Books - 2015

This year I read 91 books setting a new personal best, huzzah!

I'll grant you that there were a lot of graphic novels, but there was also a good dose of nonfiction. GoodReads will say my total is 87 due to some titles not on the site but that also means my pages read count is over 16,000!

Click here for a visual representation of My 2015 Books on GoodReads and various stats.


10 years ago on TTaT: Books - 2005

SuperBetter: A Revolutionary Approach to Getting Stronger, Happier, Braver and More Resilient

89. SuperBetter: A Revolutionary Approach to Getting Stronger, Happier, Braver and More Resilient -Powered by the Science of Games by Jane McGonigal

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Based on the title and cover, this is not a book I would've been drawn to, but a friend told me a bit about the author, her post-concussion experience and approach to recovery, and recommended it. Thanks, Vahid!

What caught my interest is that the effects of playing the game, SuperBetter, have been measured in 2 actual scientific studies. Granted, the sample size of the studies is small for now, but it's promising and received a grant from the NIH. There's a chapter at the end describing the scope and approach of each study.

The rest of the book explains the gameful approach with copious endnotes to other studies about the effects of playing games, strategies to improve one's outlook and resilience. I've read a lot of books on neuroscience so a number of the other studies and concepts mentioned were familiar to me.

The difference with this book is that it gives concrete, simple tasks to apply or activate the benefits that have been discovered within the framework of a game.

I'm not entirely sold on the idea, but even so the power ups (quick things you can do to boost your energy and attitude) and mental reframing strategies seem really useful.

Improving one's mental, physical, emotional, and social* resilience is a worthy aim that this book has a strategy for. (*Building a supportive network of allies you can rely on.)

As self help books go, this one has loads of science and research behind it and many practical steps you can take. Ultimately, I suspect what you'll get out of it is what you're willing to put into it.


5 years ago on TTaT: 57. Bridgman's Book of 100 Hands

Life of Art SitRep #307 Xmas Edition

Merry Christmas, Santa! (Surely on his rounds by now.) And also happy holidays to you, dear reader, or a lovely winter/summer interlude, however you may celebrate. :)

This week I...

Finished creating the collection of Navy Polka Dots on Light Blue products:

Navy Polka Dots on Bright Blue iPhone 6/6s Case Tough iPhone 6 Case by RocklawnArts
Shop for another Zazzle iPhone 6 Case

Navy Polka Dots on Sky Blue iPad Air 2 Folio Case by RocklawnArts
View Vegan leather Cases online at zazzle

Playful Navy Polka Dots, Light Blue Laptop Sleeve by RocklawnArts
Look at Zazzle Laptop Sleeves

Rocklawn Arts blogged New Navy Polka Dots on Light Blue pattern.

Shot a few video clips.

Finished updating descriptions and tags for the rest of my Fabrics.

Created a Bold Custom Fabrics collection:

Bold Custom Fabrics
by Claire E. Skinner

Finished watching free excerpt download “File Organization and Lightroom Workflow Overview” from The Complete Lightroom Workflow with Jared Platt AKA The Ultimate Lightroom CC Workflow with Jared Platt from Creative Live.

Know of any good posts/videos for how to get your photo file structure in order before importing to Lightroom for the first time?

Best wishes to you this season!


5 years ago on TTaT: If you celebrate...

For those of us without winter splendor...

For anyone, like me, who is without snow for their winter revels, here's a photo from several years back:


Make some noise!
9 years ago on TTaT: I hate my printer

Life of Art SitRep #306 Polka and the Archive

Finished adding my new Sky Blue Polka Dots on Navy pattern to a select group of items and cross-linked a number of related products in their descriptions:

Sky Blue Polka Dots on Navy Thank You Card by RocklawnArts
Design your own card at Zazzle

Bright Blue Polka Dots address labels by RocklawnArts
Design a customized return address label at zazzle

Sky Blue Polka Dots on Navy – Medium Postage Stamps by RocklawnArts
Make stamps with photos from zazzle.com.

White Outlined Sky Blue Polka Dots on Navy Pillow by RocklawnArts
Browse other pillow designs on Zazzle.

Rocklawn Arts blogged New Sky Blue Polka Dots on Navy pattern.

Created the inverse of the above pattern, Navy Polka Dots on Light Blue, and started adding it to select items in my shop. Here's a sneak peek:

Dark Blue Polka Dots on Sky Blue Pillow by RocklawnArts
Check out more Zazzle Pillows

Sky Blue Spiral Notebook with Navy Polka Dots by RocklawnArts
Browse Navy and light blue Notebooks online at Zazzle.com

Navy Polka Dots on Light Blue – Small Stamp by RocklawnArts
Create unique customized us postage stamps at Zazzle

Navy Polka Dots on Light Blue Birthday Card by RocklawnArts
Make a card on zazzle.

More items will appear in my shop in the days to come.

Reorganized my store some, swapped out several category images and changed the featured collection to Distinctive iPhone 6/6s cases:

Distinctive iPhone 6/6S Cases
by Claire E. Skinner

Figured out how to batch process images in Photoshop instead of doing it from Bridge and caught up on 8 months of backlogged photographs, huzzah! Well, not caught up in the sense of being ready to post them, but it's progress.

Updated LOA, links files.

How was your week?


10 years ago on TTaT: Higher altitude

Life of Art SitRep #305 Dots!

Caught up on a few things this week and delved into a bit of new.

Firstly, backed up my computer, both locally and offsite. When was the last time you backed up?

Also made some repairs to an old sculpture of mine.

Created a new pattern, Sky Blue Polka Dots on Navy, and started adding it to some products in my shop:

Sky Blue Polka Dots on Dark Blue iPhone 6/6s Case Barely There iPhone 6 Case by RocklawnArts
Find another Zazzle iPhone 6 Case

Sky Blue Polka Dots on Navy iPad Air 2 Folio Case by RocklawnArts
See other Protective Cases at zazzle

Sky Blue Polka Dots on Navy Wrapping Paper by RocklawnArts
See more Sky blue polka dots navy Wrapping Paper

Sky Blue Polka Dots on Navy Grosgrain Ribbon by RocklawnArts
See some great Blank Ribbon at Zazzle

Light Blue Polka Dots on Navy Pocket Journal by RocklawnArts
Check out Light blue and navy Journals online at zazzle

Light Blue Polka Dots on Dark Blue Fabric by RocklawnArts
Shop now for Fabric

How was your week?


6 years ago on TTaT: My cold, it's good for this at least

The Khaaaaaan! equivalent of LDBC

After 4 for 4 wins in the Little Drummer Boy Challenge, my streak came to an abrupt end last night while watching Arrow.

The silver lining is that I may now venture forth with abandon into venue's playing holiday music.

So close to 5 beautiful wins, argh!


10 years ago on TTaT: A bit of business from last year...

Life of Art SitRep #304 December!

Here we are in December once again. I hope y'all have had a good week.

I've been a bit under the weather, so I focused my efforts on promoting my designs and photography in my shop, Rocklawn Arts. Fortunately, that's what I should've been doing anyway this past week.

Follow me on Twitter @RocklawnArts for the latest.

Christmas Wrapping Supplies
by Claire E. Skinner

Updated descriptions, titles, and tags for Blue Bokeh.

Started creating a new pattern.

Read/finished reading Popular Photography Dec. and Sept. 2015 issues.

How was your week?


9 years ago on TTaT: Cheapest coffee in LA and other [mis]adventures

Life of Art SitRep #303 Black Friday

This week, among other things, I am thankful for Google Translate which has been enabling me to answer product questions from a foreign language speaker. I'm growing fond of Swedish.

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving if it's something you celebrate. If not, I wish you good food and company.

Stop by my shop, Rocklawn Arts, to check out the big Black Friday sale:

Up to 65% OFF with code: ZAZBLKFRIDAY
Finally I have something more tangible to share with you. I created two new complementary patterns this week:

Mint Green Polka Dots on Maroon Christmas Pattern:

Mint Green Polka Dots on Maroon Feliz Navidad Card by RocklawnArts
Find more note cards online at zazzle.com

Sophisticated Christmas Polka Dots – Medium Postage Stamp by RocklawnArts
Look at Mint green polka dots maroon Stamps online at Zazzle.com

Christmas Gift Checklist Polka Dot Pocket Journal by RocklawnArts
Look at more journals at Zazzle

Mint Green Polka Dots on Maroon Christmas Paper Wrapping Paper by RocklawnArts
Shop for Mint green polka dots maroon Wrapping Paper online at Zazzle.com

Christmas Polka Dots Large Print Playing Cards by RocklawnArts
Find more Mint green polka dots maroon Playing Cards at Zazzle

and Textured Maroon Polka Dots on Mint Green:

Textured Maroon Polka Dots on Mint Green Wine Box by RocklawnArts
Browse Hostess Wine Gift Box

Dark Red Polka Dots on Mint Green Ribbon Satin Ribbon by RocklawnArts
View more Textured polka dots Ribbon

Outlined Dark Red Polka Dots on Pale Green Square Sticker by RocklawnArts
Find other Outlined dark red polka dots Stickers at zazzle.com

Textured Maroon Polka Dots on Mint Green Gift Wrap by RocklawnArts
View other Maroon polka dots mint green Wrapping Paper

Rocklawn Arts blogged New Textured Maroon Polka Dots on Mint Green pattern and New Mint Green Polka Dots on Maroon Christmas Pattern.

Finished updating descriptions, titles, and tags for Adobe Passageway.

Updated links and LOA.

How was your week?


10 years ago on TTaT (and 10 years before that): 10 Years Ago: Old Age and Permanent Ways

Thanksgiving Haiku VII

Table leaves are in
Tasty smells waft through the house
Be thankful and eat.

Eleven cars parked
next door for Thanksgiving. My
neighbors are social.
Feel free to share your own Thanksgiving haiku in the comments!

Thanksgiving haiku highlights of years past:

Thanksgiving haiku: Back to the Past (Original post includes the #TBT appropriate image described.)
Teenagers lined up
for a Thanksgiving portrait
many years ago.
Thanksgiving haiku: Back to the Future
DVR'ing the
parade for the first time.
No host banter-- yea!
The return of Thanksgiving haiku
Happy Thanksgiving!
Balloons in Macy's parade
are my favorite

Tofurkey haiku
Vegetarians:
tofurkey substitute, so
many side dishes!

2nd Annual Thanksgiving Haikuathon
What's up with mincemeat
pie? No meat? I might like it
if not for its name.

Thanksgiving haiku
Dad is shoveling
while Mom is throwing snowballs
up at my window.

Click through to see more haiku in the past posts and in their comments.

Happy Thanksgiving!


10 years ago on TTaT: More haiku- it is addictive

Whole Body Barefoot: Transitioning Well to Minimal Footwear

81. Whole Body Barefoot: Transitioning Well to Minimal Footwear by Katy Bowman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I've read a couple of her other books (Move Your DNA and Every Woman's Guide to Foot Pain Relief), but I like the simplicity and clarity of this one best.

All the exercises and alignment photos throughout the book are included again at the end so you don't have to flip through to find stuff. Also included is a reference list of minimal footwear options for women, men, and children.

The photos could be better, but I suspect improving the print quality would greatly increase the price of the book. It's a reasonable trade-off.


10 years ago on TTaT: Thanksgiving haiku

Life of Art SitRep #302 Tallyho!

This week may not look like much, but I feel good about getting back to creating. I started working on a new pattern, testing out various elements. Hopefully that will be up soon.

Also created a Distinctive iPhone 6/6S Cases collection:

Distinctive iPhone 6/6S Cases
by Claire E. Skinner

Rocklawn Arts blogged New Distinctive iPhone 6/6S Cases Collection.

Updated descriptions, titles, and tags for Rainbow Fabrics, Adobe Corridor, started on Adobe Passageway. Also did some more basic passes on several others.

How was your week?


10 years ago on TTaT: It wasn't in there

Doctor Who: The Forgotten

80. Doctor Who: The Forgotten by Tony Lee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The art's not my taste but I really enjoyed this stand alone story featuring the 10th Doctor (David Tennant's). The dialogue feels true to all of the characters that appear.


10 years ago on TTaT: It's pouring

The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less

79. The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book delves into the psychological and emotional effects of having more and more options to choose from. I was familiar with the basic premise but this dug deeper into it, even relating it to the significant increase in depression over the years.

I might've given it a four but I'd already read about most of the studies he referenced in other books. While those books were more about how the brain works or decision making, this one focuses on the effects of the process we use to choose.

He argues that the plethora of options we have ultimately makes us less satisfied with our decisions.

The final chapter proposes suggestions for limiting your choices and ways to feel better about the ones you make.

Well worth a read.


10 years ago on TTaT: sleep-tussle? and Tidbit

Life of Art SitRep #301 Promotion

Last week I wrote, "Oh the lists I need to make. Or add to. And then accomplish. Which sadly don't directly translate to a life of art but will ultimately facilitate it. I hope."

When I linked to it on Twitter, I had an epiphany. I needed one big list rather than lots of little ones on scraps of paper.

So I made one big list grouped in sections and started checking steps off. Very nearly done.

On the art front this week, most of what I did was promote my Veterans Day Sale: here on TTaT, on my Rocklawn Arts blog, and on Twitter.

I set some items in my shop to direct only.

Shot 9 photos.

Updated descriptions and tags for Abstract Photo Fabrics and Christmas Fabrics.

How was your week?


10 years ago on TTaT: All you have to do to sell it is commit

Save Big during the Rocklawn Arts Veterans Day Sale

If you've ever been interested in buying something from my shop Rocklawn Arts or are new to it, now is a great time to take advantage of the large Veterans Day sale going on:

60% off Cards, Calendars, and Canvas Prints
45% off Coasters, Ornaments, Lamps, Mugs, and Clocks
35% off Fleece Blankets, Kitchen Towels, Binders, and Throw Pillows
20% off everything else including Cases, T-shirts, Serving Trays, and Wallets

Use code: ZVETDAYSALES

Offer is valid through November 11, 2015 at 11:59PM PT.

Get 1 year of unlimited free standard shipping by signing up for Zazzle Black when you check out. This offer is only available for a limited time, so make use of it while you can.

Here's a link to all of my designs and photographs which you can sort by product type under the Department dropdown menu.

And here are some curated collections:

Cool Custom Calendars
by Claire E. Skinner

Winter Holiday Cards, Stamps, Labels, and Seals
by Claire E. Skinner

Red and Green Geometric Pattern Christmas Cards
by Claire E. Skinner

Stylish iPhone 6/6s Plus Wood Cases
by Claire E. Skinner

Vegan Leather iPad Air 2 Cases
by Claire E. Skinner

Thank you for your interest. I hope you enjoy the sale!


10 years ago on TTaT: tip of the week

Life of Art SitRep #300 Rearranged

Oh the lists I need to make. Or add to. And then accomplish. Which sadly don't directly translate to a life of art but will ultimately facilitate it. I hope.

Which is to say I've been a bit sidetracked again this week. Hopefully it'll all be sorted next week. Which sounds like it might miraculously take care of itself but alas depends upon me determining what must be done and then doing it. Solopreneur, yay! ;)

This week, I...

Created Vegan Leather iPad Air 2 Cases collection:

Vegan Leather iPad Air 2 Cases
by Claire E. Skinner

Revised an address label:

Light Blue And Black Meander return address labels by RocklawnArts
Find more Light blue Labels at Zazzle

Added monograms to some more Geometric Christmas Wreath products:

Geometric Christmas Wreath on Sage with Monogram Bicycle Playing Cards by RocklawnArts
Check out more Holiday Playing Cards at Zazzle

Modern Christmas Wreath with Monogram Ornament by RocklawnArts
See other Geometric christmas wreath Ornament

Geometric Christmas Wreath Magnet with Monogram by RocklawnArts
Design custom round magnets on zazzle.

Geometric Christmas Wreath with Monogram Mug by RocklawnArts
Browse Geometric christmas wreath Mugs

Rearranged my store Rocklawn Arts for the holiday season and changed the featured collection to calendar magnets:

Handy 2016 Calendar Magnets
by Claire E. Skinner

Revised descriptions and tags for a bunch of return address labels and culled some.

Updated LOA for end of month.

How was your week?


10 years ago on TTaT: prequel to the sequel?

Unintentionally Perfect

Dad asked me to indicate thumbs up or down if the medication I'm taking is helping my laryngitis. With a flat hand I waggled it in the middle and then shifted to a slight thumbs up.

Then with some difficulty I said, "Hard to say."

Unintentionally the most perfect thing I could've said.


10 years ago on TTaT: Spawn of the ladybug

Life of Art SitRep #299 Abridged

Hola, gentle readers! Mostly behind the scenes efforts again this week. A bit derailed switching to another computer and figuring out which files will open and which won't and what I need to go back and export.

Shot 97 photographs.

Uploaded 10 media files (product photos) to my store.

Made Christmas Wreath with Monogram Holiday Party Plate Porcelain Plate (added monogram), also updated sticker with monogram.

Christmas Wreath with Monogram Holiday Party Plate Porcelain Plates by RocklawnArts
See other party plates

Christmas Wreath Envelope Seals, Custom Monogram Classic Round Sticker by RocklawnArts
See other Geometric christmas wreath Stickers

Remade Underwear Out To Dry card to fix an issue.

Underwear Out To Dry Thank You Card by RocklawnArts
Browse more Out to dry Cards

Added coordinating links for gift wrap, ribbon, tissue paper, stickers to descriptions for Black Quadrilateral Stripes on White with Monogram, Red and Green Gingham Pattern, and Geometric Christmas Wreath.

Added coordinating links for cards, stamps, return address lablels, stickers to descriptions for Geometric Christmas Wreath.

Watched Zazzle Chat - "Designing for New Holiday Products".

Finished reading Popular Photography June 2015 issue.


10 years ago on TTaT: Closet thoughts