Green Glass

Happy Eggs!

 I'm just here, keeping it simple.  Watercolor and graphite.

 

Today I am askew

 Just a desk shot, because, yeah, I like seeing people's work spaces.

I tried to scan these pages and my scanner's just not big enough.  

Plus today I seem to be slightly askew.

Not that you'd notice a difference.

I'll be away from computer access for the next couple of days, so no reply to comments.  I've arranged to have these rolled out in my absence.

I am NOT hiding in my room playing with paint.

Although I would if I could.

 

IFJM is creeping up!

April 1st, I will be starting myl fake journal for International Fake Journal Month. I plan to post images from it over at my sub-blog, Paint by Numbers.  Now, my plans may change, but right now I'm feeling pretty good about my approach this year.

Interational Fake Journal Month is the brain child of Roz Stendahl, and she has created this forum as way to break from one's normal journal routine and create a journal in real time as a charactor.  Real time meaning, don't sit down and do several as if they were different days.  Do that charactor's journal page for April 5th, 2013 (or whichever day it actually is).  The point being not to create a fake journal, but to practice journaling as an imaginary charactor in whatever setting your imagination allows (although you will end up with a fake journal).  

Last year, I'd have to say that I didn't have any really firm journal practices, so it was hard to think what I wanted to change.  Eventually I settled on a charactor and just tried to explore drawing from her perspective.  I'd say I was mildly successful.  Mildly because it wasn't very developed or anchored, but I did perservere and journal, I think everyday (or close to it).  This year I've identified some of my tendencies, and I'm using this month to try to push myself to explore in a different direction.

I don't know if that will happen, but I can start with that intention.

So, being me, and being in the mood I am, I'm going to try to clear the decks and get some projects out of the way to give myself more mental space to focus on my fake journal.

 

Right now I'm on track to finish this little pamphlet journal by the end of the month, or maybe within the first couple of days of the start of April.   

So here's to having fun with cut and paste.  And new ventures. 

My poor atrophied muscle gets exercised

More pamphlet pages.  I'm just having so much fun with this small little play space.

 

I'm finding this good mentally because it exercises my - yeah go ahead and do that just see what happens - muscle which, let's face it, had atrophied.

This little journal helps too.

 

Wednesday Round up and a question

If this blog is a version of a visual journal (which it is), then this is my periodic review of where I am and what I'm doing.  First up, decisions decisions decisions for IFJM.  And that's just the beginning of the fun.  I'm getting my charactor in order and prepping her supplies.  This year there won't be a lot of words or should I say writing in my journal.  All the back story is in my head and the journal will just be that, an art journal.  I'm really excited about this.

Secondly, now that I actually got the pj sewing project out of the way and off my desk, my middle daughter immediately asked if I could make one out of fleece.  So...

Did I mention that I just happened to have a selection of fleece in my huge never ending supply closet?  From a long ago kids poncho project.  I'm putting this in the use it up category and not the you just added another project to your supposed to be shortening project list.

And then there is third, this.

These are doll dresses that I started when I was pregent with my son.  Who is now nine.  Just let that sink in.  But the fun part (because there actually is a fun part) is that this is exactly what I was doing when I went into labor with the little bugger.  I was sitting at the dining room table with THIS little pile in front of me when I thought, I just need to go lie down for a second, and then....

And I'm still playing with watercolor and watersoluable graphite.  Everyday.  Because I can.  So I do.

Okay, here's a question.  What is your favortie blog that you check everyday (or as often as you do these things?  And why?  Does it inspire you?  Make you laugh?  Inform you?  I like the science section of the NYTimes on line, but that's just once a week.  And Roz Stendahl's blog, Roz Wound Up (in side bar).  Because then I have little known facts to throw into the conversation (the former) and more or just a good laugh (the latter).  Well, maybe I don't throw all of Roz's info into conversation, but it does make me more informed on art supplies.

IFJM - coming soon!

First, I haven't responded much to comments recently, partially because of computer access issues, and partially because of my now defunk funk.  I am back in the land of the civil again.

Second, is anyone else out there going to play along with International Fake Journal Month?  It's coming up quickly (the month of April).  If you haven't before, this would be a GREAT year to give it a try.  Why?  I have no idea, except that I had a blast last year and plan to do it again this, and why not?

I haven't completely settled on my character yet, but I think I have a good general idea.  Things change, and that's okay.  Last year I had a whole story about the sketch journal of a waitress, and focussing on feet and thought I had a pretty good plan, and then it turned into not that at all, but I still had a good time.

This year, I'm thinking of going with more collage and color and less line and drawing.  Mostly because I have an itch to be using acrylic paint and glue.

Hope you play along.  Sign up at Roz's website if you decide to post so we can all take a look.

I hear stretching is good for the soul

I've been slowly working on a couple pages of collage/color/??

I assume if I keep adding bits I'll end up in a place I like.

I typically don't layer a lot, but I do find other people's layered work very interesting, so....

Giving it a try.

Apparently this is something that must be done very cautiously.  

(can you hear me laughing at myself?)

Hockey Pucks

I have gotten out of my funk.  Partially because of these little pincushions.

I  LOVE putting these together.  I think I mentioned that they were inspired by the cupcake design in the book "Warm Fuzzies" by Betz White.

Okay, so I completely obscured the images of her cupcakes, but they're cute. 

There.  I managed to get an image of her cover without my hockey pucks.  

But I love mine.

I may be doing these for a while.  Plus I have LOTS of scraps that I created while making this.

I think I've finally found something to give as gifts.

Oh, and I'm not only sewing.  I'm doing this crazy stuff in a little notebook I have.

It's scribble and watercolor.  Just no intention at all.  All impulse.

Something Profound

There.  I've said something profound.

Which is about all anyone can get out of of me right now.

I prefer to think of it as pithy and entertaining.

Rather than sarcastic and dismissive.

I need some warm weather and a change of attitude.  Can't do much about the former and working furiously on the latter.  Actually, I'm coming around.

I also prefer to think that menopause cannot hold a good woman down

for long.

Numbero Uno, progressing

I'm finding this journal incredibly helpful right now.  Trying not to feel swamped by my ongoing project to dig out is an uphill battle, and this little book makes me feel so good! I love being able to see the progress of each piece getting done.  A little map of intentions completed.  

A book I read a while ago really put this all into words.  It was a collection of Essays by Annie Lamott, "Bird by Bird".  In it she describes being a kid working on a composition that she has left till the last night.  Sitting in front of the list of eight birds that she needs to describe and detail, she's overwhelmed.  Frozen, she asks her father, a writer, how she can get it all done.  His answer, "bird by bird".  Just one bird.  Just one bird at a time.   Like the old saying, how do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.

I remind myself that I built this mass of projects one at a time (well, usually), and I can dig myself out, one project at a time.  I am exercising my finishing muscle, which had atrophied.  I am exorcising my completing demon.  I am indulging in metaphors.  Now I'm going to go stitch.

Pincushions

Oh my goodness!

I'm enjoying hand sewing so much right now.  I'm enjoying all my little projects the way I enjoy binding a book.  It's quick, it's concrete (as opposed to a 3-month quilt project) and it's so very very tactile.  

Loving the fabric, the thread or yarn.  Loving seeing the needle pierce the fabric.

And totally a control freak.  Loving feeling like I can tweak and adjust and manipulate these fibers.  Tweak and manipulate don't always have the best connotations as words, but LOVE them right now.

The pincushions above are from "Warm Fuzzies" by Betz White.  She has the cutest pastel cupcakes with some wonderful detail.  I probably bought the book more to satisfy my sweet tooth than for the projects, but once I had it, I took the pile of old sweaters that had moth holes and stains and felted them all in my washing machine.  Then I cut them all up planning to make these pincushion things.  Before I got to that, I made a big patched wool blanket from the idea in her book.  It's on my son's bed now.  I had all the ribbing cut for the pin cushions, and then.... whatever came up.  So now, a year and  a half later, I'm getting to them.  I didn't go out and buy sweaters, so I"m just working with the colors I have, which makes them not so pastely and more earthy, which I'm not sure is the color you want in a cupcake, but hey... the wool wouldn't taste so good anyway.  I have SO MANY ribbings cut, I have no idea how many pincushions I'm going to make.  Until I get bored, I suppose.  

Another day, another project.

Mitts and stitches

Things are coming together.

I've been wanting to do some hand stitching.  I also want to deal with the mass of old t-shirts from my kids that I want to reinvent somehow.  Some will obviously become quilts.  But there are SO MANY.  As I was sorting through yet another pile, I came across some old plain white t-shirts.  My little boy loves a plain white shirt.  In second grade, I think he wore one three out of five days.  Silly boy.  And when I think of his wonderful little second grade body in them, they just make me smile.  The outgrown ones are stained (imagine!) so they can't go to the thrift store, so I'd just set them aside, as I do so much.

I decided to make a pair of fingerless gloves/arm warmers with one.

I've been drooling over Natalie Chanin's 'Alabama Studio Sewing + Design'.  I promised myself when I bought the book on impulse (as opposed to all my other well thought-out and reasoned purchases) that I would not guilt myself by thinking I was actually going to make anything from this book.  But then I made something from this book.  Or inspired by the book.  I didn't actually use her pattern, (because, seriously, how exact do they need to be?) but I used her stitch ideas.

I've never been much of a seamstress, but after years of watching Project Runway, I've become quite convinced of my subliminal learning ability.  So I threw myself in, now that I have over 10 years experience (of watching the show).

I had SO much fun.

Because can you really ruin a stained white t-shirt?

I think I'm ready for that formal runway gown now, don't you?

A shawette

As I've mentioned, I'm working on completing projects that I've started and than set aside.  This is a big issue for me, and one that I keep coming back to, like a tangled ball of yarn.  Below is a shawl that I finished last night.  It took me several passes to get the lace edging correct. 

I love shawls and scarves.  My neck seems to be permanently chilled.  I came up with this shawl/scarf pattern when I realized that I had amassed a considerable collection of yarn in one and two ball bits.  I'd go to a yarn store, want to support local merchants, and fall in love with a yarn that, honestly, I didn't have a plan or need for.  So I'd buy one or two balls, just for fun.

I think balls of yarn are fun to look at as well as knit with and wear.   But honestly, how many do I need?  hmm...  Not that many.  So this shawl pattern is especially a very skinny shawl that I can work on when I'm with friends chatting started in garter stitch, then switched to stockinette to give a nice little roll at the neck line.  Then I pick up again and crochet the bottom edge.  It's fulfilled several needs.  A mindless project for my knit group, a way to practice crochet and I actually end up using them.

I'm trying to focus on project that I can get through quickly and feel good about.  Otherwise the mass of what is left tips forward onto my head and I'm buried for the day.  Next up is a pair of pajamas that my daughter started for a girl scout badge.  She's outgrown the size, but they'd be good for the younger daughter.

I have more to say about this, but it will wait till tomorrow.

That's right

I am the queen of my page.

I can be as boring as I want.  So there.

So says Edith Ann and so says me.

Silly me

This little pamphlet book is a scavanger hunt.

My thoughts got off the train and have been wondering around - little lost travelers without a guide or map.

While I cut and paste and doodle and squiggle - I'm sending them coded messages to find their way home.  Sometimes I think I see them out my window passing by  and I rush around for a few minutes trying to get them back in the house.

Silly me. 

They just wander out again.

Do you smell that?

I started this a while ago.  Keep adding bits.

I'd like to think I'll know when to stop.

Maybe now. Unless...

I'm ready for the warmth of spring.  I'm ready for calm and scented air.

Cut to pasting

Oh, I do like to cut & paste.

A little of this and a little of that.

My days are like that.

Girls just want to have fun

Quilts are big.  Knitting is intricate.  

Sometimes I need instant gratification.

in my head

these things

are related

Squint

The light was failing.  I pressed on.

Plus I couldn't focus my eyes and I'd forgotten my reading glasses.

But now I like it.

That's a goalie practice on the other side of the medic cart.

Don't see it?  Squint.

Maybe

I do try to do people with faces.  But they move.  

One day.

Maybe.

the up side

I'm learning to print photos from my printer instead of my little Espsen photo printer.  The Epsen is great but limited.  It actually doesn't take much to print with my printer, but you'd think it required an advanced degree from my relunctance.

I've printed sheets with two images to a page so I can fold them in half.  Some people would alter the photos but I like them the way they are.  Ridiculous degrees of enjoyment.  LIke small bowls of ice cream waiting for me when I turn the page.

I keep forgetting that I am deeply content.

Lack of sleep.

this and that

I've been missing my pamphlet journals.  So Friday morning I scooped up some papers I've been collecting.

And two pieces of cardboard.  I painted one quickly because it was from an old Power Rangers gift.  I save so much of the cardboard that goes along with packaging.  And I've started setting aside cereal boxes too.  But this one I cut down and slapped some paint on.  The front is an old collage I'd done and set aside.

I didn't measure the holes.  Just eyeballed it.

Sewed it up with a simple pamphlet stitch.

Took it with me to the soccer clinic and sat in the car with some new paint and pen.

Now I have a place to cut and paste again.

In brief

NOT SLEEPING ENOUGH!  AARRGGGHHH!  

Little people are avoiding me for good reason. 

Actually they are lavishing me with cuddles.  Too wonderful, those little people.

I've decided to go ahead and layer the two quilts.  I delivered my defunct machine to the repair guy, so hopefully I can get these basted by the time the brick is fixed.  I had to put the backing together today - why did I make something pretty straightforward so complicated?

And I finished this lovely above.  Ran out of my yarn with four rows to go in the pattern.  So I dug around and found a solid green of a similar weight.  It works - enough.  Then I discovered that I thought I'd been knitting from the bottom up only to discover I was working from the top down.  My circular was too short to really get a sense of how it would lay out, and when I cast off I got 

SO CONFUSED

and then my brain righted itself.

I got my batting out and aired and sort of cut to size.  Sort of. Don't ask.

And I've realized that I need a new pamphlet journal.  Or two.

But mostly I drove SOMEONE to a soccer clinic and then sat in the car.  I finally did sketch before the light gave out.  It's easier sketching from the back than running around in front of them and trying to be invisible.  I'm not so good with the invisible thing.  Or the unobtrusive when sketching thing.

But these two didn't care.

Twin pinwheels

More rain, more migraine, BUT...

I got to the point of putting on a border band.

Twin quilt tops.  Now do I set them aside and continue on my quest to complete tops I've already started, or do I stop and labor away at getting them layored and quilted?

Oh, and the time lapse betwee the photo above and below?  Under two seconds.

How do I get on the path to awesome?

I believe I am a better person when I take the time to be creative.  And by better I mean kinder, happier, more patient, more thoughtful.  Sewing, knitting and now playing with my journals - all of these have proven to me time and time again that I need an outlet.  So I give myself permission to spend time on myself this way.

And then sometimes I really can't.  And I get cranky.  Maybe that's self indulgence.  Maybe.  Maybe not.

After years of starting new projects when I get bogged down with one - because i needed a lift of energy that starting a new project gives me - I have committed myself to completing what I started.

It has been suggested that I could just jettison some of these projects.  Let them float away into hands of people who would happily take them up (or deposit them in the trash where they might belong), and I might at some time do that.  But for now, I think I need to work my way through some of these tangles.  I need time to sort and unfold and problem solve.  I'm finding it very settling.  Very centering.

So right now with the little snippets of time I have, I am working on a lace shawl (yes, I did figure out where in the lace pattern I left off -why oh why did I not take a moment to make a notation all that time ago?  Probably because I laid it down thinking I was going to take it up again immediately.  HA!)  I'm also working on these twin pinwheel quilt tops.  I finished one and then realized I'd made it for a very skinny 7 foot giant.  So there was an evening of unsewing the bottom row of blocks and making another column down the side.  Ah well.  One step at a time. 

I want to be on the path that leads to awesome

 I cannot get kid president out of my head.

 

 

 

 

Tired of myself

First, thank you to all who left comments for my first anniversary.  I appreiciate all you stalkers - I am you.  I bet we stalk some of the same blogs.   

The weekend was soccer soccer and more soccer. Cold soccer.  Wet soccer.

And now this says it all.  

 

 

 

 

Wishing you the best.

One Year!

Today is my one year blog anniversary.  Hurray for me.

I've had over 300 posts.  Not bad considering I took weeks off here and there.

I recently redesigned this, and had to go back and rework some of my old blog posts (the photos had shrunk).  I think they are all taken care of now, but I did enjoy seeing what I'd done.  

I've worked steadily at this.

I did a good bit of this.

And some of this.

And a steady dose of this

And a surprising amount of this.

And even surprised myself with some of this.

And this was unexpected.

Equally surprising was this.

And now finally, I've gotten to be able to do this.

 

This blog is definitely one form of visual journaling, and I'm grateful for it.  Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment.  I love getting to meet the people who come by.  Makes up for my reclusive social life.  

Numero Uno

Storms moving through the last week.  Migraines.

I'm using Numero Uno to keep track of my unending quilting/knitting projects.

I'm unraveling the web I've woven.  One strand at a time.  

Slow progress is progress.