A good week

And did I mention that it's the last full week of summer vacation, too? School starts the middle of next week. I'm thinking ahead to the first full week of school (about 10 days from now) and the possibilities are endless. Oh, what I can accomplish in 6 hours! But I digress.

This was a banner week for little Henry, my youngest. In love with a tiny remnant of a scrap of a blanket which is in actuality a twist of threads and knots, he will soon be without the one great love of his short life -- his "blankie". There's something bittersweet about finding clumps and tatters of his once soft and beautiful blanket around the house these days, let me tell you. Henry's my baby, so this loss is just as much a rite of passage for me as for him. Just when this scrappy old thing is starting to really break down, Grandma Ginger (my mother) up and finishes the quilt she started for him when he was born. G.G lives 800 miles away so she sent it through the mail. Last spring when she talked to him on the phone she told Henry she was piecing it together. In June she told him that she had given it to a friend to embroider his name on it, then late last week she told us that it would be coming in the mail, insured, so we had to be home to sign for it, etc. And truly, you never saw a kid so happy with a new quilted blanket than Henry.

I'd have to read up on it, but our Montessori teacher always told us there were three stages to childhood, each 6 years long. So Henry is just finishing up the first third of his childhood. I think it's fitting that he should graduate to a new blanket. Indeed, that's what I'm going to tell my mother, who has felt that nagging personal guilt we all feel when we do so much for the first kid, then slack off for the ones who come later on. This was Mom's 6th "baby" quilt, and it remained merely a good intention until recently when she had some big epiphany about her mortality. I guess she thought she should wrap up some loose ends just in case. By the way, if you could see my beautiful, youthful mother you'd think it was ridiculous perhaps that she sensed decrepitude rapidly approaching but alas, none of us knows the day or the hour, isn't that what they say? In any case, that she would consider her quilt-less grandchild first as she saw her number coming up, truly says something about the kind of woman she is. So in a way, her timing was perfect. It's a milestone for a few of us, here: Henry receives a blanket just as he embarks on a new phase in life (did I mention he starts Kindergarten next week?); Grandma finally can close the door on a project which has been looming large for years; and I can retire what's left of that stringy wad of smelly fibers my son loves so much.

Maybe Henry will willingly help me put it away in his baby box. Now that he's a big guy, you know.

Pretty in Pink

Looks like a cross between Carmen Miranda and Marie Antoinette, she's pretty at least. And she looks sweet on a vanity with perfume bottles and other uber feminine things. OK, there's a little old fashioned lady in me somewhere, I'll admit.

New Doll Close Up

I paid some attention to getting the eyes even after those last couple of doll heads.

I like the light as it falls gently on my messy table here. I still appreciate a well lit workroom. Always will, after working in the dark. The computer's set up now in the room where I used to sew; a windowless room targeted for a darkroom by the previous owners. The "office"/computer room is just one project awaiting our attention (after new floors, after new plumbing fixtures upstairs, after a new roof, etc). And even working in this awful little hovel on my computer reminds me too much of being in a cubicle (I lasted 16 months in that work environment). But at least I don't have to make art here anymore. Luuuuuuuv that.

Paper Detour

I don't scrapbook any more, but I certainly can't help picking up pretty papers when I see them. I have a lot of papers, preprinted, painted, saved from old books, mail, etc. Scrapbooking is what first cracked open my creative side after I had Katie, so I'm fond of the hobby, even if I don't have the time to do it anymore. Actually I could have the time; it's just that once the door was cracked, I pretty much kicked it open and have never looked back. I'd rather try new things than go back and do what I've already done before. So long to scrapbooks.

BUT.

I've been derailed these last few days by a little project in Teesha Moore's Art and Life Zine. I think I mentioned this before, but I've been making these little paper accordion books for journaling in, just to get some different creative juices flowing. Well, several books later I had to go to the store for some different papers and double stick tape. (I was on a roll and couldn't stop myself...I get that way.) I came upon one of those little stacks of pretty card stock with designs on both sides in a small size (for easy matting of a 4x6 photo). It was on sale, so I took it home to play with. Since I can't bear to have to choose one side of the paper I decided to use come fabrics to bind it. Who would have guessed? From there, I couldn't resist adding ribbon, other papers, and more fabrics. I love my beautiful yummy mess of a book. Can't wait to draw/write/paint in it, but I wanted to show it off first. Since these are so much fun to make I may put a few on Etsy soon. There's no way I can use them all.

I'm also putting up some shots of one of the paper books. My studio is an absolute disaster zone, and spreading into the kitchen. Must retreat and re evaluate. Incidentally, the bookmaking did the trick. Heck, yeah, the juices are flowing now! Maybe I can move into a pretty doll in these colors.

Miss Know It All Is Speechless For Once

The new creepy doll here. Someday I'm going to try to make a pretty doll. I promise.

Photographing art is a pain in the butt, quite frankly, but there's nothing to be done about it. Look how bad this doll looks standing in front of stone the same color as her pasty white face. Ick. I'm going to wait till I have a few more dolls made before I drag out the gray background and tape it up on the porch in early morning light. It's a bit of work and doesn't seem practical for just a couple of shots.

Agate Collage

Ever play with Flickr Toys? Sure you can do this with photoshop too but bighugelabs is quick and easy if you've already uploaded to Flickr. Love you, "fd", whoever you are. (Am I the only one who thinks there's some geek out there with the initials fd? Maybe it stands for some acronym I'm supposed to know. If you know, let me know.)

These shots come from the picture of one agate slice, about 7 by 9 inches. I cropped the one shot 9 times in 300x300 pixel increments at various points around the picture. I rotated one of those crops 90 degrees, too. (A dollar if you can tell me which one.) Really, who needs drugs?

What comes to mind when I see a rock like this, broken open to reveal its innards? I think, where did mother nature learn her color theory? I think, how long has this been here, hidden away like this? I think, how long does this take to make? I think, of course, the inside is the best part. And, maybe I should start going around with a hammer.

I bought the kids each their choice of rocks in the gift shop at the TX Natural History Museum today. Here's what they chose:

Katie -- an agate "healing" necklace
Willie -- a minuscule red agate hippopotamus
Henry -- three uncut rock specimens

If your town has a natural hsitory museum I highly recommend a field trip (with or without kids). I brought my sketch book but didn't really have time and the quiet to sketch as I like, but maybe I'll go back one day. I fondly remember sketching at the University of Nebraska's Morrill Hall when I was a student there. That was when they still had laser light shows at night on the weekends ((dark side of the moon, etc.), but I digress. I'm delighted with our museum experience today. We came home and had blueberry snow cones and everyone's tongue turned blue, like witches. A memorable day.

In my studio

I'm pretty much consumed by my headless doll. Scratch that. She has a head, just not attached. Although she's very attached to her head, in a way. You'll see. Soon.

A friend from Jazzercise said this today: "You know all those fancy women who accomplish so much? They say no [to lots of volunteer projects]. Family is more important." I believe in angels (and people who say angels' words) , did I mention that?

Today I'm taking the kids to the natural history museum on the UT campus. They love that place --especially the dark room with all the weird things in jars. Myself, I like the mineral and crystal displays. There must be a rock hound in me somewhere.

I'm posting some pictures of two pretty pink gals from my studio. They're sweet.

Headless Doll in progress

I'm trying something different. This doll took me along for a fun ride. I didn't really plan her, just started needle sculpting the head in a screwey way to see what happened. She's definitely not going to be any kind of pretty, but she's a great experiment because I followed the lead of the head more than ever. I need to costume her as I'm putting her limbs together, which means I had to dye her before she was put together. This doll is teaching me to loosen up a bit. Can't wait to see her finished. It should be soon, since I'm obsessed now. Love it when that happens.

I have my treasure of the Gypsy fabrics and trims hanging in my studio waiting for inspiration. They havn't spoken to me yet. I'm not so keen on the girl-at-the-window idea anymore. I'll just have to wait and see. I hate to just dive in without a plan for that project. Sometimes that's great, but I only have so much fabric to use for the challenge. When it's gone it's gone. I did find a gorgeous broken bracelet whose beads complement the orange and purples beautifully. That's a plus.

I'm off to Jazzercise this morning and have a few things to get to today, including a press release for school. It's already composed in my head, which helps a lot. The kids need school shoes, too. That's an easy one, just a hassle, and not the kind of errand they love to do.

"Unframed" Exhibit

Yesterday was 106 degrees and quite a bit humid. TX is not for wimps. Ruthie and I shook it off and went down to New Braunfels for an exhibit of fiber art by some San Antonio fiber artists/friends.

Let me say something about going to an opening where you know some of the artists. It's a little weird because walking into the gallery is like entering a fabulous candy store/shoe boutique/cathedral/takeyourpick,(whatever really moves you). Here was a collection of beautiful handmade works of art/craft beckoning closer inspection. Dolls hung from walls and stood on pedestals, quilted 3D house-shaped boxes flaunted bright hot colors, silks, dyed and painted, floated down from the ceiling, and garments clothed manikins here and there. My heart literally beat faster and my eyes couldn't stop moving around the room. At the same time here are folks I haven't seen in awhile, so there are hugs and handshakes first. I have to admit, I forget myself and want to dive into the art, but the people and the art go hand in hand. It's so much fun. Next to making stuff myself and with others, I love going to galleries!

I'm posting two pictures, a couple of my favorite things yesterday. Maybe it was the heat, but everything seemed to vibrate with color for me yesterday. The golden doll was made by Linda Rael, just about the sweetest person I've ever met. We met a few years ago at ArtFiberFest in Washington and hit it right off. I feel so lucky that our circles have crossed again. I'm definitely going to get down to SA and play at her studio sometime soon. Her dolls have a tribal feel to them, and she plays with color so happily. I feel I could really learn something about expressing joy in dolls through her. The other picture is a quilt by Susie Monday, whose work has a true TexMex feel to it. There are religious themes and cactus blooms, Mexican and central American vintage textiles, and riotous color throughout her work. It moves me and lifts my spirits when I see it. She is also doing some wonderful 3-D stand alone quilted pieces which satisfy my bent for sculpture and fiber together. I'm a new fan of her work and will follow her with interest. She does workshops at her studio just about monthly, so I anticipate a day of inspiration one of these months in the future.

Ruthie's Sunset

As I was checking the Austin Fiber Artists Yahoo site this morning I came across a thumbnail pic which I thought was a sunset at first. But no, it's my friend Ruthie Powers' dyed fabric. The flash brightened up a little corner of it and shone like the sun. I just love that. You can see more of her work and musings at her blog. It's HOT HOT HOT here in Austin now, so this fits!

By the way, I'm done feeling sorry for myself now. Just give it a day and, well, it's a new day. Morning's are beautiful and full of possibility. Also, I got to talk with an old college friend and my sister last night on the phone. Amazing what a little conversation with some of my girls will do to flip my mood.

I decided to make the most of the rest of summer. In the case of the volunteer work beckoning, I'm going to take the bull by the horns with this current press realease and just finish it quickly. The trick this year will be incorporating the writing into my weeks, if I'm going to be involved, as well as finding the other writer (who I know is out there) in the school community to pick up slack. My husband gave me the "just say no" talk last night and it sort of sunk in, as I thought of others around me who do it so well. I definitely need to establish some boundaries. And there are awful tasks like organizing my desk area which will also increase my efficiency. So here I go.

Last night my sister Liz recommended a book to me for the kids called "100 things to do before you're 12" and "100 places to see before you're 12". She promised that it would inspire kids and adults to appreciate sights and activities close to home, something which I almost feel we do too much of. I've been admittedly lazy about planning a vacation. We don't get out as much as I wish we did. And yet, the kids have taken the lead of Bill and me and made the most of their hobbies around the house. Not many of Katie's friends, for example, get to paint canvases with acrylics in the great room, or have a huge fabric stash to resort to when she needs to make doll dresses. And my boys dream of going to Legoland in CA because they envision a huge park where you never run out of Lego pieces as you're making something (I almost hate to take them there and disappoint them with theme park rides and nasty food)! I know their creativity will serve them well. I'd hate for them to be the kind of person who has to be entertained all the time. Still, I'm going to make an effort to get them out once or twice before the end of the summer. I'll have plenty of time to work and play with my own projects around here when school starts back up.

I'm in a new space, thank goodness. All it takes is a little time with a girlfriends/sister on the phone and I have some perspective.