I am taking an art class (Illustration and Design). I was nervous about this one because it requires intangible skills like creativity and imagination. For my sewing and pattern drafting classes, I have to listen well, be precise and complete large amounts of homework. For this one, I have to draw (eek!) and prove inspiration. Thankfully, I have an amazing teacher… and being “creative” isn’t as intimidating as I thought it would be. Also, as a librarian, it turns out that I have the means to dig up all kinds of good stuff. Flapper Girl, 1922:
I love them. Armwarmers. Some neighbourhood friends came over to make mittens last Friday. On Saturday morning, the kiddies jumped into the scraps.
The sweaters were felted in the washing machine. Hot cycle (three times). I put mine into a pillowcase with a bunch of balls and a tennis shoe (this helps agitate). Each sweater reacted differently, depending on the type of wool, etc. Felted cashmere is magic. So beautiful.
I tried staring into all of their yellow eyes without blinking once, but it didn’t work. They are still wild.
So funny. We are in the process of trying to make these Creepy Face Changers. As per usual, I have bulldozed ahead and made some mistakes (cutting the mouths wrong! arg!)… No matter, they’ll be awesome. In the meantime, we have discovered the joy of mixing features.
S with W’s eyes and mouth:
Creepy, right?
And my gorgeous E:
I have photos to post and updates to make. This for now. My love, harvesting…
Happy weekend to you all.
We had a set-up like this when I was growing up. I think because my dad was a geography teacher and had to make maps for his students. As a kid, I used to spend evenings tracing princess dresses out of picture books. Nerdy?
I have to do a lot of tracing for my pattern drafting class. I got all excited when I realized I had all of the equipment necessary to make a tracing table of my own!
To make, you will need:
- a piece of plexiglass, roughly 9×14 inches (I had one to protect my cookbooks – you might also *try* a piece of glass from an old frame)
- spray glue (don’t ask why I have this. Comes in pretty handy though. You can buy this at an art or hardware store)
- a piece of tracing paper, roughly the same size as the plexiglass.
- a table or chair with square legs to support the plexiglass.
- a lamp with a bendy arm (to set up as per the photo above)
Glue the tracing paper to the plexiglass. Spray evenly and try not to use too much, otherwise the paper will look blotchy. The paper softens the glare from the lamp. Wait for the glue to dry, place the plexiglass on top of the turned-over chair legs (to make little table) and turn the light on underneath (so that it shines up through the plexiglass) . You should be able to layer a couple of sheets of paper to trace. If you have more tracing paper, try making stained glass windows. Like these:
They aren’t really babies anymore. W has started full-day Kindergarten. We have entered a whole new phase of familyhood. I love it. Really, I panicked last year, but have managed to arrange my time so that I am moving forward with my own thing, but am still able to devote myself to my loves. All good.
We attempted our first hiking trip over the weekend. One night, sleeping under a glacier and a waterfall at Joffre Lakes. It was amazing.
We are mastering the art of packing light and have plans to purchase proper backpacks and lighter sleeping bags for the kids. E carried quite a bit. AZ carried the most. Best backpacking food: Falafel and couscous. Oatmeal with cinnamon, sugar and rehydrated fruit. Cucumbers travel well.
ps. In addition to working auxiliary at a local public library, I am busy these days at design school… Yes. I am learning to make clothes for real. I get to take art and design and industrial sewing and pattern drafting. I have been at it since April and am having A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF FUN. The blog has suffered, but I do hope to keep it up. Lots of juggling balls in the air at the moment… trying to stay Zen.
Carrots, chard, french onions, spaghetti squash… plus a few other things. Yes, I planted vegetables, then rented out the house for two months. Our renters watered. How nice is that?!
We have been living outside (ignoring the unpacking to do inside!), enjoying the flowers, climbing trees, running in the sprinkler and embracing the heat. It’s good to be home.
Long absence here. So much has happened over the summer… Because we had planned to be away for all of July and August, we rented out our house. The renting part was easy and awesome. We found some friendly and respectful tenants and made a bit of extra cash to pay for our travels. I would absolutely rent again.
Unfortunately, extended-family stress at the beginning and the end of the summer made for a few extra location changes for us. I didn’t pack for that and have had way too many bags and bits to move around and think about. So next time: pack light and stay positive.
Highlights: Exploring our own city…
Taking a real vacation…
Swimming, making and exploring Canada by train! (very cool trip. More on that another time)…
We move home in one week.
Yarn Bombing is growing in popularity at our house, as an expression and an activity, referring to anything decorated with yarn. This time, S’s hair, beautified in the back of the car on the way to the strawberry patch. In addition to the braids, there is a finger-knit scarf tied around her head. Yes, S was “yarn bombed”.
E and I listened to an interview on CBC a while back, talking about this book - written and published in our own dear city:
Since then, she has kept a keen eye out for knit graffiti. I love this. One, that she notices it, and two, that she thinks it’s cool. Cause it is. I never seem to have my camera on me, but it’s out there! We keep thinking of things to bomb, but have yet to make anything too significant (other than S’s head decor, that is).
