cjacks.com

Welcome to cjacks!

I am so happy you have decided to visit my blog. Here you can see some of my musings, creative projects, recipes and whatever else catches my fancy. You can also check out my social media.

Between Waking and You

This song was generated to express the love once shared between the two main characters in my novel project – Isolden and Bastian.  This is one of my favorite ones about them and I love the image – definitely captured how I see them. Listen on Suno Lyrics…

Gone Too Soon

This round, I decided to do a song with my own lyrics. I had to tweak them and generate a few iterations to try and get the AI to break the lines where I wanted it to, but now that I have a better feel for tweaking my own words so it turns into a melody closer than…

The Sun Will Soon Arise

Years and years ago, I used to write novels with my partner, Jonathan.  In fact, we even put one out long ago on Amazon, not that it ever sold a solitary copy, I might note, but still.. And yes, we did it under a nom de plume. Don’t get me started on the cover…

Cracks in the Silence

A friend of mine recently introduced me to Suno to make AI music.  I hadn’t had a chance to use it until the other day. I was feeling pretty down… thinking about my partner of 18 years who died October 12, 2022. Though it is going on four years since…

Cost of Progress

Today we ask Google (Bing, Siri blah blah) for information instead of asking those with experience. My knee-jerk reaction is to ask my elderly folks (I am pre-Google, obviously).  But I stop and think: I don’t want to bother them when I can get flooded by…

Seed Stitch Knit Cowl

In my never-ending attempt to finish half-done projects floating around and use up some of the enormous stash of crafting material avalanche threatening to suffocate me, I finally can cross this off my list. I started it last year when I, again, decided to try…

Kitsune

A while back, I found an image I liked and it inspired me.  Unfortunately I can not locate the image.  But, I really enjoyed trying to find 9 “elements” for a nine-tailed fox and adding antlers.  Kitty View OneView LargerKitty View TwoView LargerKitty View…

Cat Felted Figure

A felted cat figure made with cat fur.

Watercolor Doodles

I was in the mood to dig out the watercolors the other day. It had been a while since I last did one, so I decided to try a few doodles to scrub off the rust, so to speak. I didn’t have too much of a plan besides trying a sunset or two.  That evolved into using…

Pattern Review: Pineapple Peacock Shawl

This is going to be a pretty short review.   I have made this pattern a few times and really enjoy making these. They work up pretty fast, but you will need to watch your counting.  Be sure to lay it out occasionally to ensure there are no skipped repetitions!  I did…

Fading Sunflowers

Maxfield Parish skies shine alive in bright light while cerulean and faded hues play out against a mediocre sky of pale blue. I look down to see the dirt, so dark, mud and washed out tan on this steel shovel, my sharpened spade. Hacking away through tears at yellowed…

Boho Swing Top

Boho Swing Top

I wear this top when it is super hot over my fun summer bralettes and bikini tops.  It would be great for any summertime festival or concert. Since it is my first pattern ever, I am offering it for free, but please be gentle with your comments!  I would love to know…

glittery skull

Sweatshirt Painting!

I bought this really cute (but plain…BORING!) sweatshirt at the thrift shop. It was a shorter cut and thus a bit more feminine. An added plus was that it lacked the built-in hangman’s noose neck (aka Crewneck) that I loathe and typically cut out… so,…

Technicolor… Something?, Part 1

Technicolor… Something?, Part 1

Anyone who knows me knows I abhor waste. I derive joy in repurposing, giving life to neglected items and finding use for what would otherwise go into a landfill. This unfortunately means I amass a lot of materials for projects I may never get around to. This brings me…

Let’s Make Iced Spiced Coffee!

Let’s Make Iced Spiced Coffee!

Summertime is in full swing and with it soaring, oppressive temperatures.  In the valley where I live it is especially muggy and humid in between spells of rain. So when morning hits, the thought of piping hot coffee to shake off the mental cobwebs that accumulated…

Categories

Email Me

8 + 4 =