#cookie jar rose propagation

[artbyisabelh]

Propogation in a Jar - Update

I’ve been eagerly anticipating sharing this update, but I had to undergo cervical spine surgery which set me back a bit. Upon returning home from the surgery, I noticed some roots peeking through the soil. I had my daughter relocate the jar with the growing plants into my study so I could observe them closely. Despite the challenges, here’s the outcome: out of the 10 plants I placed in glass…

[love-takes-work]

San Diego Comic Con 2016 Zine, Lauren Zuke & Mira W. - Outline & Review

Sometimes special little comics are distributed at conventions, and San Diego Comic Con in 2016 was no exception.

A limited-edition print run was organized for a charming little book of comics by Mira W. and Lauren Zuke, with Missy Peña's Gem covers in designs inspired by Garnet, Amethyst, or Pearl. It was distributed officially through Kaboom. They only made of 250 for each cover.

Here they are.

The content inside each is identical except the comics are printed in different color inks.

As you can see, one is bolder and much more easily readable. It's Garnet's zine. I will be taking the rest of my illustrations for this post from that copy for this reason.

Now, you can find the entire content of the SDCC 2016 zines online in better quality than I am offering here--this blog is to outline and review the content, not reproduce it entirely, but I'll give you the general idea. Here's a list of the mini strips, with explanations and a few illustrations:

• Step By Step Guide to Propagation: Steven teaches you to care for plants by spitting on them.

• Selfie!: Garnet takes a group pic, but it only contains the corner of her hair.

• Get Dehydratin': Pearl makes raw flax and date cookies. Amethyst hates them.

• So Spoiled!: Garnet kisses Steven and accidentally transfers Future Vision, spoiling him on the season finale of his favorite show.

• Responsible Earth Citizens: Peridot and Lapis sarcastically play house and laugh at how nothing applies to them.

• Never Gets Old: Ruby can't stop giggling while holding hands with Sapphire.

• ...A Fast Food AU.: Lapis works at Burger Universe as a tired fast food clerk. Pearl is an angry customer, Peridot is assistant manager, and Amethyst eats on the job. Lapis gets fired.

• Bowled Over: Lapis is out after work being annoyed at the bowling alley.

• Peridot's Guide to C.P.H.: Peri outlines the show's seasons and critiques it. The comic has a couple typos.

• Beach Day at Beach City: The Gems and Connie hang out but Amethyst gets crabs in her hair and Connie and Steven make a bad sandcastle.

• In Your Mind's Eye(s): Garnet relaxes on the beach imagining Ruby and Sapphire playing volleyball.

• Love For Lion: Steven names the best parts of Lion, cutesy style.

• Just Bein' Happy: Amethyst has down time.

• Flies of Life: Steven shows Peridot how to catch fireflies in a jar. Peridot is amazed and Lapis doesn't like it.

• How to Draw the Zuke Way: Lauren gives pointers on how to draw SU characters and admits to not being able to draw Steven.

• Actual Fusion Cuisine: Steven awakes horrified from a dream in which he accidentally fuses with his spaghetti.

• Fusion Poutine: Peridot dreams about Percy from C.P.H., then dreams of fusing with him and becoming spaghetti.

• All You Can Do: Pearl does laundry while missing Rose.

Overall, the comics are super cute and silly--little moments with the characters that feel more like fan works than official content. It's really fun to imagine that the creators who worked on the show, like Lauren Zuke, want to play with the characters in fannish ways too, just like a lot of us do.

Some of the drawings are ripe for making into blog headers and profile pics because they're just so cute and relatable.

The zines are very rare now and you probably won't be able to find the hard copies, but the content is very easy to find and read online!

[SU Book and Comic Reviews]

[artbyisabelh]

Propagation in a jar

First and foremost, I must commend Backyard Paradise for their exceptional demonstration of a very aesthetically pleasing method of propagating roses. In my opinion, this is the most beautiful way to propagate roses. Since I can remember, I have enjoyed the process of growing plants from seeds or cuttings. I find it to be a delightful challenge, observing the stages of the seed or cutting as it…