#and also.. which ones work best w which paper quality

[chocochat]

my 2025 hobonichi techo weeks ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و

do not repost

[incogrio]

christmas, don't be late

SYNOPSIS: in which keeping christmas presents a secret is especially hard for yeonjun

pairing: yeonjun x gn!reader word count: 1.1k+ warnings: none, maybe slightly annoying reader, probably ooc yeonjun

AUTHORS NOTE: this fic was actually really fun and easy to write! lately i've been getting kinda annoyed w yeonjun fics because everyone writes him as a cool, macho guy, but he is also super silly!! he's a silly guy!!! so i wanted to show the silly guy some love. when i am writing this, my jack frost fic just went up, so i hope you guys like that fic :)) does anyone actually read these authors notes btw? LMAO, i might do a fic w an enha member bc i'm more into enha than txt, soooo maybe??? idk!! okay thats it, im yapping, love u!

as millions of people knew all around the world, yeonjun was great at many things. he was great at dancing, singing, being kind, hardworking, and empathetic. 

one thing he was never good it, however, was lying. while he didn’t necessarily find himself wishing he could deceive others well on a day to day basis; the closer it got to christmas, he wished he could. 

the first hurdle of the holidays was figuring what exactly you wanted. new clothes? a new watch? jewelry? they all seemed mediocre at best, and yeonjun knew he deserved significantly better than mediocre. 

then, as though sent from the gods above, you suddenly gained an interest in painting. at first, you simply mentioned liking painting videos on youtube, then, he’d catch you drawing little sketches of your environment. the final straw was when you bought yourself a set of 50 tiny paint tubes for less than five dollars. yeonjun was supportive, of course, and your paintings were beautiful, but he knew you deserved the most expensive paint in the world, with the highest quality canvas money could buy. more more than your printer paper, and dollar tree supplies. that’s when he finally jumped over the first hurdle of the holidays. 

now, the second hurdle, was keeping it a secret. at first, it was sort of easy for him. he would simply close his tabs when you came near, and made sure to avoid the topic of getting you art supplies whenever it arose. 

“junnie, what are you up to?” you asked, walking up behind him and his computer. the speed in which you watched him close all of his tabs was akin to superhuman.

“ahh, nothing…” he muttered, before turning around in his office chair and throwing you a charming, lopsided grin. he’d decided the best way to get your mind off his secretiveness, was to be seductive. so, he grinned, he looked you up and down, he bit his lip. 

safe to say, you weren’t too focused on his tabs that night. 

but, there’s only so much sex a man can have before his man gets suspicious. and, with the packages beginning to come in, hiding them from you was becoming harder and harder. 

the first package to arrive was your easel. he’d asked countless people and read countless reviews to make sure he got you the sturdiest, most functional, aesthetically pleasing easel. 

he was lucky when the package arrived and you were at work, but unlucky when he realized it came completely in pieces, and he would rather die than have you waiting over his shoulder as he struggled to build it on christmas day.

“i’ll just…. build it now! it shouldn’t be too hard.” oh yeonjun. what a fool you are.

you came home to him with his head in his hands, an instruction manual on the floor and seemingly random wooden parts strewn throughout the living room. 

“jun, what…” he cut you off, immediately jumping up and covering your eyes.

“yah!” he shouted, “don’t look! don’t!”

“i didn’t! i didn’t see!”

“be honest now.”

“i am!”

“promise?”

“pinky promise.”

“then go away!”

the next time he allowed you into the living room, a large blanket was hanging over the easel, blocking you from seeing the shape of it. you walked out, eyeing the gift suspiciously.

“keep moving mister! nothing to see here!” he exclaimed, gesturing you through the house like an airplane marshal.

when the second package arrived, a large pack of multiple canvases, it was significantly easier to hide. he simply wrapped the box in wrapping paper, and shoved it under the tree.

“baby, what’s in the box?” you asked during dinner, feigning innocence.

“hm? what… box?” yeonjun responded, picking at his food nervously. 

“you know what box.”

“haha! i don’t!! let’s have dessert!”

slowly, you knew you were breaking him down, softening him up. you were in bed together, after secretly putting some of his gifts under the tree.

“junnie…” you mutter, putting on a bit of a soft tone. “tell me what’s under the tree… and i’ll tell you what i got you!”

his only response was turning away from you and your charms, shoving a pillow over his head and loudly singing ‘lalalalalala!!’ for five minutes straight. 

finally, when the paint arrived, he felt relieved. the other gifts would be easier to hide, being small jewelry and clothes, so this would be the last of the big gifts he’d have to wrap. 

he felt so relieved, that a few days later, he was casually speaking to you about your gifts without even realizing it. 

“i ran out of paint today right in the middle of a new landscape!” you whined, grabbing a cold water from the fridge.

“ah, well, it’s good that i-,” he paused. his stomach flipped. he stared at the wrapped gift and almost felt it stare back at him. wrapped. gift. it was wrapped for a reason! he can’t go around revealing gifts just a few days before christmas!

“that i… um… saw… a bird…” 

“what?”

“bird.” he blurted out, before covering his mouth and dashing to the bedroom to hide.

so when christmas finally arrived, yeonjun was as happy as a five year old would be. he woke you up at five am, practically bouncing off the bed as he dragged you to the living room. within the next two seconds, all three of your main gifts were shoved into your lap. 

“open!” he said, the balls of his cheeks high as he beamed at you. 

you slowly and carefully peeled the wrapping paper off, partially to make him impatient, and just as you were about to reveal up your gift, “it’s paint! the best paint in the world!” he blurted out, practically shaking at the excitement of no more secrecy. 

“i see! thank you, junnie! i love it. here, you open one of mine ne-“

“no! you go, go go go!”

you chuckled, grabbing the giant, blanket covered one and shoving it off. 

a second before you could process what it was, yeonjun shouted again.

“it’s an easel!” 

you began laughing at his absurdness. “wow yeonjun! thank you so much! this is so thoughtful. should i open this now?”

he beamed, momentarily trying to contain his excitement by biting his lip, and nodded.

you peeled the wrapping off extra slow, watching him get more squirmish and impatient. 

finally, before taking the last bit of wrapping paper off, you paused. you leaned back, looking at your excited boyfriend.

“go on,” you softly commanded.

“it’s a pack of canvases! i did a lot of research, made sure i got the very best…” he rambled, going on about reviews and critics whilst you gazed at him. once you had finished exchanging gifts, yeonjun quite literally collapsed on the couch, letting out a relieved sigh.

“i hate secrets.”

you chuckled. “at least i know you could never cheat.”

there is a taglist! if u want to be on it, put in an ask :3

don’t forget your daily click!!

requests are open!!!! (im begging u for a request fr)

[shegatsby]

Heyy! Its me again haha. I really wanted to thank you, this turned out really good!♡

I also have another idea..

Okay so reader is Will's cousin and they are visiting Will, Hannibal doesn't know and decides to pay Will a visit but he's currently at the store so he starts talking with the reader and they find out they have much in common like being fans of arts, opera and cooking.. and then reader says they are applying for a job in Baltimore as maybe an arts teach or smth. And 5 to 6 months after that reader meets Hannibal again in a museum of arts, they again start talking and catching up, exchanging numbers and staying in contact for awhile until Hannibal gets 'captured' and then of course everything that happens after that, Hannibal tries contacting reader in that time but it seems as reader blocked him.. and then I thought that maybe it would be like after the fall that Hannibal finally gets in contact with reader and they finally start building a romantic relationship!^^

So yeah thats my idea. I really hope you like this idea and can make something of it. Your writing is like honestly amazing and I would be really excited if you would do this considering the other one was so well made.. I wish you a wonderful late new year and to everyone else aswell! <3

A/N; I cannot believe I've finished this while listening to Justin Bieber -Maria lol Sorry its a bit long but i really enjoyed writing it. Also thank you for your kind words, i'm here to serve the fandom. <3 sorry for any typos since English isn't my native language. Oh, i hope you'll have an amazing year and i hope you'll heal from your past wounds.

words; 2.607K

warnings; mention of cirme, thats it. its safe kiddos.

You had to walk into the store in order to get warm and also buy groceries for your dear cousin. Will Graham. You were visiting him for a week and he asked you to cook your famous stew, in cold days like this a warm stew would cheer anyone up, so after breakfast you decided to get dressed and go to the store while Will was making cookies for his guest. You didn’t know who the guest was but he said he wanted you two to meet. You only nodded and left the house. Inside was warm, and smelled nice, you loved grocery shopping and cooking for people. It was your way of showing your affection towards beloved ones. You were in the wine section, decided to make some hot wine. As you were trying to reach to the top shelf you heard a calm yet dominant voice saying ‘’Allow me.’’ And on your peripheral vision you saw a man’s hand reaching for the wine you wanted. ‘’Here you go.’’ You turned to face the owner of that deep voice, ‘’Thank you.’’ You managed to say, observing his maroon orbits. Such a distinct color, you thought. ‘’Elegant choice. Most people don’t go for that brand.’’ He announced, Doctor Hannibal Lecter never made small conversations with people he didn’t know but when he noticed that this person knew a good quality wine he just wanted to chat. ‘’I’m making hot wine for today. This one is the best for that.’’ You said smiling, he smiled back. ‘’What is your go to choice?’’ he had this strange aura that made you want to talk to him, normally you would smile and say goodbye but he intrigued you to your core. ‘’If I’m visiting a close friend I pick this one, which that’s what I’m doing today.’’ You looked at the brand he was holding, ‘’I always admired the painting on that bottle. Such baroque colors.’’ He raised an eyebrow to your statement, ‘’I assume you’re interested in art?’’

‘’Always have been. Actually once the paper work is done I’ll start working in Baltimore with painters. They opened a studio and asked if I could work with them.’’ That’s when Hannibal noticed the small and dry paint residue on your dominant hand. ‘’I live in Baltimore and I hope to see your paintings one day at an art gallery. Good luck.’’ He smiled a warm smile which reminded you the sunset in winter, it gave you hope for the future.

‘’Thank you so much.’’ You said and you both walked to your separate ways. However, fate had its own webs to arbitrate in your behalf.

Once you reached to your cousin’s home you saw a car on the front yard, apparently his guest have arrived. You climbed the porch and used the spare key Will gave you. You could hear two man talking about a murder case, you knew what your cousin’s job was and he was so passionate about it that every week he would call you and tell you about a new case. In the entire family he chose you as his special blood connection. You two have always been considered as outlaws, or ‘’the freaks’’ and this made you more close to one another. ‘’I’m home.’’ You announced to let them know, just in case if they were talking secret FBI files. ‘’Come in Y/N.’’ you heard your cousin say with enthusiasm. You quickly left the bags on the kitchen counter and washed your hands, you had slightly cleaning obsession which Will never forgot to point it out. ‘’Hi!’’ you wore your warmest smile and walked into the living room which was at the back of the house and it had a door that opened to the back yard.

As soon as you walked in you saw that man from the store, sitting on the single armchair, holding a coffee mug in his large hand. You froze in your steps, watched him stand up, fix his clothes subtly and extend his hand towards you, ‘’What a lovely coincidence. Doctor Hannibal Lecter.’’ You took his hand, it was warm and manly, ‘’Y/N Y/L/N.’’ Will was puzzled but you explained to him quickly.

That night you asked him to stay longer and he helped you coking the stew and making the hot wine. 3 of you talked and explored new ideas about their cases, they were really keen on getting a fresh perspective from you about their recent case.

It had been months since that strange coincidence, since that you were working in that studio you mentioned to him and rented a small apartment for yourself and your cat. Things were going pretty smoothly and for the first time you and your team had an opening at the Baltimore Museum of Arts, it was an important night for you and you dressed up accordingly. Elegant yet showing your curves in a subtle way. A black velvet dress that was above the knee, black high heels, a fresh blow out, red lips and red nails. You felt like a goddess and walked like one as well. The event started at 8 pm, you were there with your colleges making sure everything was ready.

You were nervous so your colleagues greeted the guests who were mostly middle aged white people, you didn’t mind, since no one knew your face you could stand behind guests and listen their criticism about your work. It was fun, drinking your champagne and listening to rich folk who knew nothing about art making assumptions, some wondered about the artist but you were safe. You were standing right next to them and they didn’t know who you were. You had no idea about what was going to happen that night and that excited you deeply.

‘’Hello Y/N.’’ someone addressed you directly, for some reason you felt like a deer caught in the red lights. You turned to face the owner of that dominant voice, it was him. You almost dropped the empty champagne glass you were holding, he had a smirk on his plump lips. He grabbed your empty glass, a waiter was near you two so he gave the empty glasses to him got new ones, ‘’May I say you look ravishing tonight.’’ His comment made you feel the heat rising to your cheeks, ‘’Thank you, it’s been a while. How are you?’’ and you started catching up, he asked which one of the paintings were yours and you pointed, he looked at them for a while without saying anything, he seemed as if he was calculating something in his marvelous brain of his. Soon you were surrounded by his colleagues, he kept you by his side, ‘’I’m sure you would be delighted to know that those magnificent paintings were created by none other than this woman who is standing next to me.’’ He announced when his colleagues mentioned how much they liked your paintings, you were shocked that he revealed you to them like this, he seemed proud to have you to himself, the crowed started to compliment you all you could say ‘’Thank you, thank you so much..’’ you weren’t used to having the spot light. You could feel his large hand on the small of your back, not moving up or down, staying put. You felt like he was showing you off, but why?

When the night came to an end all of your paintings were sold, the owner would be revealed in a few days and you decided to send him or her a thank you note. Hannibal asked you for your phone number to keep in touch, he offered to drive you home also, you didn’t refuse because it was cold outside. As you left the building together you noticed his elite acquaintances raised eyebrows and questionable eyes, you didn’t care. You gave him the directions, it was snowing outside softly, when he reached to the parking lot of your apartment complex, he parked the car. You had a strange feeling that you didn’t want this night to come to an end, you noticed his slowness, maybe he felt the same way? You watched him opening his mouth to say something and then closing it. ‘’Would you like a glass of hot wine.. since it is really cold it could warm us.’’ You abruptly suggested, ‘’I would love to.’’ Was there a hint of excitement in his dominant voice? You didn’t want to jump into conclusions, he was older than you and seemed like a serious man, why would he want to have deeper connection with you? He had multiple beautiful people in his circle to entertain him… you decided that you two were in the right place in the right time and also Will Graham being your cousin made you two share a simple connection, that was it.

Thankfully your flat was organized and clean, he appreciated that mentally. He, deep down, was checking his long list ever since he met you, no one knew but Hannibal would like to share his luxurious life with someone and he had a long list, and whenever he met someone knew he would see if that person could tick all of the things in his list, you were doing great so far.

After making the hot wine you found yourself laughing at Hannibal’s stories with Will, you left your high heels on the floor, sitting on the couch whereas Hannibal was sitting on the armchair, sleeves rolled up, his tie was loose, legs wide open, holding his empty wine glass, you found yourself admiring his posture, he sat like a Greek statue, carved by the most talented sculptor of all time. He noticed your lingering shiny eyes on his body, he even liked it,

‘’Being desired by someone is perhaps the closest anybody in this life can reach to feeling immortal.’’

He said, his voice sounding like a prayer, divine and his eyes on yours… he slowly stood up, placed the empty glass on the coffee table, you could see the veins on his hand. He turned to you and got your glass as well, placed it next to his. His thick fingers went to your chin, lifting your face up to meet his. His orbs got darkened, he leaned in, you could feel his rich perfume, filling your nostrils. He whispered, ‘’I would like to have you for dinner, see you soon little dove.’’ and he left.

Of course he wanted to kiss you, ravish your body and leave marks on you, claiming his territory but there was still time for that. He was an old fashioned man and he didn’t have time for superficial things, he wanted this to be right. Before he let you speak he wore his shoes and left your flat and left you speechless.

After few days you got a phone call, Hannibal invited you for dinner at his house. What happened at your house few days ago troubled the depths of your mind every single day. He seemed like he was interested in you but you weren’t sure.

You knew he was interested in etiquette, aesthetics, so you wore slightly formal clothing. A black pencil skirt, beige blouse and high heels, soft make up and you were done.

When he answered the door his face light up to see you looking divine, ‘’Please come in. I have surprise to show you.’’ He announced.

He held your hand and walked you to the upstairs, ‘’This is my study room.’’ He announced before he opened the dark wooden door, inside was lit with yellow lights, he was right it was his study room. The detail was that the walls held your paintings… he was the one who bought your paintings, all of them.. ‘’Rest are in my office, my clients love them.’’ He said smiling to you, ‘’Hannibal… I don’t know what to say….’’ You were overwhelmed with emotions. ‘’I really like your work and I want you to follow your dreams.’’ You turned to look him in his maroon orbits, you didn’t have to say anything, your eyes did the talking.

After that you kept seeing each other, his work and also yours made it hard but whenever you had time you spent time with him. Bringing lunch to his office or Hannibal sending your studio presents. However, these last week you heard nothing from him, he wasn’t answering his phone, he wasn’t at his office, when you finally went to his home he wasn’t there, but his car was there… finally you called your cousin Will and he didn’t tell you much except Hannibal was involved with some crime and he disappeared. You couldn’t believe your ears, you did your research, he was all over the news but deep down you didn’t want to believe it. Also the news weren’t clear about his crimes…

Weeks passed without any news from him, you spent your days at the studio and you noticed how dark your paintings got… when you were with him you were blooming but now you felt as if life dropped you of somewhere and you are watching everyone live, except you. Your life got stale.

One day your paintings were accepted by an Italian art exhibition but you also had to be there as well, so packed your things and left Baltimore. Will also encouraged you to do it, he knew how depressed you got after Hannibal’s departure.

Italy was a dream, a dream you were glad to live it, the warmth, food and art made you feel like in a Disney movie but a part of you secretly wishing to experience this with a particular gentleman. You didn’t know your prayers were going to be answered.

The night of the exhibition you got a phone call, unknown number. You answered, ‘’Hello?’’ at first there wasn’t a voice, you were about to hang up but you heard him, ‘’I’m so proud of you Y/N.’’

Your heart dropped to your stomach, it was him. Hannibal.

‘’Hannibal? Where are you? What happ-‘’ he stopped you, ‘’Not on the phone, I’ll see you after the exhibition. Wait for me at the back.’’

The night felt like an eternity, when finally you were free you literally ran to the back of the building and there he was, on his motorbike, he looked so different yet familiar at the same time. ‘’Hop on princess.’’ He made you wear a helmet and together you rode. He took you to a villa, it was his new home.

You didn’t say anything until he brought you inside, as soon as he turned to face you to speak you slapped him, ‘’How dare you leave without a single note? I’ve been worried sick!’’

Hannibal was baffled to see this fierce side of you and he liked it. He kissed you. His plump lips made you feel at peace. Kiss got heated due to the fact that both of you had sexual tension for each other so long that now you were a volcano exploding. His hands went to your waist and pulled you roughly to him, his body felt like a rock, so firm. When you pulled away you were on his couch, on top of him, ‘’Is it true?’’ you asked out of breath, ‘’What?’’ he asked to buy some time. ‘’All they say about you.. are you a criminal?’’ you asked with hesitation. He had a smug smile, ‘’Does it matter?’’ his cockiness and confidence made it hard for you to be realistic but you figured as long as you two were together nothing could harm you. You kissed him passionately.

Thank you for reading.

[excineribusbooks]

Resource Post: Supplies, Equipment, and Software

So I've had some people ask about the supplies and equipment I use to make my books! This is not a comprehensive list, nor is it an official tutorial on how to make a book (for that, I recommend starting with Renegade Publishing's resource documents, DAS Bookbinding, or SeaLemon's YouTube tutorials -- all free, no patreon required!), but if you're floundering because you don't know what you need to get, hopefully this will help a little bit ❤️ If I discover more good resources or change up my style, I'll add to this post.

Of note: I'm based in the US, so this list is unfortunately pretty US-centric. Apologies!

SUPPLIES

Disclaimer #1: I have a background in book conservation, so I'm picky to a fault about the supplies I use. To make a long-lasting book, you want to look for "acid-free" or "archival" materials -- BUT, a lot of consumer craft stores have realized those are good buzzwords to slap on products even if they aren't really archival. Your best bet is to buy from stores that supply materials to libraries and archives; those tend to be higher quality and stick to actual archival standards. Talas, Hollander's, University Products, and Colophon Book Arts Supply are good places to start.

That said! If price matters more than longevity, hitting up Michaels or Joann Fabrics is totally fine. This is a hobby. The bookbinding police are not gonna come smash down your door because you didn't use archival-quality craft paper. My big recommendation, though: at least get your glue and paste from Talas. High-quality adhesive makes a huge difference in how well, and how long, a book holds together. Bad adhesives can turn brittle with time, stain your paper/cloth, and make all your hard work fall apart.

So, all that said, here's what I use:

BOARD - Davey Binder's Board, 0.098" GLUE - Jade 403 PVA PASTE - Zen Shofu wheat paste (you shouldn't have to buy more than half a pound -- a little goes a long way) CLOTH - Either Arrestox or Dover bookcloth, which comes in a wide variety of colors and holds up extremely well to whatever you want to do to it THREAD - 25/3 linen thread, which I run over a small block of beeswax to make it easier to handle and give it better "locking" properties as I sew. For bigger books of ten signatures or more, I sew onto 3/8" linen tapes for extra support. DECORATIVE PAPER - Hollander's is a treasure trove of decorative papers for endsheets and covers; Talas has some really nice ones, too, but they tend to be pricier (since unfortunately everything at Talas has gotten a lot pricier lately) PRINTING PAPER - Hammermill Colors paper, 20lb, in cream; 24lb is also a good weight that feels a little more substantial than regular printer paper. (I'll probably switch to 24lb once my 20lb paper runs out.) To get the right grain direction, I buy a ream of 11x17 paper and cut it in half to make standard letter-sized sheets (8.5x11). Here's a quick primer on grain direction and why it's important when making a book! ENDBANDS - I've never had the patience to sew my own endbands (though I hope to gain that patience someday!), so I just use premade ones like these.

EQUIPMENT

Disclaimer #2: a lot of the stuff on this list is professional-grade (or close to it) with prices to match. You definitely don't have to buy everything right off the bat. It took me fifteen years to accumulate it all, and you can DIY a lot of bookbinding equipment -- a good googling will lead you to all sorts of innovative ways hobby bookbinders set up their shops. The Renegade Publishing resource documents also have a lot of A+ recommendations.

PRINTER - For text, I use a Brother B&W laser printer with auto-duplex (auto-duplex is key when printing a book); for images, both B&W and color, I use a Canon color inkjet printer set to at least 300 DPI. I fully admit having two printers is an absurd setup, but what laser printers can do well, inkjets absolutely suck at, and vice-versa -- and like I said, I'm hella picky. You can get by fine with a single laser printer! Just make sure it's got auto-duplex to save yourself a lot of pain. GUILLOTINE - I have this model, which goes in and out of stock with some regularity. The trick with this guy is to (a) sandwich your text block between some scrap board so the clamp doesn't leave a dent, and (b) REALLY CRANK DOWN on the clamp as tight as you possibly can to keep the paper from shifting as you cut. This fixes 99% of the skewing problems mentioned in the reviews. PRESS - I have a little cast-iron press I bought off a coworker for fifty bucks; similarly, you might have luck searching eBay, looking at Affordable Bookbinding Equipment (Jim does incredible work!), searching craft stores for a flower press, or even just using two pieces of wood and a few C-clamps. SeaLemon on YouTube also has a good video on how to DIY a book press. PRESS BOARDS - For setting the hinges in the press, I use a pair of brass-edged boards like these. It's a good investment if you want to get really nice, crisp hinges, but it's also 100% possible to DIY brass-edged boards if you want. At my very first job, we even set our hinges by taping sewing needles to the book before putting it in the press! FINISHING PRESS - I have this one, which I use to back my books in combination with these backing irons BACKING HAMMER - To my chagrin, I've discovered that having an actual backing hammer makes backing a book way, way easier. Some folks have had good luck with a cobbler's hammer or just a regular old hammer from a hardware store, but I splurged on a student hammer from Hollander's, and it works fantastically. (I wouldn't recommend buying the "professional" hammers, though, because seriously, $90 for a hammer?! No.) BONE FOLDER - I'm actually not a fan of bone folders made from real bone; I like Teflon folders a lot better for scoring and flattening. (Real bone folders tend to burnish the material, an effect I'm rarely going for.) CUTTING MACHINE - A Silhouette Curio. This is 100% optional, but it's how I do the bulk of my cover designs, including cut-outs, embossing, foiling (with a foil quill attachment), and spine titling. The software and overall quality are way better than Cricut, and its 5mm clearance means you can fit more than just vinyl in there. Sadly, Silhouette has discontinued the Curio, but it's still possible to buy from third-party sellers -- and if you don't care about the 5mm clearance, I've heard good things about the Silhouette Cameo line.

A side note on vinyl, from the obnoxiously picky book conservator: if you're aiming for longevity with your books, using HTV in your book designs may not be the best idea. Not only can the adhesives be questionable, but the plasticizers in vinyl break down in really weird, gross ways once several decades have passed. That's why I tend to stick with cut-outs and foiling instead of HTV. But, again: if you just want to make something pretty, don't worry about it!

SOFTWARE

TYPESETTING - I use Affinity Publisher -- it's similar to Adobe InDesign, but with a flat cost instead of a bullshit subscription model. I am by no means an expert in this, since I've only been designing books for a couple years; pretty much everything I learned, I learned from Aliya Regatti's tutorial, plus or minus a lot of googling and noodling around. I've discovered that it does get cranky if your book is over 250 pages or so, meaning you may have to split longer fics into multiple files. That said, I've been really happy with it, and it goes on sale every now and then if the $70 price tag is too much.

As always, Renegade Publishing has a whole lot of tutorials for other software options, including Microsoft Word, InDesign, LaTeX, and Scribus if you already have access to one of those instead.

IMPOSITION - "Imposition" is when you lay out a book so all the pages are in order once you fold + gather the signatures. Since Affinity Publisher doesn't do this automatically on export, I use Bookbinder 3.0, which is an old but nice little Java program that breaks a single PDF into a series of properly imposed signatures. I usually set it to 6 sheets per signature.

MISCELLANEOUS

IMAGES

The Noun Project is a gigantic repository of basic SVGs and PNGs that are not only great for cutting machines, but for adding flourishes to your title page, chapter headings, and scene dividers. Every single book I've made has used at least one image from here; I pay for the yearly Noun Pro subscription, but it's not necessary to use the site.

Unsplash is perfect for photo elements

Pixabay not only has a great archive of photos, but illustrations and vector images as well

Surprisingly, Wikipedia also has a lot of good Creative Commons photos attached to their articles!

FONTS

1001Fonts is a good starting point for finding free fonts, as is FontSpace and DaFont

If you're willing to pay for fonts (and sometimes it's worth it for a well-designed font that's perfect for your project), Creative Fabrica and Pixel Surplus have some good stuff, including discounted bundles of multiple fonts

[boxanimal]

Tutorial: editing manga raws

Disclaimer: This is a tutorial for beginners with no experience using Photoshop for editing manga raws. It is not comprehensive, nor does it detail the only reliable method for achieving a good result. This is just a walkthrough of the method I find to have the best ratio of effort to result quality, according to my own tastes.

Open the file in Photoshop: If you do not own PS, see notes at the end of this post.

Click "open" on the PS startup menu or under "File" on the top bar of the window.

Click "File" on the top bar of the window, click "Save As" and save in your desired location as a Photoshop Document (.psd).

Regularly save the file with File > Save or with the shortcut CTRL+S/CMD+S while editing so you don't lose your work.

Change image mode: If your file name has "(Index)" after it, you will need to change the image mode to edit it properly.

Click "Image" on the top bar, then "Mode". Select "Grayscale" if you are working in B/W, or "RGB" if you plan on working with color. You can change this later, although it can sometimes affect your image in unexpected ways.

Crop (optional): You may want to crop your file down to what you want your final edit to include. You can also do this later if you prefer.

Click the crop icon on the left toolbar and click and drag over the area you want to work with. You can adjust by hovering over the edges of the selection and dragging when the arrows appear. You can rotate the crop by doing this at the corners as well.

Click the check mark on the options bar to confirm.

Be aware of the icon on the options bar which, when selected, permanently deletes the pixels outside of your crop. It is best not to have it on so you can adjust the crop later, but if your computer struggles with running PS, it may be worth using.

Surface blur (optional): Surface blur helps limit the amount of manual cleaning you will have to do by evening out some of the texture of the paper fiber you can see in raw manga.

(Extra optional) resize the image to 2X its current size. Go to "Image" on the top bar, then click "Image Size". Change the width or height to 2X the original value, making sure the "constrain aspect ratio" icon is checked. Hit OK.

Go to "Filter" on the top bar, then "Blur", then "Surface Blur".

Adjust the values on the box that comes up to balance between limiting the amount of texture in flat black and white area with not blurring details together. It will not be the same for every image, but will likely be similar. You can check and uncheck the preview button to compare your adjustment to the original. Hit OK when done.

If you resized the image, repeat the process, this time returning it to its original size.

Leveling

Click the "Layers" panel button on the right of the screen to open it.

On the bottom of the layers panel, click the button that looks like a half-white, half-black circle. Under that menu, click "Levels".

The levels adjustment panel should open, and you should see something that looks like a graph. As you drag the right and left slider on the graph inward, you will notice the blacks and whites getting more intense, respectively. Adjust these too your taste, but be aware that dragging them too far towards the middle can mess with gradation and midtones if they are present. You can adjust the middle slider as well. Play around until you get a look you like.

Sharpening (optional): Sharpening increases the definition of the edges of an image. I personally don't do this a lot of the time because I'm not crazy about the look, but it is a common step for many people, so it is worth knowing about since you may prefer the sharpened look.

Go back to the "Layers" panel. Make sure the layer that has the image on it is selected.

Go to "Filter" on the top bar, then "Sharpen".

There are a variety of sharpening options underneath sharpen. Try them and see what appeals to you. You can use all of these on one image, and apply them multiple times. If you sharpen too much, just use the CTRL+z/CMD+z shortcut to undo your previous actions.

Spot cleaning: If there's still some visible "dirt" on the image, I quickly clean it up with the brush tool.

On the bottom of the layer panel, click the "+" icon to create a new layer. Make sure you have it selected.

Click the brush tool in the left tool panel.

Size of the brush can be adjusted on the options panel, and the color can be adjusted on the side toolbar.

Just click over spots with a black/white brush to cover them up. You can use the eraser tool in the left panel, or CTRL+z/CMD+z, if you mess up. The eraser won't effect the image itself because your touch-ups are on a separate layer.

Export: When you're all done with a basic manga edit, you can either keep editing if you want to do something more elaborate (not covered in this tutorial) or export your file to a type you can upload on the web.

Click "File" on the top bar of the window, then "Export", then "Export As".

You have the option to change the final file type in this window. I recommend a PNG for high quality or a JPG if you want to limit file size. You can also change the size of the exported image here; it is up to you and your needs if you do this.

Click the blue export button and choose where you want to export the final edit.

Additional Notes: Software

Photoshop: I recommend Photoshop for editing, and it is what this tutorial is based around. However, I don't recommend paying for it. Here is how you can get if for free.

(Highly recommended) Enable your VPN if you have one.

Go here.

Type "photoshop" into the search bar on the top right of the screen, and look for the result with the highest "S" value (green text).

Click on the magnet icon next to the file size to torrent the file.

If you don't know how to torrent, here is an external tutorial.

Install the program according to the instructions in the information file and you will be set.

Photopea:

If you aren't comfortable downloading pirated files onto your computer, Photopea has a lot of the same functionality as Photoshop, but in-browser.

I'm not sure how it handles large files, but in terms of functionality it should be able to do anything you would need for edits.

Additional Notes: Space

Raws can take up a lot of space, because ideally they are both large and lossless (meaning they don't lose quality as the files are uploaded, downloaded, etc). Additionally, having few GBs free on your computer can hinder Photoshop's performance when editing said raws. If you don't have a lot of computer space, these are my recommendations:

The cheapest solution is knowing what you want to edit and what volume it is in, so you can download only what you need. This may not work for all raws, because they might all be grouped together in one massive upload, but mine are posted by volume.

The best solution is to buy an external hard drive. I would not encourage you to get one just for this, but this is a useful tool for anyone. Besides helping you free up a ton of storage space, it blows your piracy game wide open, and you can save a crazy amount of your favorite media in a place no one can take it from you. They are not super cheap, but they are well worth the price if you use them. Be sure to get the most out of it. I have this one and it works great.

You can also make use of cloud storage, though I don't really recommend it.

[justswim3]

Swimming Pool Classes in Chennai - Just Swim

The Essentials of Pool Maintenance: Cleanliness, Water Balance, Vacuuming, and Pump Management

Just Swim has emerged as one of the best swimming classes in Chennai, known more for their top class, well-qualified instructing staff, and good maintenance practices. Good maintenance is an added positive attribute to the impeccable quality of your swimming experience. In this paper, we are going to discuss three main pool maintenance aspects that have high praises for: cleanliness and pH level maintenance, vacuuming the pool, and running a pump. Merit these all to their overall swimming experience.

Cleanliness and Maintenance of pH Levels of Water

The right pH level in the swimming pool is important for comfort and durability. In terms of pH, the measure of how acidic or basic the water is does have some influence on chlorine, which is the most commonly used disinfectant in swimming pools. A pH between 7.2 and 7.8 will ensure the effective destruction of bacteria when maintained and prevent irritation to the eyes and skin by the swimmers.

Ensuring the optimal pH levels for this following reason is of prime importance to it.

Health and Hygiene: The health of swimmers has to be of great importance. An unbalanced pH can cause skin rashes, itching in the eyes, and even more significant health problems through bacterial and algae growth. It uses elaborate water-testing kits to check the pH and chlorine level daily, so the water is kept clean and disinfected always for the swimmers to swim in.

Protection of the Pool Equipment: The foundation structure of the home such as the tiles, ladders, and filter system is prone to damage if the pH levels are not appropriately maintained. Water with a pH below 7.0 may degrade the metal parts while a pH level above 8.0 results in scale buildup at different sites. Therefore, maintaining balanced pool chemistry merely maintains Just Swim's equipment's long-term life with minimal expensive repairs.

Optimal Chlorine Efficiency: Chlorine works at its optimal rate when the pH level is balanced. It understands this relationship and tracks the water chemistry continuously to prevent conditions that allow chlorine not to function optimally. Such practice besides optimizing the chlorine's disinfection power, also aids the facility in reducing consumption of chlorine, thus it is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Vacuuming the Pool

Even with the cleanest filtration system, dirt, leaves, and bugs will fall onto the bottom of your pool, causing the pool water to lose clarity and cleanliness. This is where vacuuming your pool comes in. Vacuums are part of their routine maintenance schedule and provide the following benefits:

Clear Water Crystal: Vacuuming removes fine particles not captured by the filtration system. Therefore, clear and inviting water is always given to swimmers thus generally encouraging the latter to enjoy swimming, especially if it's for diving, lap swimming, or training wherein the water ensures an increase in visibility.

Algae Prevention: Algae happens to like stagnant water conditions as well as surfaces in a pool that are not regularly cleaned. From this aspect, vacuuming the pool prevents algae from taking hold. Eventually, this way it does not have to resort to chemical-heavy treatments later on. This way, it saves much time because it maintains a good environment to swim in, free from slippery pool surfaces that algae might cause.

Pool vacuuming helps in improving water circulation, thereby improving the filtration and heating process around the pool. The stagnant and stationary water areas of the pool have a high potential for breeding bacteria, causing uneven heating. Removing the debris in the pool bottom will thus enhance the overall efficiency of the swimming pool while maintaining cleanliness and ideal temperatures of water.

Running a Pool Pump

A pump serves as the heart of any swimming pool's circulation system, pumping water through the filtration system in which debris is removed and helps distribute chemicals evenly throughout the pool. The proper functioning of its pool pumps is of prime importance to Just Swim, which cites the following virtues:

Circulation of Water: Water circulation is the most crucial aspect through which quality water can be ensured. The pump ensures that water remains circulating and that there are no dead zones where debris and bacteria can settle. Smooth movement is what allows uniform dispersion of chemicals in the pool, like chlorine, for proper sanitization. Pool pumps operated by Just Swim operate in a timed schedule to optimize efficiency and water quality.

Filtration Efficiency: The pump works in synchronization with the filtration system of your pool. It pushes water through filters that clean water of particles like dirt, leaves, and all other debris. It uses high-class filtration systems so even the smallest particles are washed away from water. A well-kept pump ensures that the filter remains at its optimal condition instead of constant backwashing or replacing the filter media.

Energy Efficiency: It consumes a lot of energy to run a pool pump all day long, but it has implemented energy-saving solutions like variable speed pumps. The latter facilitates the facility to alter the pump's speed upon its usage patterns thus saving energy without any resultant compromise on the quality of water supplied thereby minimizing the operating costs and also the footprint it imparts to the environment.

Noise suppression: Old pool pumps from previous times and low-maintenance pumps often make noise. Such noises clog the serenity that Just Swim promises to provide. The facility services the pumps like new ones with minimal noise, and they conduct regular checks so swimming does not take place amidst noise pollution. It is quiet, enabling swimmers to either enjoy lessons or relax in the pool.

Conclusion

Maintenance focus has provided the basis for their quest to deliver an unparalleled swimming experience in Chennai. Regular cleanliness and maintenance of pH levels, frequent vacuuming of pools, and effective pumping of pools have ensured that facilities are clean, comfortable, and warm for swimmers of any age. These maintenance practices ensure not only that swimmers are healthy and safe but also the longevity of the pool and its equipment; hence, it is still one of the best swimming coaching in Chennai, offering an excellent mix of professional instruction with exceptional facility care. Being a novice or an experienced swimmer, you can depend on having a safe, clean, and enjoyable experience.

[conquestdistributorsblogs]

Toilet Paper and Hygiene: Dispelling Myths and Best Practices

You cannot go about your day without using toilet paper at least a few times. It remains an essential component of hygiene despite several misconceptions. Since toilet paper is inseparable from cleanliness and comfort, we must know the best practices and optimal cleanliness and dispel the common myths surrounding it. Despite the growing popularity of alternate hygiene options in the washrooms, such as bidets or Japanese toilets, toilet paper remains an inseparable essential for the common loos or a travel buddy on your great outdoor adventures, saving you in emergencies.

Bid Adieu to these Myths about Toilet Paper

· More layers are better?

People usually believe that toilet paper with several sheets works better. Though a thick paper may appear and feel luxurious, it may not dissolve entirely and cause clogs, which can contribute to plumbing problems. So, it is essential to select toilet paper or a good quality paper towel that is comfortable on the skin but is also functional.

· Colored and Fragrant Toilet Paper Is Harmful

It is a popular misconception that colored or perfumed toilet paper can irritate as it has harmful ingredients. However, you must know that most good companies manufacture toilet paper using safe, skin-friendly ingredients that dissolve in water. Nevertheless, people with sensitive skin should opt for white, dye-free choices to reduce the chance of discomfort.

· Toilet Papers are Harmful for the Environment

Though partially incorrect, toilet paper only uses a small percentage of the paper produced for the much bigger industry. Also, when flushed, toilet paper usually disintegrates. Though using a water jet may be an alternate option, while traveling or in places with water scarcity, paper towels, and toilet paper become primary options for hygiene and cleanliness.

Toilet Paper Best Practices

· Use Less — To avoid excessive waste or burdening the plumbing system, using just the right amount of toilet paper is the right way; it will ensure cleanliness without a negative environmental impact.

· Install Bidet — If possible, install a bidet in your washroom so there is less need for toilet paper. First, use the bidet followed by toilet paper for better cleanliness and less need for paper towels.

· Use Eco-Friendly Options — Opt for organic/ bio-degradable materials as they put less strain on the Environment. One such option is toilet paper made of bamboo or other organic/ eco-friendly alternatives.

Care for Hygiene and Environment

Knowing the best practices for using Toilet Paper and paper towels is vital to maintaining cleanliness and reducing the environmental impact. You can take the right step towards sustainability by opting for hygiene products from socially responsible companies such as Conquest Distributors, the trusted supplier of bulk professional-grade paper towels and toilet papers essential for your business. You can choose from multiple options and get the best price!

Location: 800 Steeles Ave W Unit B101822155, Thornhill, ON L4J 7L2, Canada

The Article“Toilet Paper and Hygiene: Dispelling Myths and Best Practices” was initially posted HERE

[petalsxfallen]

Despite her loudly declared dislike of Christmas, Petal had once again joined the Smith family for the holiday. This time it wasn't as unexpected as the previous year, since everyone had been suspecting that she would have been their guest once again, but no one mentioned it.

No need to get on her bad side by pointing out how she seemed to enjoy the festivity deep down.

Summer and Morty had been prepared this year. They had gotten their present for her a couple of weeks in advance, which meant that they also had the time to wrap them properly.

Summer was the first to approach the Gem, dropping a purple package in her lap. There was no thread or ribbon, nothing that could suggest a connection to Christmas. Inside, there was a black T-shirt, slightly ripped on the sides and under the collar, punk style, sporting a bright pink inscription that spelled "Queen Bitch".

"Merry random day of the year," the redhead exclaimed with a giggle, clinking her beer can against Petal's, before working away to leave room to his brother, so that he too could drop off his presents.

"Uh, I-I'm not making a big deal about it, j-just I wanted to get you a present. 'C-Cause I felt like to," Morty rushed to say, very well aware that, by wording it in that way, he was definitely putting the accent on that specific occasion, but he still hoped that the pearl wouldn't call him out on it. "S-So, uh, happy...un-Christmas?"

His gift was wrapped in emerald green paper and was bigger than Summer. Under the paper, there was a cardboard box, filled with accessories for Midnight. A new bowl, some high quality dry and wet food and a few interactive toys. He knew that the Gem had never bought her feline companion anything, so he had figured that he could do it for her.

The last to approach her was Rick. The scientist dropped down next to her on the couch, wordlessly passing her a fresh can of beer, before taking a swing from his own. His free hand slipped underneath his lab coat and he pulled out two tickets written in an obscure alien language.

"I-If you wanna bail this boring shit after dinner, w-we could go and have a look at this," he offered with a shrug. It was a place he had meant to check out for a while, but he had preferred waiting to have company. It seemed the kind of thing that could be more fun with a friend.

"I-It's like a super kinky sex dungeon, b-but you can choose between sex and violence for every room you pick. P-Plenty of options. I-I know a guy who's been there, s-someone who's not easy to impress, an-and he fuckin' loved it. T-Totally worth a try, if you ask me."

@countlessrealities

Though petal would never voice it outloud she had looked forward to this celebration. Deep down her hatred for christmas came out of jealousy. Others being able to spend the holiday surrounded by others that cared about them. It took awhile for petal to accept but now she knew. She wasn't alone anymore.

Meeting the smiths had been the best thing that ever happened to her. Sure she wouldn't voice that exactly but at this point she had made her feelings known. Either by doing countless favors for the three of them or saving their asses on more than one occasion. Not to mention all the fun adventures she'd taken them on.

Petal was more than appreciative of the gift summer decided to give her. A grin stretching across her face once she ripped apart the paper. Laying her sights on the shirt in question. "Killer." She replied as she gazed admiringly at the ripped garment. "Totally fits with my style. Thanks summer." She replied before taking it and placing it in her pocket dimension for safe keeping.

"Yeah sure whatever you say morty." She responded with an eyeroll but it was clear from her more relaxed expression that she wasn't teasing him too much. A warm smile graced her features once she opened his present. "Oh nice! Midnight is gonna love this." Right on cue she reached into her gem. Pulling out the cat from her pocket dimension.

A lot of the time she just had the cat chilling in there. That way the petals inside her gem could take care of him. Plus it offered him more warmth and comfort than the cave they'd lived in for the longest time. She had only started looking for apartments now since she kinda had a new lease on life after having her memories wiped for all those months.

"Here you go little buddy. Look what morty got you." With that she just placed him in the box to chill alongside his new toys and various other cat items. So far petal had been mostly feeding him fish. Not fish flavored cat food but literal fish that she'd caught with her bare hands.

"You're a fucking lifesaver rick." She spoke as she grasped at the tickets. "I'm totally bailing with you. I just know jerry's gonna be playing the most corny christmas shit known to man. Hopefully I can play some actually half decent movies for you guys but I'm not gonna be here to suffer through your dad's worst picks." She laughed shrugging afterwards. "This might end of being one of the better christmases I've had."

[poshgarmentsltd]

How to Care for and Extend the Life of Your Clothing

In today’s fast-paced world, the life cycle of clothing has become increasingly short. The rise of fast fashion has led to a culture of disposability where clothing is worn briefly and then discarded. This has not only led to an excessive waste problem but also hidden environmental costs, such as increased energy consumption and pollution. The good news is that there are ways to change this narrative. By learning how to care for and extend the life of your clothing, you can reduce your environmental footprint and save money in the long run.

Understanding Fabric Types

Before we delve into the specific care practices, it’s crucial to understand that not all fabrics are created equal. Different types of fabrics have distinct characteristics, and knowing how to handle them appropriately can significantly impact the longevity of your clothing.

Cotton is a popular natural fiber, and while it’s comfortable and breathable, it is also prone to shrinking. To care for cotton clothing, wash it in cold water and avoid high-heat drying.

Wool is another natural fiber known for its warmth. However, it can be susceptible to stretching and felting. When caring for wool garments, it’s best to hand wash them in cold water or use the delicate cycle on your washing machine.

Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon are durable and easy to care for, but they are prone to pilling. To prevent this, wash synthetic clothing inside out and avoid overloading the washing machine.

Silk is a delicate natural fiber, and it’s essential to use a gentle detergent when washing silk garments. Hand washing is often the best approach to preserve their quality.

Blended fabrics, like cotton-polyester blends, combine the benefits of multiple materials. However, they may require specific care that considers the properties of each fabric.

Always check clothing labels for care instructions. These labels are your best guide to preserving your garments.

Sorting and Storage

Before you even start the laundry process, proper sorting and storage can make a significant difference in how long your clothing lasts. Begin by sorting your clothing into categories like whites, darks, and colors. Sorting helps prevent color bleeding and ensures that you use the right water temperature and detergent for each load.

When storing clothing, make sure it’s clean and completely dry. Moisture can lead to mold and mildew, which can damage fabric and cause unpleasant odors. Use appropriate hangers to hang clothing, ensuring they don’t stretch the fabric or leave shoulder bumps. For items that should be folded, like knitwear, use acid-free tissue paper between folds to prevent creases.

Consider using garment bags for more delicate or special occasion items. These bags protect clothing from dust, moths, and other potential hazards. Avoid hanging heavy garments on wire hangers, as they can cause stretching and deform the fabric.

Washing and Drying

When it comes to washing and drying your clothing, there are several tips to follow that can extend the life of your garments.

Washing

Choose the right water temperature and detergent for the fabric type. For instance, use cold water for most fabrics, but warmer water for heavily soiled items like bedding or kitchen towels. Always measure the detergent to avoid overuse, as excess detergent can leave residue on your clothing.

Pre-treat stains as soon as possible to prevent them from setting. There are various stain removers available, or you can make your own using household items like baking soda and vinegar. Gently blot the stain; do not rub it in, as this can spread the stain.

Use the right washing machine cycle. The delicate cycle is suitable for more fragile fabrics, while the regular cycle works for most everyday clothing. Overloading the machine can cause friction and damage your garments, so avoid cramming too many items into one load.

Drying

The drying process is just as important as washing. While it’s convenient to use a dryer, consider air drying your clothing when possible. Hanging clothes outside to dry in the sun not only conserves energy but also helps eliminate odors and bacteria.

If you must use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting that is appropriate for the fabric. Overheating clothing can lead to shrinkage, fading, and damage to elastic fibers.

Use dryer balls or tennis balls in the dryer to help fluff and separate items, reducing drying time and preventing wrinkling. Remove clothing from the dryer as soon as the cycle is complete to prevent wrinkles and save energy.

Further Reading: How to Care for Your Clothing

Ironing and Steaming

Ironing and steaming are essential techniques for maintaining the appearance of your clothing.

Ironing

Start by ensuring your iron is clean and free of any mineral deposits. Follow the fabric-specific temperature recommendations on the clothing label. If you’re unsure, start with a lower heat setting and gradually increase it.

Always use an ironing board or a flat, heat-resistant surface to prevent scorching or damaging your iron or clothing. Iron clothing inside out to prevent direct contact between the iron and delicate fabrics.

Use a pressing cloth or a clean cotton fabric to protect delicate fabrics like silk. When storing an ironed garment, hang it up to prevent wrinkles.

Steaming

Steaming is a gentler alternative to ironing and can be used on most fabrics. A handheld steamer is a convenient tool to have. It works by emitting steam that relaxes the fabric and releases wrinkles.

Hang the garment you want to steam on a hanger, and then gently run the steamer over it, holding the steamer head slightly away from the fabric to avoid direct contact.

Steaming is particularly effective for delicate fabrics like silk, which can be easily damaged by the direct heat of an iron. Additionally, it can be used to freshen clothing between washes, eliminating odors and bacteria.

Mending and Repairs

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, clothing can develop wear and tear. Knowing how to mend and make simple repairs can help you extend the life of your favorite pieces.

Identifying Common Issues

Before making repairs, it’s essential to identify the issues your clothing is facing. Common problems include loose buttons, frayed seams, small holes or snags, and loose hems.

Basic Sewing and Repair Skills

Reattaching Buttons: Sewing on a loose or missing button is a straightforward repair. You’ll need a needle, thread that matches the color of the fabric, and a button. Make sure to knot the thread securely and then sew the button back in place.

Fixing Loose Seams: If a seam has come undone, you can mend it by carefully sewing it back together. Use a thread that matches the fabric and sew along the existing seam.

Patching Holes and Snags: Small holes or snags can be patched with matching fabric or with an iron-on patch. Follow the instructions on the patch’s packaging for the best results.

Hemming: Hemming is the process of shortening the length of a garment. It’s a useful skill to have, especially for pants and skirts. Carefully measure the desired length and fold the fabric to create a neat hem. Sew it in place.

Fixing Loose Hems: Loose hems can be reattached using a needle and thread. Make sure the thread matches the fabric to create a seamless repair.

When to Seek Professional Repairs

While you can handle many basic repairs at home, some issues are best left to professionals. This includes complex alterations, significant fabric damage, or high-value garments. If you’re unsure about a repair, consult a tailor or seamstress who can provide expert guidance.

Stain Removal

Stains are an unfortunate but common clothing problem. The key to effective stain removal is to address them as soon as possible.

Stain Removal Techniques

Blot, Don’t Rub: When dealing with a stain, blot it with a clean cloth or paper towel. Rubbing can spread the stain and make it harder to remove.

Pretreat: Apply a stain remover or a homemade solution like a mixture of baking soda and water to the stained area. Gently rub it in and let it sit for a few minutes.

Launder Promptly: After pretreating, wash the clothing as usual. Check for the stain’s removal before drying; heat can set the stain permanently.

Repeat If Necessary: Stubborn stains may require multiple treatments. Be patient and persistent, as some stains can take several attempts to remove completely.

Natural and DIY Stain Removal Solutions

For grease and oil stains, sprinkle talcum powder or cornstarch on the area to absorb the oil. After a few hours, brush it off and treat the stain with a mixture of dish soap and warm water.

Red wine stains can be treated with white wine or white vinegar to neutralize the color before washing.

Ink stains may respond well to rubbing alcohol or hairspray. Apply the solution and blot the stain until it lifts.

Precautions

Before applying any stain-removing solution, test it on an inconspicuous area of the fabric to ensure it won’t cause color fading or damage. Always follow the care instructions on the clothing label.

Seasonal Clothing Rotation

Rotating your clothing with the changing seasons not only keeps your closet organized but also extends the life of your garments.

Importance of Seasonal Rotation

Changing your clothing with the seasons allows you to assess the condition of your items, mend any issues, and properly store off-season garments. It also helps you declutter and donate items you no longer need or wear.

Proper Storage

When transitioning seasonal clothing, make sure your off-season items are clean and free of any stains. Fold them neatly and store them in breathable containers, such as fabric bins or garment bags, to protect against dust, moths, and moisture.

Preparing Clothing for Storage

Before storing clothing, make any necessary repairs, including mending, washing, and ironing. This ensures that your clothing remains in good condition during its time in storage.

Sustainable Practices

The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries globally, and adopting sustainable practices can make a significant difference in reducing its environmental impact.

Sustainable Fashion

Sustainable fashion is a movement that promotes clothing production and consumption with a focus on minimizing environmental and social impacts. It involves making conscious choices when it comes to what you buy, how you care for your clothing, and how you dispose of it.

Thrifting and Secondhand Shopping

One of the most sustainable practices is to buy secondhand clothing. Thrift stores, vintage shops, and online platforms for secondhand fashion provide a wide variety of clothing that’s already in circulation, reducing the demand for new production.

Upcycling and DIY

Upcycling involves transforming old or discarded clothing into something new and trendy. This can be a fun and creative way to extend the life of your clothing. Simple upcycling projects might include turning old jeans into shorts or adding patches to a jacket.

Recycling

When clothing is beyond repair or wear, consider recycling it. Many organizations and clothing brands offer recycling programs that turn old garments into new products or repurpose the fabric for other uses.

Eco-Friendly Detergents and Practices

Choose eco-friendly detergents that are biodegradable and have minimal environmental impact. Washing clothes in cold water, line-drying, and using a high-efficiency washing machine are additional eco-friendly practices that conserve energy and water.

Conclusion

Caring for your clothing and extending its life is not just a matter of preserving your favorite pieces; it’s a statement of responsibility towards the environment and a commitment to reducing the impact of fast fashion. By understanding your fabrics, practicing proper sorting and storage, washing and drying clothing effectively, mending and repairing as needed, and employing stain removal techniques, you can significantly extend the life of your garments. Seasonal rotation and sustainable practices further contribute to a more responsible and eco-friendly approach to fashion. With a little care and attention, you can make your clothing last longer, save money, and reduce your environmental footprint.

[iraempirecom]

Rosland Capital Gold

Rosland Capital, located in Los Angeles, California, is a full-service gold IRA and precious metal investing organization. The company, founded in 2008 by CEO Marin Aleksov, specializes in selling gold, silver, and other precious metal coins and bullion bars.

The organization's main tenets revolve around offering high-quality products, services, and information. In addition to its headquarters in Los Angeles, California, the firm has expanded globally, with offices in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Hong Kong. In this article, we will look into Rosland Capital gold products and other details. For more detailed information, check out: Rosland Capital Reviews

Rosland Capital Gold Products

Rosland Capital provides a wide variety of precious metal goods in different forms, including: - Bars and Bullions:  From reputable firms like the Canadian Mint, USA Mint, and PAMP, they offer genuine quality bars of silver, gold, palladium, and platinum.

- High-end coins:  In order to provide special coin lines, including commemorative coins for organizations, events, and charities, Rosland works with reputable organizations. A couple of notable examples include the $5 Fisher House coin, which benefits military families, and the Formula 1 Coin Collection, which honors Formula 1 drivers, races, and circuits. - Special Partnerships:  To create coins that assist foundations and philanthropic causes, they collaborate with organizations like the Senna Institute and the Williams Racing team. Transparency is Important

The Historically Rising Price of Gold

Since President Nixon decided to end the gold standard in 1971, the cost of gold has increased at a historically unprecedented rate. By December 2021, gold's price had risen from its initial $35 per ounce valuation to approximately $1800 per Troy ounce. Few assets have had outstanding growth over the previous 50 years.

The long-term worth of gold is a major draw, even though future increases may not approach this quick pace. Gold has shown consistency and dependability amidst economic ups and downs, making it a wise choice for investment portfolios. Gold has established itself as a dependable asset deserving of consideration for investors due to its ability to hold value even in challenging economic circumstances. https://youtu.be/7WxgqK3-5Dw

Why Buy Gold?

One thing has stayed true regardless of the state of the economy: gold will always have some value. Since the first Egyptian dynasty, people have regarded gold as precious for its beauty and intrinsic value. Even today, more than 5,000 years later, many people still trust gold. One of the most valuable commodities in the world, gold, has endured the test of time. Tons of gold have been bought by developing nations including Brazil, China, Russia, South Korea, India, and Mexico. Why? A country's wealth has long been safeguarded and preserved by gold; this is also true for individuals with assets, who include gold for the same reasons.

By controlling the risk associated with your asset holdings and using gold to help balance out intrinsically unstable paper assets and currencies, diversification can help you plan for the future of your family. Security could help you safeguard your investments and be ready for when the economy changes and the market becomes unstable.

The Bottom Line 

If someone wants to add precious metals to their retirement portfolios as a way to diversify them, Rosland Capital can be a reliable investment partner. They provide a variety of precious metal products and services and have a history of providing high-quality service and happy customers. Potential investors should carefully study the recommendations made by representatives and be aware of the administration costs. Ensuring a successful investing experience with Rosland Capital involves conducting in-depth due diligence and comprehending its policies. Investing in precious metals can seem difficult. To help you find the best precious metals provider, we have created our top gold IRA companies list.  You can check it out to see what the industry’s best has to offer.  On the other hand, you can also check out the top provider of your state below:  Read the full article

[intertexts]

@misotofu good morning!!!! intaglioland time :3 u Can get an etching/intaglio ink if u want? i don't know a ton abt the texture & quality differences. but. usually what i do is just use my standard relief ink (oil based! i don't know if this works with water-based ink? probably?) and add a tiny bit of this guy:

setswell compound.! if u do this then like. u only have to keep one kind of ink which i think is cool, but it also will take a Long time to go through, so like. shrug. u work in an art store anyway so it probably doesn't matter hugely(that sounds so fun btw). another option though!

other thing i would say is important is having kind of heavy cotton rag paper? this is bcos yr paper needs to be Wet when u print it so it's squishier & can like. squeeze into all the fine lines you've made etc without it Dissolving. yr store probably has a bunch of these lmao but what we use mostly is arnhem 1618 (made by speedball) & its my best friend. so. that too!

i feel like this makes the process sound so complicated lmao but it really isn't! the actual process is like -> u make ur plate (QUICK! EASY! no complicated transferring because plexiglass is clear u can just put ur image/reference directly under it & trace it! use whatever etching needle is cheap & sharp & available. theres literally no difference btwn them its fiine. u dont need a specific Drypoint Needle.) [BEFORE U PRINT! toss ur paper in like, a bowl of water and let it soak for like 15min while u do everything else.) -> ink it -> use a wadded ball of preferably cheesecloth to push the ink into the grooves all the way + wipe the ink off all the flat surfaces so only the lines r inked (u can honestly stop here if u want. it'll make nice atmospheric smoky prints.) + if u want use some paper 2 rub off all the Extra extra ink (this'll make it look cleaner). + yoink ur paper out of the bath + put it on a towel & dry it a little so it's not sopping + paper on top of plate & a couple pieces of scrap paper or smth over top + profit! apparently u can print intaglio with a baren or spoon the exact same way as w/ relief print which is so cool 2 me..... anyway. longer and more complicated process than lino printing? but like. in comparison of how long it takes to do the actual carving process it really evens out i think. & drypoints also look cool as hell :333

salty + im not done working on it but i was too curious :3

[cielhunternorwood]

Artery GERDERMIT PUT SOME PANTS ON GIRL

I guess in order to keep this tumblr existing, I decided to do another summary and review covering another gacha which I've picked up, dropped, and picked up again. I blame Vanguard.

This time, it's Artery Gear, a gacha which apparently has gameplay based on another gacha, Epic Seven. I've never touched Epic Seven, but if the gameplay of AG is anything to go by, then I probably never will. I'll just get right into it.

UI/Graphics: Simple and Consistent/10

The UI is actually pretty okay. It's simplistic in look and easy to navigate. More importantly, it's very responsive. I think the only real issue is the localization for the West leads to some cut-off of words on the menu. The font is simple and easy to read, with no real flourish to it. You can take that as you will, but it's something I'm okay with.

Gameplay: Grossly Imbalanced/10

Here's the biggest problem with Artery Gear: balance. It doesn't exist, and it's more apparent when you do the Exercise mode, which pits your AG team against other players' teams.

It plays as a turn-based RPG where each AG has three abilities (or two if one is passive) to use during their turn for either fighting or supporting the others. The turn order is based on an AG's Speed, and the stats are simplistic in being Attack, Defense, Crit stuff, and Status effect stuff. There is also percentage chance for doing Follow-Up Attacks, basically to back-up an ally strike with a basic bash, and Riposte, which is a counterattack/effect.

The game follows a rock-paper-scissors balance of classes, between grass, fire, and water-- SORRY, IT'S CRYSTAL, MOLTEN, AND THUNDER. And of course there are something like sub-classes, with certain characters being for tanking, some for bashing, some for status effects, and some are healers. So, balancing a four-person team revolves around all of that, and there are a lot of slots for setting teams for any situation.

Okay, that's all the basics of how it works. Now for how imbalanced it is: Speed. Speed and Bonus Turns. If you do any Exercises, you'll come across what are known as "cleave teams", which are basically steroid-induced hyperspeed teams designed to smash in PvP in one turn before there's a chance for counterattack. Even if you manage to survive the first strike, you're more than likely to get turn-delayed by status effects and hit by a second strikes (or the enemy triggers Bonus Turn and gets to attack twice).

This isn't even including just how much even the rarest AGs waffle between barely useful to so insanely broken that they're a must-have for PVP or Raid bosses. And that usefulness is largely based around status effects such as Invincible, Speed Reduction, and Accuracy Down, but also passive skills that do some really broken shit just by someone SNEEZING near the AG.

Even with these imbalances, though, story missions are an absolute slog and require significant grind and leveling to continue, especially when equipment stuff can make or break you. To avoid rambling on anymore, let's just say it's an exhausting experience filled with frustration if you don't min/max, and even then you're going to have troubles abound.

Music: Vanguard Sound/10

GhostFinal. Enough said.

But seriously, the music for Artery Gear comes from Vanguard Sound Studio, who started off doing music for Mica Team in Codename Bakery Girl and moved to Girls' Frontline from there, expanding into Punishing Gray Raven, Aether Gazer, and going so far as to make music for the cyberpunk game Anno: Mutationem.

Suffice to say, their music is amazingly good, and GhostFinal is one of those who works on PGR regularly. So, all the music is good quality-wise, and it all fits with the general tone of AG, which is depressing often but has a tinge of hope here and there. It's part of the reason why I returned to AG after so long: listening to the combat music, which is pretty good. Not the best, but definitely solid.

Character Designs: PUT ON PANTS/10

So here's the worst part of Artery Gear: character designs. If you thought Fate Grand Order had horny as hell designs, well, you definitely won't like the huge number of girls whose only real covering is an armor plate over the vag and the equivalent of metal pasties for the nipples. The designs are insanely nonsense.

All the form-fitting dresses, bodysuits, underboobs, side boobs, cleavage windows, midriff windows, FBI-signaling lolis, and a sparse few decently-dressed girls. This game is super horny, and it's a damn shame because there are some good designs otherwise ruined by flat-out horny detail.

On that note, there are some alterations and censorships for the global version, but it is often inconsistent as there are times when the uncensored is visible on in-battle sprites at random times, or times where the censorship is ONLY on the battle sprite. It's ridiculous how they didn't fix any of that in all this time, and whether one's horny or not, it's obnoxious when the game itself can't keep it together.

Economy: Stingy as fu/10

Okay, let's keep this as brief as possible. You have facilities for generating money and "Cat Orbs" for leveling girls up over time, though the rate is so low. On the plus side, there are grind stages for both, though you only get one run a day that gives huge amounts and further runs just aren't worth the cost.

Speaking of cost, most of that money will go into Gear, the equipment for the girls of which there are six types. They all need lots of money to upgrade to a feasible level, but the upgrade materials themselves are exceedingly rare. You're more likely to use low-level Gear to upgrade than the actual chip things.

And getting Gear means grinding specific boss fight-style stages, though you have to make sure to get not only a gear of a certain set you want but with the main stat you need and good sub-stats to boot. As much as you can transfer sub-stats from one Gear to another, it's also expensive as shit. Overall, you will be hemorraghing money without an excessive amount of grind.

Story: Trying to be Gray Raven/10

So the basic story is there's some kind of virus thing that has hit the world, turning people and robots into Puppets. The only thing capable of fighting Puppets are Artery Gears, girls who are enhanced cybernetically and stuff to fight them. They aren't completely immune to being Puppetized, but they can resist it. And, naturally, the main character that is the player is their Commander (Shikikan for you GFL/PGR players).

You're in charge of a ship tasked with eliminating Puppetmasters for the surviving humanity, and you go around helping other surviving cities or some such. Honestly, I lost track of the story at some point more because it kept dropping characters or plot points in with little context when it wasn't focusing on the "woe is me" stuff with AG girls and all that.

It's that very basic "post-apocalyptic viral infection, only these things can fight it" story that people liken to Nier but has been a thing for some time now (even before God Eater). This story, though, seems to especially take from PGR in a lot of ways, though their flagship characters are pretty forgettable (and also largely useless gameplay-wise). There's a bit of mystery going on with the Commander player, but it's not explored much, and it's nothing like the PGR Commandant thing of "seemingly normal Commander who manages to survive a lot of deadly situations".

Overall: Wasted Potential/10

This is one of those gachas that feels like it had something good at the start and then went too hard into the pandering to the horny player without much thought into making the game fun overall. There are some parts of it that feel like legit effort was involved, but the rest devolves into either shoe-horning or a system falling apart that hasn't been fixed to become more streamlined.

With how people say it's hugely borrowing from Epic Seven, it makes me wonder if it's AG's developers themselves or something carried over from that which is awful. Either way, its current state is disappointing rather than downright bad, and the only saving grace is its hands-off auto-battling makes grinding easier if you have the stamina for it. But if you can get past the grind-heavy gameplay and horny-even-by-gacha-standards designs, it's at least aesthetically pleasing and consistent. Also has some good music.

At least it's better than NIKKE.

[amberfaber40]

Spotty Brights Classroom Decor | BUNDLE - Miss Jacobs Little Learners

Spotty Brights Classroom Decor | BUNDLE - Miss Jacobs Little Learners

Eye-catching and fun, my latest Spotty Brights Classroom decor bundle will add a stylish & vibrant flair to your 2022 Classroom! Made with a mix of B&W spots and a trendy neon rainbow colour palette, this pack is bright yet minimalistic, making it perfect for all year levels and seasons! This polka dot and rain

My Math Resources - Number Words and Base 10 Blocks Posters – Elementary Math Classroom Decor

These number words and base 10 blocks posters will look GREAT on your classroom wall and will really help your students! These math anchor charts are just what you need to help your early elementary students learn math vocabulary!

Learning in Wonderland Classroom Tour - Learning in Wonderland

Welcome to our class! I’ve changed some parts of my classroom this year and I have to say that I’m loving how everything turned out. Please note that this is my 12th year of teaching and I did not create this environment overnight. It’s taken years to accumulate and/or create everything that is in this ... Read More about Learning in Wonderland Classroom Tour

Amazon Favorites for the Classroom

Amazon teacher favorites! If you are looking for some new classroom finds, gere are some to add to your wishlist.

51 Best Classroom Decoration Ideas - Chaylor & Mads

51 amazing classroom decoration ideas including how to create a cozy reading nook, an amazing teacher space, awesome bulletin boards and more!

LEARN Acronym Poster, Growth Mindset, , Printable Motivational Wall Art, School Office, Classroom Decor, Teacher Chalkboard

Printable LEARN acronym Classroom Poster: -reflect -solve -create -grow -think = the pillars of LEARNing!! Great for Teachers and GROWTH MINDSET Classroom Decor! A cute way to add personality to the classroom, school office, hallway and more!Design features bright colors against a faux chalkboard background - prints beautifully! Bright and Inspiring!________________________________________________Note: THIS IS A DIGITAL PRODUCT. NO PHYSICAL ITEM WILL BE SENT TO YOU. INSTANT DOWNLOAD! • Watermark will not appear on your filesYou will receive 5 high resolution 300 dpi files for easy printing: 8x10" jpeg file 11x14" jpeg file 16x20" jpeg file 18x24" jpeg file 24x36" jpeg file Print whichever file size fits your needs!________________________________________________HOW DOES THE ORDER PROCESS WORK FOR DIGITAL ITEMS?It's such A SIMPLE PROCESS:1. Add the item to your cart. 2. Purchase the item. 3. As soon as payment is confirmed, you will be sent a link to download your new PDF File. 4. Download, save, print and enjoy!When printing I recommend using high quality heavyweight paper or cardstock for better results. Otherwise send to a copy shop or photo lab to get great results for cheap! Works great for larger poster sizes.Need Help With Downloading, Or Printing? Click Here________________________________________________Need to get your new file(s) printed?TidyLady Printables has partnered with Prints Of Love which offers fast, high quality, affordable and eco-friendly printing. They also offer free 2-3 day U.S. shipping and free envelopes! Simply follow this link to check them out:https://printsoflove.com/ref/tidylady-printables/Prints Of Love will handle the rest!For every order you place, Prints of Love plants a tree in your name. It is their way of creating a net positive environmental impact with each order! They are proud to be an official Reforestation Partner with their friends at One Tree Planted.________________________________________________*PLEASE NOTE: Files are for PERSONAL USE ONLY. You may not forward, share, sell or distribute the files. Mass production, file sharing and commercial use of these files are strictly prohibited.

Classroom Sign Welcome Teacher Motivational Inspirational Rules Teacher Supplies School Decor Teaching Toddler Kids Elementary Learning Decorations Dark Green Cool Wall Decor Art Print Poster 12x18 - Walmart.com

Welcome Classroom Sign Educational Cool Wall Decor Art Print Poster 12x18 Officially licensed and professionally printed in Austin Texas using premium materials and inks. Educational classroom posters and charts for teachers and home-school supplies make ideal classroom decor for preschool learning the playroom wall decor or even as elementary or kindergarten home-school supplies. From multiplication charts for first grade to alphabet and colour charts for preschool kids these teaching aides will assist learning for any curriculum. There are even growth mindset inspirational posters and classroom rules charts that are available laminated for display or decoration

My Math Resources - Time Conversions Poster – Elementary Classroom Decor

This time conversions poster will look GREAT on your wall and will help your kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade students learn converting units of time!

Meet The Teacher Templates | Editable Modern Boho Plants Decor

With my editable Meet the Teacher template in the popular Boho Plants classroom decor theme, you'll have a gorgeous teacher introduction sheet prepared in no time.

Boho Vibes Classroom Decor Bundle - Desert Neutrals - Miss Jacobs Little Learners

Designed using a muted, neutral-toned colour palette, the resources included in this unique Boho Vibes Classroom Decor Bundle are sure to create a stylish and inviting learning space for your modern 2021 Classroom! In addition to using Australian State fonts for some of the elements such as the Alphabet Posters, Number

My Math Resources - Hello February Bulletin Board Kit – Classroom Decor

This DIY February bulletin board will look BEAUTIFUL in your classroom or school hallway. Great for any school, this is sure to catch everyone's eye!

Let Your Dreams Be Bigger Than Your Fears Positive Poster

Description Inspire and motivate kids of all ages. Brightens any classroom! Poster measures 13 3/8" x 19". UPC: 088231974055

Affirmation Station SPOTTY BRIGHTS | EDITABLE

Create your very own Positive Affirmation Station for your classroom using these vibrant editable spotty brights templates. What is an affirmation? An affirmation is a short phrase that is recited with the purpose of empowering students. How can I implement an Affirmation Station? Teachers have used these editable spot

Boho Classroom Decor Inspiration: My Favorite Modern Boho Themed Class - Miss Jacobs Little Learners

Back to School season will always be one of my favorite times on the calendar! One of the best parts of my MJLL community over on Instagram is seeing first-hand, the amazing boho themed classroom set-ups that teachers all over the world are creating with my modern classroom decor bundles. I try to share as many as I ca

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Check out my new Pastel Classroom Decor full of bright soft colors that are the perfect combination between colorful and calming! Plus, you get a freebie :)

[binart]

Hey, absolutely LOVE your art and I enjoy seeing your comics! Small question, how long does it take for you to make one page? And what is your process?

thank you!!!

THANK U!!!!!!!

it's a decidedly long-ish process and i'M KIND OF WONDERING HOW I MANAGED TO CHURN OUT TWO PER WEEK FOR A WHILE... (it was bad for my mental health i think is how). some artists can do like THREE OR EVEN FOUR PER WEEK!! but i am slow and so it takes me like 4-5 days to make one dfkjhgfdkjg

anyway first step is thumbnailing! that's when you make a tiny comic page and map out where you will have the panels, and what you want in them. also very good to figure out where your text bubbles will be at this stage.

NEXT!! transferring the thumbnail to a regular comic canvas! i like to thumbnail on paper with pencil because i eRASE STUFF A LOT (paneling is hard and i'm still learning), so i take a picture of it and then paste it onto the canvas >w>

NEXT!!! rough sketch phase. the picture quality tends to be jank as hell b/c i'm lazy & refuse to take more than one picture EVEN IF IT'S BLURRY, so i go over everything with a VERY QUICK SKETCH to lay out the same ideas. then I go in with a vector tool to make the panels!!

NEXT!!! Sometimes skipped depending on the page, is any 3D background work if I feel like i need it! which is usually always, because my perspective skills are uh. LACKING. (aND YES IT'LL TAKE LONGER TO LEARN PROPERLY IF I RELY ON 3D TOOLS BUT I DON'T CARE!! I JUST WANT TO TELL STORIES RIGHT NOW!)

this also involves MAKING the 3-d structure which i try to do if i know the scene i want to make is in a moderately complex looking area. it takes.......... so long............................ 3D modelling is hard....

NEXT!! Actual Sketch. This is me figuring out what the characters will look like Proper instead of throwing vague blobs on the page. i have to turn my brain on a higher setting for this part so it's usually a harder step for me. i also like to finish the background lineart by this stage.

NEXT!!! THE DREADED PEOPLE LINEART........ hardest stage. VERY BORING. lack the attention span for this to not be a horrific slog. HAVE TO HAVE SOME FORM OF ENTERTAINING NOISE ON OR ELSE CAN'T COMPLETE.

NEXT!! FLAT COLORS AND SHADOWS! self explanatory! i usually do the background first since it's cooler to watch characters come to life on an already completed BG.

NEXT!!!! Text stuff. Drawing out proper text bubbles, adding in text, changing the colors of the bubbles to match the characters.. this is also where i attempt to add SFX if there are any, and this is extremely difficult for me for whatever reason. STILL LEARNING LMAO.. i also blur stuff if i'm trying to show like... depth at this stage. like making one character blurry so you know they're closer to the "camera" so to speak

NEXT!!!!!!! AND FINALLY!!!! THE BEST PART!!!! Gradients. MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER. FUN TO APPLY. PULLS THE ENTIRE PAGE TOGETHER.

....................hm that's actually quite an involved & difficult process. i am only now realizing that

HM.

[scotianostra]

The Scottish Solicitor and inventor Mungo Ponton was born on November 20th 1801. 

Not heard of him? I have posted about him before, he was the only son of John Ponton, a farmer at Balgreen now part of Edinburgh not far from Murrayfield. 

After leaving school he was apprenticed to the solicitor James Balfour. He was later apprenticed to William Scott and G L Finlay. He himself was admitted to the Society of Writers to the Signet in 1825.

By 1829, Ponton was in partnership with Archibald W Goldie WS, in the firm of Goldie & Ponton.   In January 1838 Mungo Ponton became solicitor to National Bank of Scotland.

But it wasn’t for his work as a lawyer that makes Mungo worthy of a mention in my daily posts. 

By the mid-1840s he was in poor health. He was granted an extended leave of absence in summer 1845, but by winter he was still very unwell. The board granted him another leave of absence in June 1846 so that he could travel to Germany to take the waters. His health did not improve, and in September he wrote to the board from Coblenz, tendering his resignation from the bank.

Mungo Ponton became a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1834. In 1838 he was awarded a silver medal from the Society of Arts for Scotland, for his role in the development of the electrical telegraph. He is best-remembered today, however, for his contributions to photography.

In 1839 he announced his discovery of the light-sensitive qualities of sodium dichromate. These findings were vitally important to the development of photography, paving the way for nearly all the photomechanical processes that later came into standard use.

He continued to experiment with photographic chemistry. In 1845 he was awarded another silver medal from the Society of Arts for Scotland, this time for his development of a process for measuring hourly variations in the temperature of photographic paper. In the same year he also introduced a variation of the calotype process that worked with shorter exposure times.

Ponton never returned to good health after his illness in the mid-1840s. He moved to Bristol, where the climate was milder and thought to be more favourable to health. He gave up his legal and banking career, but maintained his interest in science, publishing numerous further papers on scientific and religious matters.

Mungo Ponton died at home at Clifton on 3rd August 1880. One source says he was buried in Edinburgh, another says  Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol, I’m not sure which to believe, however two of Ponton’s wives, are buried at Saint John Episcopal Graveyard at the West End of Princes, the second was in 1910, which makes me suspect he might have bought a plot there and may be there also.

Want to know more, check the link below

https://photoseed.com/collection/single/mungo-ponton-1801-1880/

[nako-doodles]

Shirley what are your thoughts on the new music and what is your fav new track

absolutely emotionally ravaged!!!! no coherency just screaming!!!!!!!

i cannot explain to you how important it is to me that bts released an anthology album like the legends that they are AND they released their demos like showing us their heart and all their thoughts ✨✨

disclaimer: i know nothing and i have not emotionally physically spiritually metaphysically recovered from this album ✨

born singer - fuck the significance this song has to armys and bts and j cole allowing them to release this song fuck. FCUK. namgi's verses still make me cry. this really is the thesis. the central theme for the tannie's careers and their message. i lokey wish they recorded yoongi's verse to reflect the amount of years that has passed but opening the anthology w this song is so smart of them.....creative team fantastic work.

yet to come - 'best is what comes next you and i the best moment is yet to come' 'we are all about it....dreams hopes and moving forward' ....as someone who struggled into adulthood w hyyh, dream hope forward forward was the mantra that kept me going somedays and i absolutely burst into tears in public hearing it. fuck the message is so good the references are so good the mv is so good the hope the vision SO GOOD..........if born singer is the thesis statement to start their collection of title songs, then yet to come is the conclusion to their thesis paper of where they are heading towards in the future. im so incredibly thankful for bts and their impact in my life

run bts- ROCK BTS I CANT BELIEVE WE DID IT BESTIES WE MANIFESTED IT no notes 110/10 song would loop jin's rock vocals until my last breath thanks for coming to my ted talk

jump demo - wow it sounds both incredibly similar and also completely different i was so shocked when i first heard it!!! im glad they made that violin arpeggio clearer but i havent had a chance to look up the lyrics and what they changed

young love - the piano hook is so pretty and the bar chimes and the bg vocals are so atmospheric. while this song is lovely (hehehe) and it absolutely has that classic bts genre twist i think its getting lost in all of the greats in this album. which really speaks more to how bts stuffed this album w the creme de la creme top state of the art quality music than this song in particular tbh.

boy w luv demo - #bring back jin's husky chest voice 2022 tbh lmfao i see why they didn't add yoongis voice from the chorus chant intro his voice is too distinctive. fine min yoongi. you win. i concede my years long offense was unfounded. i wish they didnt take away some of the extra bg sound effects and the back n forth in the bridge 😔 bby jk sounds so smol w his safe standard riff i want to put him in my pocket for safe keeping 🥺🥺🥺 hobi's hakuna matata verse remains iconique™️

quotation mark - easily one of my fave instrumentals its so well mixed a GIANT kiss for the soundmixer wow the balance bt the melody and the counter and bass and the synth/brass and the lil ornamentations mmMMM. rapline bringing back that school trilogy style back thank you kings. will be hunting down an instrumental to vibe to w telepathy.

inu demo - ive been wanting this for YEARS you hear me????? verse 2 has a better backing than the og and the prechorus is SO nice. i still cant stop laughing at joon's puberty voice in these early demos (this will be a reoccurring theme but is esp funny on joons high notes what did joon do to modulate in program his voice up oh my god)

boyz w fun - TAEEEEEE AHHAHHHAHAHA i love him!!!!! the beat on the chorus is a little lopsided i see why they decided to change the chant. this has always been one of my ULT FAVES so hearing the drafts before is a treat!!!! i wish they kept that electric guitar and joon's eenie meanie minie moo riff and how clear and distinct jin's voice is in the tutti and post-chorus parts

tony montana ft jimin - IVE BEEN WAITING FOR FOR YEARS FOR THIS its such a sexy song im so happy to replace the concert audio version ive been listening to for this that build up to the last chorus is HYPE AS FUCK. i never realized how sick that drum and bass is fuck i cant wait to see it in the concert setlist again. i wish they amp'd up jimin's vers bc this sounds like a concert backing track??? like they expect jimin to sing on top of it????? sthing is missing idk what it is but it feels sandwiched in. also. i also know its a style in rap music to have processed vocals but jimin doesnt need it you know? you compressed his vibrato and timbre too much. but also conversely too much reverb?????? confusing.

young forever rm demo - i wasnt expecting how much this demo would ruin me. i cried immediately the first time i heard it. this is joon's first bby and you can tell from his distinct style of that atmospheric synth thing and hard rap paired w piano. i want to transcribe the piano line SO badly you dont understand

spring day v demo - ANOTHER SONG IVE BEEN WAITING FOR FOR YEARS you can hear tae's melancholic/nostalgic/melody-driven style here clearly god i love his version so much the outro on the chorus w the humming and harder.....vuvuzela??? works surprisingly well. kth1 when?

dna hobi demo - another demo that took me by surprise how much i love it. in fact i love this so much more than the og even tho i know it sounds more jhope than bts. i want him to play this at the music fest. please. IM BEGGING. god its so good. how does hobi keep putting out so much good music i dont get it.

epiphany jin demo - im sure all of you are aware how hard and how long ive wanted this in my hands and jin just never disappoints. idk man jin knows his voice and his strengths very well and i see why this was in the running until the last minute revision. fuck its so good. im sad the leak was real bc i can't experience for the first time again but at the same time hearing the prechorus in context is so magical. his voice is what 1000 thread silk bedsheets feel like to someone who has slept in a pile of hay all their lives feel like.

seesaw flower demo - i love this instrumental i love min yoongi i love his big sexy brain i wish he kept this bassline and the rain and cricket and pipa sounds and the drumline but i do understand that its a little too strong for the vibes and the piano. the bridge is so nice i want a 129048935 hour loop of it thank you. min yoongi will you ever love me enough to give me autumn leaves demo??

still w you acapella - talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before- i love how they just took the file and deleted all of the instrumental lmfao. couldnt they have filled in the empty spaces i thought i broke my laptop 🤣🤣 anyways the harmonies are so sexy mozart has been real silent since this dropped!!!! choral 5 part harmonies could NEVER

for youth - they really ended this album w this absolute GEM!!! they really pulled a whole sea w this huh. the instrumentals the vocals the lyrics the mixing the composition the piano and the strings and the bass line starting the song w army singing young forever in wembly FUCK anyways im emotionally fragile this love song to their armys huh!!! 'youre my best friend for the rest of my life' huh!!!!!! where do i fucking sue for emotional damages huh!!!!!!! jin's syncopated verse is where i live now.

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i love that you can really hear how far into development these songs were before putting them into this album. some, re: heungtan sonyeondan and inu, were put together earlier in development and thus are more rough sketches and minimal 'meat', only there to provide the general idea of what they want. sthing to show bang pd or sthing to wake up the next morning to polish. esp when you compare them to epiphany and spring day, practically full songs w professional sounding instrumentals already. while they are much more polished, you can hear all of the thought sope put into seesaw and dna even you can hear some are clearly midi w their standard settings before recorded w better software/more tinkering or a live band. i think it also speaks to the type of writers they are. joon seems like the type to want things down asap before he goes back to fix things, while yoongi is the type to tinker w sthing making sure its basically perfect before showing it off to the world, and hobi has the minutiae detail work to add things while he goes.

i love this album w all my heart and i love the tannies for showing us their souls their hearts their talents w us 💖