10 Uncommon Rules of Trail Running...

especially if you are trying out a new trail for the first time*

1.  Find a trail suitable for trail running.  Some areas are designated as a quiet sanctuary for wildlife and running is prohibited.  Of course, if you are being chased by wildlife... run like the wind!

2.  Do not freak out if you get mud all over your shoes and possibly your clothes.  Unless you live in a dry climate or your area is going through a drought... there will be mud hiding out somewhere.

3.  Take in the fresh air!  You feel that wind on your face?  It's fresh!  You are running like you were meant to run, through the woods, dodging branches, hunting food in the form of antelope or a fleeing berry bush, you are a survivor!

4.  Don't forget to look down on occasion.  Tree roots will send you sailing!

My phone... sailing.

5.  It's a good idea to have your phone in a waterproof covering of some sort, preferably in a color that doesn't camouflage itself in a woodland environment. This is especially useful after your phone lands 10 feet away from where you fell on your face.

6.  Take time to stop and get random photos of fungi, tree roots, and other natural objects that seem really amazing at the time.

7.  Don't always assume you know where you are going.  Never underestimate just how easy it is to get lost, especially on mountain bike trails that branch off every few feet into countless directions.

8.  Speaking of mountain bike trails, watch out for mountain bikes!  In some situations, it's a lot easier for the hiker/runner/ambler to get out of the way than for the biker to go around you.

9.  Be courteous and respectful, even if others are mocking your bewildered look and bloody knees.

10.  Enjoy your run, even if it turns into more of a jog or a stagger, with lots of photo and GPS breaks!   

*These rules do not include or replace the standard rules of trail running safety!  Obviously, do not run alone in a dangerous area; let people know where you are going; do not run if you have a medical condition without getting the okay from your doctor; do not run in an area that has had sightings of escaped convicts, zombies, wild boar, or unaccompanied teenagers;  do not run in the dark unless you are being supervised by a guide possum;  do not run in or near hunting areas during hunting seasons or Celtic rituals, especially if you have antlers;  and finally, do not run without remembering how awesome you are just for getting outside when you could have used that time to rewatch an old episode of Sherlock.

Magical Universe at the Woodstock Film Festival

After watching Magical Universe dozens and dozens of times while scoring the film, I finally had the pleasure of seeing it on the big screen at the Woodstock Film Festival!  It was wonderful to view it with the filmmaker, Jeremy Workman, and enjoy not only the film itself, but the response of the audience.  I am happy to say that Magical Universe won the AUDIENCE AWARD for BEST DOCUMENTARY (tied with American Revolutionary) and HONORABLE MENTION for BEST DOCUMENTARY JURY PRIZE at the festival!

By the way, that's Jeremy's photo down there, but that wasn't taken at the film festival.  I stole that photo from one of his websites, totally not a Woodstock background.

Jeremy Workman, filmmaker, two-time Emmy nominee

The response from the audience was amazing and it was an incredible experience, just being there.

This is my first film score.  I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to do this, not only score a film but a film that I feel so good about.  Please visit the Magical Universe website to see if it will be playing in your area!

photo from Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

Cozy Crochet

Virginia is a beautiful state, but there are quite a few weeks in the summer that are downright miserable.  When the heat index is 107 and the only creature stirring outside is a hungry mosquito, the last thing one would normally think about is wooly scarves!   Crocheting is actually quite accommodating for indoor, air-conditioned days when the kids are stuck inside reading, practicing their instruments, and ...well... watching way too much My Little Pony (friendship IS magic, by the way).

It was a very long, hot summer!

These scarves are in my Etsy shop.

Of course I had to make a "Rainbow Sash!"

Haunted

Happy Halloween!

"Haunted" song by Karen Altman © 2011, artwork and photography by Karen Altman

Painted Glass

Autumn Splendor

As the season of festivities rapidly approaches, I am starting to focus on painting glassware once again.  Wine glasses, champagne flutes, pilsner glasses, and ornaments are my favorite shiny objects to decorate.   I always use non-toxic paint for painting glassware and bake the items in the oven (325-350 degrees Fahrenheit depending on your oven) for 30 minutes.  À votre santé!

Autumn Splendor

Autumn Leaves

Festive Oak pilsner glasses

Fall: An Etsy Treasury of Color and Sound

The color and splendor of autumn, accompanying my original song, "Fall"...

The Etsy shop owners featured have given me permission, as well as much-appreciated enthusiasm and kindness, to use their artwork in this movie. 

Autumn Tree

by JulieMagersSoulen

Tree Love - Rustic Orange Sunshine through Tree Tops

by NomadicNotebook

Colorful Fall Day

by reniebritenbucher

Fall Maple Cave

by NirvanPhoto

A Walk in the Park

by KimbersFineArt

Miles of Gold

by SimplyLodge

Awakening

by ara133photography

Awaking in the Woods 

by woodenpalette

Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy

by Maximonstertje

Autumn Light

by GeorgiannaLane

Threadleaf Japanese Maple Tree in Autumn

by JoshFriedmanPhoto

Green Hill Country

by matejcadil

Autumn (fall) Colors, Glen Clova, Scotland

by MArthurPhotography

Autumn Landscape

by SharonFosterArt

Autumn Sunset 

by 7venTen

Autumn Ablaze 

by DesignsbyEmpwr

Dark Blood Red Leaves with Gothic Grunge Texture

by SylviaCPhotography

Embracing Autumn 

by srzimmartist

View the treasury on Etsy.

View the treasury on Etsy.

Autumn Spectrum (an Etsy treasury)

The air had a crisp, autumnal quality today, which inspired me to create an autumn treasury on Etsy.  My theme was color, or a spectrum of colors.  As usual, I became way too engaged and spent more time on this than I had planned!  Nonetheless, I am quite pleased with this beautiful collection...

Woodland Cardigan

 My latest crochet project was larger than my usual scarf or bracelet but great fun!  I purchased a pattern for this beautiful cardigan, "The Ermeline Cardigan" from the Etsy shop of the very talented SylvChezPlum .  Of course I always like to add my own twist, but I was able to do so because of the clarity and design of this pattern.  Included in a 23-page e-book with beautiful images and 3 other patterns, this tutorial was worth every penny!  I wanted to add an appliqué to give it a "woodland" theme and I found the most gorgeous appliqué patterns at the Etsy shop of ch1306 .  I used slightly larger needles and yarn to make it usable as a pocket.

photo from ch1306's shop

There are tons of free patterns online for various projects, but I have found over the past few years that in most cases it is worth it to purchase a pattern, usually in the form of an e-book tutorial.  I have quite a few unfinished projects that started out as hopeful sweaters or potential dresses, but after struggling with a pattern that was incomplete or just completely vague, they became spare parts.  Of course, there are many patterns out there that are free and wonderful, but if I want to create something that could be tricky or time-consuming I usually look for reputable sources on Etsy or Ravelry.  There is an art to designing and writing a good pattern and I believe in supporting artists!

photo from SylvChezPlum's shop

SylvChezPlum's tutorial made the entire project enjoyable and I like how she created the layout of the cardigan.  As you can see from the image from her shop (right), her design is more polished.  I tend to add some whimsical elements to my work, mostly to pull the focus toward the slightly absurd and hopefully disguise the fact that my work is often a bit amateur and messy!  She also uses gorgeous, high quality yarn.  As I become more comfortable with this project I will probably move up to better quality yarn.  The kids are already asking for this is in several colors and pretty soon they will both have a brown one just like the one I finished.  Fortunately it is still quite warm so they are not fighting over this one yet!

I added a flower to the end of the hood to disguise a frayed end, made the sleeves flared (just because I love the look), and of course, added that lovely appliqué.  As I was stitching the appliqué to the cardigan, I left the top open to use as a little pocket for various treasures.   I also made the cardigan slightly longer and flared at the bottom.

Needless to say, both SylvChezPlum and ch1306 are on my list of favorite Etsy shops and I will be purchasing more from them.  It's so nice to have finished projects!