Archive for September, 2011
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.
