It's Been a Long Time

It's been so long since I last blogged that I am not certain where to begin. I guess that the best way to go about this is to play catch-up. I've made a lot of things, so look forward to a variety of DIY posts to come. 


You've probably already noticed that things have become a bit cleaner in terms of design. I felt the need for a change. There are still edits planned for the design, so check back often.


—R M Joye

Nail Biting

Yes, reader, I am one of those people. I don't "bite" my nails so much as run them beneath my front teeth. However, even if I do not bite/chew/strain my nails, they still break. It's an annoying habit, but one that I feel confident in stopping. You see, whenever I become completely engrossed in a project, my fingernails become victims. My latest project? Well, to be honest, they are projects:

NaNoWriMo 2011! I really enjoyed participating in this last year, so I am getting a head start on outlines and development this year.

Etsy! I have technically had a shop for almost one year, but I have yet to sell anything. Reason? I'm slow. I want to sell crocheted goodies. Nothing very expensive, but small things you can wear or use.

Baking! If you read my blog, you see the results of my baking. 

So, not a huge list, but three things that are taking up my time. This is in addition to me playing video games, watching Netflix, reading, and dancing (in private far away from anyone). However, I feel that I need to give my loyal readers a sort of update as to why I haven't been posting a lot. As always, there is more to come.

New Newfoundjoye

I feel obligated to blog about my blog's new look. I thought that the previous look was a bit stale, so I refreshed it! It's part of my entire refreshing attitude that has sprung up this year. Look forward to new updates as well as ongoing series such as my BOM Cupcake Challenge. Thank you for reading and I appreciate your comments!

Better late than never

The year 2011 has been around for ten days and I've just resumed blogging. There are many excuses I could offer to you (I'm crocheting a tablecloth, I have been working on the Sketchbook Project, I'm playing video games...), but nothing changes the fact that I don't always have the time to blog. So, my sincerest apologies for the lack of posts, but I'm back in action. Also, I believe that I kept last year's resolution: to blog. 

I posted all kinds of things in 2010 and many of them will continue this year—movie reviews, my BOM: Cupcake Challenge, Thursday Traffic, etc. Some items will return with more dedication like DIY projects. So, while it might be a late start, Newfoundjoye is still around.

After a long moment of nothingness, I plan on adding more about books to Newfoundrhapsody. I have a library of reading materials to share and dissect, so if you've wondered why it's never updated, you can actually see some posts in a few days.

Instead of Threadless in my sidebar, you can expect to see Society6. I like the way it works much better. You can purchase prints or clothes, so check out my studios if you have the time.

I look forward to posting more in 2011. Please, return for more.

A few of my favorite things (part quatre)

Making a comeback right at the end of 2010 are my favorite things. This is part four (in case you don't read French) and I am so thrilled to be bringing up things I like. I started this last year in November and I plan to do a few more during the month of December. Go ahead and hit the jump. Let's not waste time.

What the Hunch? I've been interviewed!

For the first time ever, I have been interviewed. Read the full scoop on Hunch!

Image of yours truly by yours truly

I don't want my MTV

You know how when you were younger, you'd always say to yourself, "I'll never be like my parents" or something along those lines? Well, even if you haven't, I usually thought that when I was in trouble or I wanted to do something and was told no. However, one thing I never agreed with my mother on was music.

When you are young, you fall in love with certain bands and it seems that your parents are bound to hate them due to some genetic trait that causes them to dislike everything you find interesting. My mom would always say that what we listened to wasn't music. She would go on an on about "real music" which was just oldies to me at the time. Now, I have an appreciation for the oldies and my childhood favorites after watching the VMAs on MTV.

First of all, as you all know, MTV is no longer "music television." It's just MTV. It has become a haven for reality television and digitally remastered musicians. There are still good artists out there, but they aren't that mainstream. While I switched between the VMAs and the football game last night, all I heard from the stage performances was noise. There wasn't much else. So when did I become my mother? Why did I start disliking this music? Three reasons:

Music isn't about lyrics anymore—Have you listened to some of the things these artists talk about? I hate listening to the radio because the songs are so pointless. That is if I can even make out what they are saying.

Music isn't about music anymore—The digital beats are sometimes catchy and creative, but more often than not, they are sampled parts of other artist's songs. Talk about being unoriginal. Even worse is that people don't have to be good singers anymore because they digitally enhance their voices.

Music isn't about anything anymore—Music used to mean something to artists. They were expressing ideas or supporting causes. Nowadays, they are just talking about any old thing. The meaning has changed and I don't like the direction it's gone in.

I wont judge you if you like today's music. I just don't feel like I hear much that is worth listening to. What are your thoughts?

Image via Multnomah County Library

Spool of thread

Yes, readers, I am now on threadless. I would love to create something awesome that you'd like to spend your money on—you know, if you were looking to spend money anyway? Check back every few days so you can vote on my submission, Circuit-tree (if it is approved). The little widget in my sidebar makes it easy for you to keep track.

Thanks for your support!

Image via yours truly

Award-winning

Time has gotten away with me and I completely forgot to tell all of you readers out there that Newfoundjoye won an award! (WOOT WOOT!) I feel honored to receive "A Blog with Substance" award. It was a complete surprise, and it comes with a few rules:

1. Thank the person that gave it to you.
B, you rock! Vielen Dank!

2. Sum up my blogging philosophy, motivation and experience in just five words.
Making my opinion heard worldwide (awesome five word summary, eh?–oops, does this mess it up?)

3. Pass this award on to other blogs that you feel have substance.
There are so many, but I'll keep it to three (in no particular order):

• Tin Trunk — Really creative; I love the old ads and such.
  
• Chris Dixon's blog — Inspiring and informational; I always learn something from his entries.
  
• The Average Tween — Hannah's blog is awesome! She's got a great style.
  

¡Cinco De Mayo!

I hope that you have fun celebrating Cinco de Mayo! Drink responsibly and dance.

Image via yours truly

Snow days

You know, not every country is fortunate to have snow days. In the warmer climates, snow is rarely, if ever, experienced. In areas known for snow, you will be going to school no matter what. They know how to handle the weather and they are not going to give you a day off unless it is truly impossible to open your front door.

However, a true snow day was always something to look forward to. I remember my first epic snow day. It was the winter of 1996 and my oldest sister's bus had already taken her to school. My older sister and I were waiting for our respective buses in the bitter cold with the other neighborhood kids. I can exaggerate and say that my eyelashes were covered in icicles and I was frozen solid like a statue, but I'll just let you all decide how cold it was. Either way, my oldest sister's bus returned and it was announced—because kids always announce things by yelling to the masses—that school was CLOSED. In a very cinematic moment, we all jumped and shouted and slid back to our house (because our house was cool like that) and hung out. We watched TV. Played games. Ate snacks. It was the ultimate snow day.

Snow days are a big deal. There was even a Nickelodeon film called Snow Day made in honor of the exciting and always awaited day. Even though you have to make the day up later on in the year, that single day that you don't have to go to school is so worth it.

Image via randomSpace

Because of Martha...

Because of Martha (BOM), I learn lots of helpful hints to use around the house. Since there is really no reason for me to keep these insightful tips to myself, I will spread them to you via my blog. However, my first BOM post will not happen until this weekend, so look forward to that!

A few of my favorite things (part deux)

If you have not read my first installment of my favorite things, you might want to check it out here. Otherwise, I will continue my list of favorites for your viewing pleasure. The basic idea is that I will be mentioning some things that I like more than others. So, hit the jump to find out more.

And all the trimmings

As today is Thanksgiving, NewfoundJoye wishes you a very happy day filled with joy, laughter and things to be thankful for. Hopefully, your preparations are easy (regardless of whether you are cooking yourself or having your dinner catered) and you have plenty of moments to smile. If you are not celebrating Thanksgiving because you don't like it or you're not American, I still hope you have a great day. You can watch the Bambi Awards and chill out (or work, boo). Either way, below is a little video to give you a small diversion today.

Ornamented snowflakes

Bodoni Snowflake 1, originally uploaded by newfoundjoye.

I was never very good at making paper snowflakes, but I certainly can create one with Bodoni Ornaments. This is one in a series and I hope to create more before December.

the Cat makes his first appearance

the Cat, originally uploaded by newfoundjoye.

So, I'm always posting other people's work and such. Well, here is something from yours truly. Hope you enjoy this eye candy.

The holiday season

Ah, the holiday season. With Thanksgiving creeping up quickly and Christmas right behind it, the holiday season is supposed to be at its peak. However, the holiday spirit is lacking this year. Maybe it is because I am more aware of the commercial side of the holidays or they are just losing their magic, but it feels like no one notices the season is upon us.

You may wonder what I mean. It is simply this: the holidays cause people to be nice. People will smile at you, open doors, hold elevators—they seem like they are in "the holiday spirit". Food drives are active, food baskets are delivered, toys are given to tots and people are ringing those annoyingly high-pitched bells for donations. Yet I feel that most people are hardly even going through the motions. Why is that?

Either way, I won't let that stop me. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas (yes, Christmas, not X-mas). To get myself into the mood, I've been working on some crafts and gifts. Look forward to some DIY entries a little later.

Newfoundjoye's Reader Census

Hunch is an obsession that keeps giving. If you look on my right sidebar, you will see a new widget that allows you to answer questions and compare your results to other NewfoundJoye readers. Feel free to try it out and you can also grab this for your blog as well.

Kudos to Chris for the information. You can check out his blog here.

Happy Belated Halloween

Hopefully, you had a safe and spooky Halloween!

Bumbershoot haiku

So, I am no poet, but this is one haiku that I created today while walking through the rain. Hope you enjoy Bumbershoot.

Throngs of shielded masses
Unforeseen approach
Destined meeting

Image flickr/flavita.valsani