Today on Dracula Daily: Rest in Pieces poor Jonathan’s shaving mirror, yeeted before it’s time!

I had a lot of fun with this upcycle project. I especially enjoyed the handle, which I dry brushed to get a more convincing wood look. The mirror paint was a little finicky, but the end effect was not bad. Looking back now I wish I went for a more gothic lettering for the back though. Overall it was a fun, yet time consuming project.

I made this awhile back, however, it is relevant again since Dracula Daily is back and Jonathan is once again on his way to Castle Dracula.

"We left in pretty good time, and came after nightfall to Klausenburgh. Here I stopped for the night at the Hotel Royale. I had for dinner, or rather supper, a chicken done up some way with red pepper, which was very good but thirsty. (Mem. get recipe for Mina.) I asked the waiter, and he said it was called “paprika hendl,” and that, as it was a national dish, I should be able to get it anywhere along the Carpathians."

— Dracula, Bram Stoker

For the recipe follow this link: https://www.flapperpress.com/post/dracula-s-paprika-chicken

And to see me try it out watch the video below:

I wrote a parody for the 1967 Spider-man theme, which is the most iconic theme for the character. It was used for Homer Simpsons Spider-Pig parody, and was used in the Toby McGuire films.

I can read sheet music, not well or fast, but I can read it, however I didn’t what to have to purchase sheet music so I followed the video below to learn how to play the melody.

I did four years of music in Highschool, three years of which I was in the advanced choir, and one year in beginners bell. Piano was not the main goal of the class though about a month of each semester, during the dead space after concert season, was dedicated to playing the keyboard. It was a learn at your own pace kind of thing where we each got a mini keyboard and a piece to play. The first few were only half sheets, but as you advanced the pieces got longer and more complex. When you felt comfortable playing your current piece you got in line and played it for the teacher, then it was pass or fail. If you passed the teacher would give you the next piece, if you failed you go back to your seat in shame to practice more based on the critic given.

This experience came in handy during undergrad when I had a quarter of music appreciation. It was a required GE course and luckily we had to play piano unlike my big sis who had to buy a recorder when she took the class. I was already comfortable around the instrument and could passably read sheet music without much review. I played really slowly to make sure I hit all the right notes, but the point was that I was on beat. The teacher embarrassed me, when he had the whole class stop to hear how I played, as many other students had a rushing problem. The most important thing, he said, was to be consistent, I played the whole thing slowly, whereas others would play some parts fast and then slow down on the harder parts.

Now, I haven’t played a piano or keyboard seriously since this class and the college is not even on quarter system anymore it’s been so long. I am extremely rusty and so I only played the main part of the song, though with technology I hope to release a full length AMV for the parody I wrote in honor of Spider-Chan (Kumoko) from The 2015 Manga, 2021 Anime series So I’m a Spider, So What? She mentioned a certain web-slinger and switched to his color palette, which inspired me to write a parody of the theme for her.

Spider-chan, Spider-chan Does whatever a spider can Spins a web, any size Catches skills, just like flies Look out! Here comes the Spider-chan

Is she strong? That’s a yes She’s got Isekai OP-ness Can she swing from a web Take a look overhead Hey, there! There goes the Spider-chan

Where the monsters dwell She runs, builds, dodge, and climb Finds a fresh new hell Earns new skills just in time

Spider-chan, Spider-chan Friendly neighborhood Spider-chan Fight or flight, she’ll survive Earning skills is her drive To her, life is a great big bang up Wherever there’s a hang up You’ll find the Spider-chan

I decided to try chocolate coating some fruit, to varying degrees of success. The strawberry roses turned out great and the banana sunflower was not completely unfortunate looking. Candy melts, however, remain my kitchen nemesis, but one of these days I will get it right. So overall, though some things came out better than others, I imagine that they will at least taste fine, therefore I will be considering this a win!

I have been working with candy melts to varying degrees of success with It's the Witching Hour Somewhere, however they remain my kitchen nemesis! These were from the My Bloody Valentine collection, which I am most proud of.

My cat Autumn tried to help with this one, bless his little heart; for some reason he likes to try at eat my pencil when I draw. Anyways this project has been on the idea list since practically the first time I saw Lego Movie 2 on TV (I don't go to the movies often since they can be pricey, I need my popcorn and soda!) Since she is so tiny, being a mini piñata and all, the base color layer and the fringe was a bit of a struggle. She was worth it though! Overall, I am very happy with the results and that is the important thing.

While the basket as a whole was a mess, the bunny topper, though broken, was too precious to toss. I typically dislike covering a nice wood grain so this makeover was a great opportunity to test out a DIY wood stain recipe I saw online. I know the internet is full of lies and misinformation, but vinegar and watercolors worked pretty well for my little bunny friends, so thanks internet!

The brown and green worked especially well, though the pink for the ears was pretty good too. I tried to lighten the right side bunny, which sort of worked, but I'm not too sure it really did anything.

3rd year anniversary of my Aunts passing. She was my last Aunt and my favorite, no offense to her sisters, all offense to my Dad's sister!

Anyways, I took a note that she had written and used it to make a composite with a water feature photo I had taken at my local park.

I gave a flower pot a bit of a glow up. It was already Green Lantern themed so I decided to roll with that. I'm pretty happy with the result though I did make a few mistakes here and there.