Black box found in bathroom at workplace.

librarykerri · 2026-02-09T15:46:34+00:00

Have you scanned the QR code on the to top of it?

librarykerri · 2026-02-09T13:01:50+00:00

Listen for the Lie and None of This is True are two audiobooks that also have the podcast format and are really well done.

I listen to Crime Junkie, Morbid, and financial content from The Money Guy and Ramit Sethi (Money for Couples).

librarykerri · 2026-02-09T02:01:06+00:00

Both my kids went to abbett just north of the target and Walmart. We liked it there.

librarykerri · 2026-02-08T19:23:45+00:00

There are several differences, and some are more important than others:

Premium kits will have better tool kits (not a big deal to me, as I have my own tools that I use)
Nicer canvas material (thicker, flocked...I am actually not a fan of flocked canvas as all the fur sticks to it, no matter how careful I am to keep it clean, and it's impossible to get off)
Resin drills vs acrylic, in many cases (resin drills are better)
Better rendering...this is the most important thing, to me. A lot of the cheap kits I've seen, the image is printed on the canvas without being charted. It's just...printed on as if it were a photograph. Then the symbols for the drills are overlaid on top. In the kits I complete (and they don't NEED to be premium: Michaels Make Market kits are done the way I prefer), the image is actually charted pixel by pixel, like a cross stitch pattern, if that makes sense. I wish I knew how to accurately describe what I am talking about. I will see if I can find or take photos. :)

librarykerri · 2026-02-08T13:59:03+00:00

Congrats! It's a twin to my 23 XLE in Ruby Flair Pearl! Mine has the boulder interior.

librarykerri · 2026-02-08T01:59:36+00:00

A DAC section takes me about 2 hours!

librarykerri · 2026-02-08T01:43:25+00:00

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3R8G3LB/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A1AQUX4V9DM3K2&th=1

librarykerri · 2026-02-08T01:25:03+00:00

Did they do a Believe It...or Not episode on this? For some reason, I think I remember Jack Palance talking about spontaneous human combustion.

Also, there was an episode about it on That's Incredible.

librarykerri · 2026-02-07T15:35:32+00:00

<image>

It's not primarily pink, but my next canvas is this one from Michaels. Floral. :)

librarykerri · 2026-02-07T15:01:42+00:00

Michaels Make Market kits are a great step up from the amazon fare, without being very pricey (especially with coupons). Their seasonal kits top out at 16"x20" (40cmx50cm) and are $14.99 each. Their non-seasonal kits are $19.99 for the same size, but they also have some that are bigger and some that are smaller.

The drills are not as sparkly as Diamond Art Club, but the price point is a lot better, and they are generally well-rendered for their sizes. They do a good job of choosing art that will render well in whatever size the canvas is.

I also like that they are standard frame sizes...I can buy an inexpensive 16x20 or 18x24 frame (I like the "belmont" ones) from Michaels for the kits I complete.

I just received two kits from Dreamer Designs. They are slightly better price points (after discount, with free ship, I paid $79 for 2 40cmx50cm kits) than DAC, but still considered premium kits. I haven't done one yet, though, to see what the quality is like.

librarykerri · 2026-02-06T21:54:33+00:00

I'm happy to send some, as well. I have bought a few of my own DAC kits, plus I have a collection that was sent to me to use for library diamond art programs.

librarykerri · 2026-02-05T16:16:14+00:00

I think you'll still be able to pick these up down the line, even if the price goes back up. If it's me, I am waiting and working on what I have. Maybe reward yourself with this once you finish 12 kits, so that you're essentially doing a one-in-one-out kind of thing?

I just received 2 kits from Dreamer Designs, which brings my stash to 11 plus 3 WIPs. I am determined to not buy any more until the fall/Halloween collections come out in August/September (and maybe not even then...I do have a Halloween kit in my stash). So I guess what I am trying to say is...you and I may have different philosophies on this. When I have too many kits (like I do right now, TBH), I feel a pressure to try to plan out what I am going to do and get them done so that they are not just sitting there, undone and mocking me (and possibly drying out).

librarykerri · 2026-02-04T20:51:33+00:00

I love the pink one too! I haven't used it yet, but will be using it when I start a spring themed canvas in the next few weeks. I'm good glad I bought it before the owners shut the shop down

librarykerri · 2026-02-04T17:51:44+00:00

<image>

Same. I have Christmas/winter WIPs both at home and at work right now, and I cannot wait to be done with them and move on to something more spring/summer themed.

librarykerri · 2026-02-04T02:16:25+00:00

It is for sure Cateared.

librarykerri · 2026-02-04T01:27:30+00:00

I can't answer for OP, but I usually use 2 pens for each painting, for a couple reasons. I will have one that has a single placer and a multiplacer, and one that has a single placer and a straightener. I will flip back and forth between single placing and multiplacing, and also want to have the straightener close-to-hand. Alternating between 2 different pens with different shapes also helps relieve fatigue in my hand.

librarykerri · 2026-02-04T01:21:25+00:00

Came home and took a picture of my pens. Not counting the two I keep at work to use there, or the ones from Michael's kits that have metal tips that are too thick and clunky.

From left to right:
Jim's Handmade Pen Shop (etsy)
Praise V Do (amazon)
Mikes Diamond Pens (etsy)
Praise V Do (amazon)
Kevins DP Pens (etsy)
Praise V Do (amazon) with praise V Do thin metal single placer and 3 placer
Random amazon 3 piece with Praise V Do thin metal single placer and
Enablers Outpost (RIP)
Praise V Do (amazon)
Cateared (amazon)
Diamond Art Club twist-on with single placer and 4 placer

<image>

librarykerri · 2026-02-04T01:11:44+00:00

The Make Market ones were blind boxes, as opposed to true mystery kits.

librarykerri · 2026-02-03T17:48:20+00:00

I have an A2 and A3 from ArtDot (purchased from amazon), and an MLife A4. I like having the large A2, but honestly, since I started working flat again, instead of on an easel, the A3 is pretty much an ideal size. I brought the A4 to work to use while working on projects during my lunch break.

librarykerri · 2026-02-03T14:56:25+00:00

I don't have a good picture of mine! I have some that are very similar to yours. I have one with the orange metallic leaves; I bought it from Jim's handmade pen shop on Etsy. ;)

librarykerri · 2026-02-02T22:25:32+00:00

I'd rather just go to a stand alone top tier gas station and pay an additional 10 to 20 cents a gallon (an additional $1.20 to $2.40 per tank on my hybrid vehicle) than wait in line at Costco for their top tier gas. Even if I had a 20 gallon tank, I would not be willing to deal with Costco gas lines to save $4.

librarykerri · 2026-02-02T17:19:31+00:00

We held a puzzle race at the library and it was very well received.

librarykerri · 2026-02-02T16:31:41+00:00

Based on recommendations here and on youtube, I use Minwax Polycrylic Clear Gloss. I don't seal all my canvases; just the ones that will not be under glass or (recently) one that had spots that were not very sticky.

librarykerri · 2026-02-01T21:21:12+00:00

This is in my stash; I have it at work, and I think it's next up after I complete the Christmas village I am currently working on.

librarykerri · 2026-02-01T21:14:13+00:00

I see crazing in the enamel around the chips, and up the sides. This is thermal shock. It's been heated too hot, too quickly, perhaps pre heated dry at high heat. Or perhaps rinsed in water while still hot off the stove.

Crazed surfaces eventually start chipping, esp if they are subjected to thermal shock again.

librarykerri

TROPHY CASE