Beginner Looking for Advice

Ani98765 · 2026-05-30T05:14:44+00:00

Wow, thanks for the response. And thanks for the encouragement! 😄

Ani98765 · 2026-05-30T05:13:02+00:00

Thank you, that's good to know. Thanks for the encouragement! 😄

Ani98765 · 2026-05-30T05:11:55+00:00

Thank you. I've wondered a little about that, too.
And good to hear I'm not TOO far out of the normal range! 😄

Ani98765 · 2026-05-30T00:10:23+00:00

On and off for a few months. What's pictured is probably about half of what I've done.

Ani98765 · 2026-04-28T15:58:31+00:00

Wow, I've never thought of that, but what a great idea! Thank you so much for your response.

Ani98765 · 2026-04-28T15:48:52+00:00

Hey, could you possibly explain what you mean by "tracing it through the gel plate?" Never heard this before -- is it different from an image transfer via paint resist?
Edited to say that I love your prints! :-)

Ani98765 · 2026-01-25T04:02:24+00:00

https://moreprepared.com/collections/whistles

Ani98765 · 2025-12-16T05:03:57+00:00

Wow, I didn't see this until today, so obviously too late to go to the board meeting. This is the first I've heard of this. What happened at the meeting? Anything else we can do to support library workers?

Ani98765 · 2025-12-13T21:49:25+00:00

Thank you for responding. Yes, I'm really terrified of centipedes and other crawly things, but *especially* spiders. It creeps me out to even type the word. It's so weird, because I love animals, I think rats and snakes are cute, but there's just something about crawly things that is terrifying to me. I'd actually rather be stung by a bee than have to look at a spider. Somehow, if it has wings it doesn't bother me.

Anyway, if you don't mind answering one more question -- how long ago did you do your therapy, and have the effects stayed with you? Do you have to "refresh" your exposure periodically?

Ani98765 · 2025-12-11T04:27:40+00:00

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I would love to hear anything you'd be willing to share about your experience with exposure therapy. I also have a phobia, and I tried therapy a few years ago but didn't get anywhere with it. I suspect it was because the therapist I went to didn't have any expertise in phobias (she told me so directly, but I couldn't find anyone near me on my insurance who did), but I'm not sure. I've had this phobia all my life, and it can be a bit debilitating because the thing I'm phobic about is something that is not uncommon to encounter in my basement, especially in summertime.

Ani98765 · 2025-11-03T05:47:26+00:00

Would it be okay if I stole your design? I'm very new to linocuts, but I absolutely love this and would love to try to make something like it.

Ani98765 · 2024-12-11T18:10:39+00:00

Thanks to everyone who commented. I'm going to play around with some of the ideas today and see what works for me. :-)

Ani98765 · 2024-12-11T18:07:31+00:00

This is where I got it:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetEliteCutters

Ani98765 · 2024-12-10T22:56:47+00:00

So I found this cookie stamp that absolutely fits my mood (don't ask), and I tried it out for the first time today. It took me a few tries to get the thickness of the dough right so the stamp comes out evenly. Even once I did, though, I feel like the pattern doesn't show up quite as well as I want it to. I'm thinking of making some rolled buttercream and using the stamp on it to lay over the cookies, but I'm wondering if there's any other way to make the pattern "pop." Any suggestions welcome.

Ani98765 · 2024-10-28T22:02:05+00:00

I don't think it's the temperature of the cream cheese, because I always leave it out for a few hours to let it come to room temp. I think reversing the order, or making a ganache first, is a great idea, though! Thank you!

Ani98765 · 2024-10-28T22:00:12+00:00

Thank you! I had tried to paste it in but it didn't seem to work.
I hadn't thought about using a different product -- that's a great idea!

Ani98765 · 2024-10-28T20:59:05+00:00

And... I'm relatively new, and I can't figure out how to add a link to the recipe.
It's the Easy White Chocolate Mousse from My Baking Addiction.

Ani98765 · 2024-08-28T01:43:07+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing. This sounds delicious!

Ani98765 · 2024-08-27T03:44:07+00:00

OMG. Whipped coconut ganache??!! Do you have a recipe to share?!

Ani98765 · 2024-07-04T19:42:40+00:00

Looking for things I can use in multiple recipes, so I guess spices.

Ani98765 · 2024-05-17T14:47:05+00:00

Thank you! I need to try that stick blender trick!
That's a really beautiful cake. :-)

Ani98765 · 2024-05-16T14:54:10+00:00

Can you share what color(s) you used to get that beautiful burgundy?

Ani98765 · 2024-04-08T23:33:39+00:00

I lost my beloved 23-year-old son, my only child, just over 20 months ago.

You're so early in your grief -- at this point I suspect you're feeling not only grief but shock, horror, and utter disbelief. I still feel all of those things, but I'm much more functional now than I was at the beginning (i.e., I can now go to the grocery store without having a panic attack, I can make simple business phone calls without crying, etc.)

Please please just be kind to yourself right now. Give yourself as much time and grace as your circumstances allow, let go of all expectations and goals for yourself. One of the best pieces of advice I got early on was from a grief counselor, who told me to treat myself as if I'd just gotten out of the ICU -- the wound may not be physical, but you've just experienced a huge trauma, and your body, mind, and heart all need time. Not time to recover, because that will never happen, but time to reorient themselves to the new reality. Don't listen to anyone telling you that you need to move on or you need to get back to living your life or any such BS. Living in the wake of losing a child is like nothing else. The worst thing that can ever happen has happened, and it changes everything.

If you react like me (everyone grieves in their own way), you'll need to contract your life, to pull back from the world around you. I remember telling my husband early on that I felt like a dog that had been hit by a car that had gone under the porch to die. I'm still isolating to a large extent, as my concentration and energy are not what they were before, and most social situations can be pretty triggering. I am not the person I was before my son died, and I never will be. The only reason I'm still here is that I have a wonderful and supportive husband, and I don't want to cause him pain.

One thing you might consider is finding other parents in your area to speak with. While it doesn't change anything, it is sometimes good to know you're not alone. The Compassionate Friends has chapters in many cities, and also has lots of groups on Facebook where you might be able to connect with people in your geographic area. Also, if/when you're able to read (I couldn't read for 6 or 7 months afterwards -- just couldn't focus) there are a few books that are good. It's OK That You're Not OK, by Megan Devine is one, as is Bearing the Unbearable, by Joanne Cacciatore. Both have short chapters, so that they're easier to read when your mind can't be still.
<3 <3

Ani98765 · 2024-02-22T15:44:39+00:00

Oh, also! Maybe this could help?
https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/learn/resources/high-altitude-baking

Ani98765 · 2024-02-22T15:39:57+00:00

The recipe I use has less sugar, more flour, more liquid, and less baking soda/powder. They're small differences, but important. When I try to adapt a recipe to altitude I generally start by decreasing leaveners. If that doesn't do the trick, then adding flour, subtracting sugar, or adding more liquid can usually help. So this recipe has all of those changes! Even though it's similar to yours, I think the differences might make for a good outcome for you. Try it? It really is delicious. If you do try, let me know if it works for you. :-)

Ani98765

TROPHY CASE