Spider Web"

"Plane With Paratroopers"

I wasn't really sure what to call this one...but decided on 

"Indiana Jones Wrestles Giant Squid Thingy"

Although I don't always realise it, I can be pretty creative sometimes, and I also love any kind of novelty, so I really had a lot of fun!  Pretty sure next time I'm making crepes I will have another go at "Crepe Art" to expand my repertoire.  What can I say, my kids are gonna love me :)

Why don't you have a go next time you're making crepes?

Maz Meme Gallery 2

Here is some more of my recent meme creations on display for your viewing pleasure :)  You can either scroll down and read the memes first, or you can read the description for each first - it's up to you!

The following meme is based on true events.  You know when you meet someone (especially of the opposite sex) and then the same day you search for and find their Facebook page and take a look through their info and photos?  Well as I found myself doing this, this meme formed in my mind:

Recently I was delighted to get a "meme request" from one of my friends, who said she loved the "one does not simply" memes and hoped I'd create one of those soon.  So I thought, "challenge accepted" ;)  I did some research into the meme and it's best uses, and then in trying to think of some way of using it, I came up with this one, about the fine art of meme creation: 

Then I did come up with something that I found funny.  I was going to include "In Hobart YSA" in the top line, but thought I'd keep the meme generic and simply explain it's origin here.  You see, back home I was part of a community known as Hobart Stake "Young Single Adults" or "YSA".  I'm not sure what it's like in different YSA groups around Australia or the world, but being a fairly small group, where everyone feels they already know each other, there's not as much dating, or invitations for dates, as some would like.  It's a point of much frustration for some.  And then there's the reaction sometimes that a date is a HUGE thing and you can't go on a date unless you're already in love with someone.   Because of such stigma, it sometimes seems one must first do a lot of elaborate behind-the-scenes planning before even contemplating asking someone on a date.  

Basically all this makes dating hard, and I felt leads to this kind of mentality within the group:

And lastly, this one is again based on true events!  It's a Mormon specific joke.   We have what's known as "visiting teachers" assigned to all women in the church, basically it means we look out for each other and no one gets forgotten, but it's usually carried out in the form of monthly visits to one's home.  Well, I try to keep my home tidy, but sometimes it gets a little...out of hand.  But, thankfully to my faithful visiting teacher, I'm always guaranteed to clean it up thoroughly at least one a month before she comes to visit!  Which lead to the creation of this meme:

Create A Meme? Challenge Accepted.

An Internet meme (pron.: /ˈmiːm/ meem) is a concept that spreads from person to person via the Internet.

I recently started to enjoy the current meme culture on social media.  You know, pictures which resurface again and again with various funny captions.  Someone I know even got "memed" by his friends, using one of his photos as a joke.  And it was about then that I thought, "Heeeeeey, maybe I can make a meme!"

And so my project began.  I'll admit, the juices didn't flow immediately.  But I was determined I would create a meme, and it would go down in history!  

I downloaded a free meme app on my iPod touch, called "MemeCreator", and looked through the various photos and their usage style.  Eventually, I decided to go with the "Grumpy Cat" one, as that would probably be the easiest.  So for a few days I thought and I thought and finally...I got it!  The light-bulb moment.  

And thus, my first meme was born:

Okay, a little mean.  But hey!  It's grumpy cat!  He's always mean.

Well, I got such a buzz from creating my first meme, I decided to make another, and soon found myself on a roll.  One of my favourite memes is a "Condescending Willy Wonka" saying "Oh, you wear a Northface jacket?  You must go on so many adventures."  Not sure why, but I find it really funny!  You know, people who buy that expensive pro-bushwalker jacket, just to wear around town.  Touché, Willy Wonka!  

So here's my own Willy Wonka meme:

Yeah, I know.  Mean again!  So I decided to try something more neutral, and went with Philosoraptor:

Discovering this new medium for creativity has been really fun, and I will probably make some more in the future.  There's many great templates to choose from, such as "Success Kid", "Koala Can't Believe It", "First World Problems", or "One Does Not Simply".  

(These examples are from the internet and not me...but I like them!)

Now I'm excited to pin my memes to Pinterest and see if they go viral ;)

Oh, and in trying to find a good example of "Challenge Accepted" I ended up coming up with my own just now:

Creativity

I'm always inspired by this clip about our divine ability to create.  Even if we don't consider ourselves to be artistic, as President Uchtdorf says, we can all create in some way.  We can all contribute something to make life even more beautiful.

As I was reflecting on this recently, I came to realise that although we can create, we are somewhat limited in this.  Think of some of the greatest artistic masterpieces you've seen.  Chances are they are based on someone else's genius - that of the Great Creator.  For example, someone may create a beautiful painting of a field of flowers.  No matter how well the detail of each petal is captured, its true beauty comes from the original creation of our Maker.  

The same can be said for portraits, landscapes, and many sculptures and figures.  Even abstract art is often revered for the familiar things which it portrays.  When a piece of art does not reflect a familiar shape or pattern, it is often rejected by many as "nothing" or "pointless".  Being imperfect and inexperienced, we are limited largely to creating something based on the beauty that is already around us.

While we should still continue to develop the qualities we have inherited from our Heavenly Father, we can also be humble as we recognise and be inspired by Him as the Great Creative Being, and admire the 'art' he has created all around us in this beautiful world.

Waiting vs Creating

I had an epiphany about life this week.  I call it “waiting vs creating.”  I realised I do a lot of waiting in life, especially for entertainment or mental stimulation.  What do I mean?  Well another good word could be “checking.”  Check facebook.  Check my emal.   Check my blog.    Check the ABC news website at work between calls.  Check it again in case there’s something new as I’m already bored again. 

But the other day I decided to try something new at work.  A few days earlier I had decided I wanted to write a song with some thoughts and advice to a friend.  So at work I started writing the lyrics between answering calls.  And you know what?  It was awesome!  Not just my song (but really, the lyrics are pretty awesome), but my mind felt renewed, refreshed, entertained and invigorated.

SO with my spare time at home, instead of waiting until dinner or until it's time to go out to whatever event, I could perhaps edit some photography.  Paint a picture.  Learn a song on guitar.  Do a charcoal drawing.  Do some sewing.  Write a letter to someone serving a mission, or to my visiting teaching sisters.  Write some poetry or a song.  Do some more of my cross-stitch.  Plan my future and set some new goals.  Look up a new recipe.  Call a friend.  Things to do with creating something that is not already there.  Things I really want to do “when I have time.” 

So I’m now trying to limit the amount of “checking” or “waiting” when I could do something else.  Something creative.  Something new.

On the subject of creating, here’s a clip I love based on the words of Elder Dieter F. Uchdorf of the quorum of the twelve apostles.  Hope you enjoy and think of ways that you can create.

Tripodious Maximus

Hello Boxing Day sales, and helloooooo new tripod!

I've been looking for a tripod for a while, but haven't been sure about what features I needed and what price I was willing to pay.  But when I went shopping today I found this one at a good price, it's the height that I want it (which is my eye level!) and is easy to use and adjustable.  It even came with a carry bag!  Excitement.  I decided it needed a name and have thus dubbed it Tripodious Maximus.  Welcome aboard to the Maz Photography team!

Why do I need a tripod you ask?  I guess the main reason is night shots - when you need to take a photo without the flash and with a longer exposure and you need the camera to be perfectly still.   There have been many times when I have spotted the perfect photo opportunity, only to have been unable to capture it properly.  So I'm looking forward to lots of good times with the tripod.  Keep an eye on my photography blog to see the developments.

Somewhere over the rainbow

Nice t-shirt huh? Well actually, I made it myself.  Okay, not the tshirt, just the design on the front.  Cool eh?  But you know what, fashion design is a lot harder than I thought.  I probably won't quit my day job.  I had cut out three different rainbow shapes and sizes before I decided I had one that would work.  Funny how something looks great on the flat t-shirt, but once I tried it on I found the 3-dimensional figure changed things completely.  I actually pinned the rough shape of the third rainbow while I was wearing the t-shirt!  So once I was happy with it I hand sewed the shapes on, whilst watching "How to Train Your Dragon" for the second time.  Finally at 1 am I was done.

Here's a close-up of my amazing skills.  Does the cloud fabric look familiar?  Yep, it was left over from the cushion I made recently.  So why would I put so much effort into making this amazing shirt?

To wear at the rainbow themed Young Single Adult dance of course! Do you think I looked bright enough?