tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112420047792267782024-03-13T19:13:55.293-07:00Nana's Needle NookFuture visions and frustrations of a fairly fickle fibre artistUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-13390708192631929692013-10-03T15:20:00.000-07:002013-10-03T15:21:12.075-07:00Another mystery bookOh Dear, has it really been since Easter that I have written in this blog? For shame on me.<br />
That just means I get to do double time on it now.<br />
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So. . .I did it again. I bought an item on auction. A leather valise, I wanted to use it for my Steampunk costume.<br />
When it arrived I unpacked it and realized it needed some TLC. Put it in the corner till I could get to it. That was about 6 months ago.<br />
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It came from a local Goodwill so when it arrived and I saw the UofO sticker on the side (almost completely gone) I knew it was from someone in Oregon. <br />
Yesterday I started cleaning it off with Saddle soap. Making sure I didn't disturb the sticker. It is getting cleaner but it is going to need some mink oil or something cause the leather is cracked and breaking off in the folds.<br />
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As I was cleaning it I looked inside, dusty, dead spider. Then I checked the side pockets. And that is where I found this notebook.<br />
Or rather notepad.<br />
It is only 4inch.<br />
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Inside are a few pages with minute handwriting. It takes me a while to figure out what it is saying. Then the lighbulb goes on.<br />
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Here we have a notepad that was purchased in France, approx. 1945. Owned by Winton J. Hunt. His notes are military notes. He is recording an accident with explosives and who was killed, Italians and Germans and US. Seems they were unloading armaments (B betty bombs) and it slipped and exploded. He lists which men died. Like the POW's that are Italian or German.<br />
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There are also notes for arranging the Christmas party with children. He talks about which units and how many children will be from that unit. Also how the bus/truck will come to areas in the city to pick up the children.<br />
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Knowing the war ended in May 1945 and these notes are from August and November 1945 it tells me that Winton Hunt was helping move units out and heal things with the citizens of France.<br />
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I have googled the names of some of the men mentioned. Most of them are dead now. Winton J. Hunt is also deceased. But he left quite a legacy. Here is his obituary in the Salem Statesman. <br />
<i>Winton J. Hunt August 13, 1911 - May 21, 2009 SALEM - A loving husband and great Oregonian, Winton J. Hunt, age 97, died of natural causes at his home in Salem, Ore. He was born in Woodburn, Ore. to Jno and Molly (Meiring) Hunt. He attended U of O and Willamette Law School. After WWII, he took over the family insurance business (Jno Hunt & Son Insurance). In 1975, Winton married Dona Battig and became a loving stepfather to three children. He loved reading, history, fishing, golf, boating, and played baseball for U of O and the Salem Senators. He served his country as an Army Major, participating in the WWII Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge, receiving the Bronze Star in 1944. He was elected Oregon State Rep. 1957-1963, Chief Clerk 1965-1982, and served 30 years on the State Fair Board. Survived by wife, </i><br />
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Ready for this. . . a <a href="http://youtu.be/o_xDGD0OLMc">You Tube video </a>of him.<br />
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I'm currently trying to track down family members so hang on, there will be more I hope.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-34791223336678562362013-04-03T12:00:00.000-07:002013-04-03T12:00:00.743-07:00Easter 2013<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJeZF2kL93c/UVxNEkv6sjI/AAAAAAAABas/cliQKXQtP10/s1600/All+kids+Easter+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJeZF2kL93c/UVxNEkv6sjI/AAAAAAAABas/cliQKXQtP10/s320/All+kids+Easter+2013.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E65J7iq8xXs/UVxOZ2yYBrI/AAAAAAAABa0/Ovo1CFxyjII/s1600/grandpa+&+LULU+Easter+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E65J7iq8xXs/UVxOZ2yYBrI/AAAAAAAABa0/Ovo1CFxyjII/s320/grandpa+&+LULU+Easter+2013.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YT2fq8GHJFA/UVxOipChhnI/AAAAAAAABa8/cCYatbkaNec/s1600/LULU+&+Emery+Easter+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YT2fq8GHJFA/UVxOipChhnI/AAAAAAAABa8/cCYatbkaNec/s320/LULU+&+Emery+Easter+2013.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-No94txKEGew/UVxOpFZ36SI/AAAAAAAABbE/tw2l3Dqb4KE/s1600/Kentucky+Easter+2013+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-No94txKEGew/UVxOpFZ36SI/AAAAAAAABbE/tw2l3Dqb4KE/s320/Kentucky+Easter+2013+%232.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VFiDk44QcZs/UVxOx4QxWJI/AAAAAAAABbM/7NNsQJe3nbI/s1600/Kentucky+Easter+2013+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VFiDk44QcZs/UVxOx4QxWJI/AAAAAAAABbM/7NNsQJe3nbI/s320/Kentucky+Easter+2013+%231.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-08ShYshRGzc/UVxO9MpZPSI/AAAAAAAABbU/_VglGpPCDas/s1600/Korban+basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-08ShYshRGzc/UVxO9MpZPSI/AAAAAAAABbU/_VglGpPCDas/s320/Korban+basket.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHCAKX2rSvw/UVxPAAZbVbI/AAAAAAAABbc/oyGktB-v4J4/s1600/Joy+Easter+2013+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHCAKX2rSvw/UVxPAAZbVbI/AAAAAAAABbc/oyGktB-v4J4/s320/Joy+Easter+2013+%232.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-556e2g0qQYw/UVxPDJSVhrI/AAAAAAAABbk/sRIB9f85uAg/s1600/Josiah+Easter+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-556e2g0qQYw/UVxPDJSVhrI/AAAAAAAABbk/sRIB9f85uAg/s320/Josiah+Easter+2013.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rPL7MOjL334/UVxPFt4HJzI/AAAAAAAABbs/eTOX6nREVB4/s1600/Jenny+&+Lulu+Easter+2013+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rPL7MOjL334/UVxPFt4HJzI/AAAAAAAABbs/eTOX6nREVB4/s320/Jenny+&+Lulu+Easter+2013+%231.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ws-lCsU9kek/UVxPZ_EQqpI/AAAAAAAABb0/H6Gr8bzjWRc/s1600/Grandma+&+pa+easter+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ws-lCsU9kek/UVxPZ_EQqpI/AAAAAAAABb0/H6Gr8bzjWRc/s320/Grandma+&+pa+easter+2013.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd_MLZhsW-g/UVxPkkebRtI/AAAAAAAABcE/h7WEU-CrQ3M/s1600/Sara+&+Tristan+&+Cassidy+Easter+2013+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd_MLZhsW-g/UVxPkkebRtI/AAAAAAAABcE/h7WEU-CrQ3M/s320/Sara+&+Tristan+&+Cassidy+Easter+2013+%231.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cansDwxU0x4/UVxPovUJXZI/AAAAAAAABcM/qkyWWeYqdHY/s1600/Opi+Easter.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cansDwxU0x4/UVxPovUJXZI/AAAAAAAABcM/qkyWWeYqdHY/s320/Opi+Easter.jpg" /></a><br />
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A day full of color, sunshine, smiles and youthful excitement.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-80687239260695013292013-04-03T08:38:00.001-07:002013-04-03T08:38:13.149-07:00What'sa Quarius Nana? Joy was helping me yesterday clean up from the Easter festivities. She loves to sing. And does it all the time.<br />
She makes up songs or sings real songs. And it always amazes me how quickly she picks up a song and sings ON KEY and LOUD!<br />
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While singing something (I wasn't paying attention to what the tune was) she stopped and asked me what a "quarius" was. HUH? "quarius" like in the song. . ."when the moon is in the 7th house". oh oh oh. that is Aquarius!<br />
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So I told her Aquarius is a man pouring water out of a jug. Then I took her to the computer and we did a Youtube search and I found the <a href="http://youtu.be/kjxSCAalsBE">5th Dimension </a>version of the song. She said she had never seen it. So I was trying to figure out how she knew the song.<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/N9oq_IskRIg"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0QTPxRlGIZM/UVxKiRZGWtI/AAAAAAAABaY/f6s9cK1x2NA/s1600/hair+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0QTPxRlGIZM/UVxKiRZGWtI/AAAAAAAABaY/f6s9cK1x2NA/s320/hair+2.jpg" /></a></a><br />
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Click on the picture<br />
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She asked me if I know the movie where the guy goes "No No No " (while shaking her head back and forth) when they are going to cut his hair. Again I didn't understand what she was asking me. But on the Youtube page along the side are those clips and she pointed to one of them and said, "That one".<br />
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OOOOHHHHHHH<br />
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Click on this picture<br />
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<a href="http://youtu.be/hSefEsFMGL0"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5PYpBgGIQ1s/UVxKhMf0wcI/AAAAAAAABaQ/WvD3Gnpx33o/s1600/hair_1979.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5PYpBgGIQ1s/UVxKhMf0wcI/AAAAAAAABaQ/WvD3Gnpx33o/s320/hair_1979.jpg" /></a></a><br />
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She has been watching HAIR the musical.<br />
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I had to crack up. When I was in 6th grade I was in the school choir. At our spring concert we sang Aquarius & Let the Sun Shine. The year was 1969 so the song was very popular. Certain parents had a Kaniption (fit) because the song was about unholy worship (zodiac). And now my 5 year old granddaughter sings it and not only that. . . .watches the movie it was made famous in, another very controvertial performance.<br />
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The world is different.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBsf6sT_Rw8/UVxMhVnQC1I/AAAAAAAABak/VbNuoLw2LYI/s1600/hair1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBsf6sT_Rw8/UVxMhVnQC1I/AAAAAAAABak/VbNuoLw2LYI/s320/hair1a.jpg" /></a><br />
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Yes that is Tommy Lee Jones in a musical. BWAHHHHH<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-71634378581112707432013-01-01T10:20:00.000-08:002013-01-01T10:20:12.360-08:00New Year OmenAnd I thought my New Year's Day would be gloriously sunny and a great omen for the coming months.<br />
But a Shadow was cast upon this golden morning.<br />
With the sun comes the birds. With the birds comes a meal. . . .for the cat (Shadow)<br />
Sitting at the dining room table enjoying some reading I hear her meow in a strange muffled voice. She won’t shut up. I can barely see her in the family room. I get up and follow her meow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LG9LfSu_a8/UOMoRN3QmLI/AAAAAAAABZg/1Bl4elHOLkY/s1600/IMG_4239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LG9LfSu_a8/UOMoRN3QmLI/AAAAAAAABZg/1Bl4elHOLkY/s400/IMG_4239.JPG" /></a></div>I have not moved one single thing in this photo. Yes there is a dish of un-eaten cat food in the corner. Behind it is a furry play mouse.<br />
But there in front of Shadow is the real thing. She brought me a finch.<br />
Sigh. <b>Happy New Year MOM!<br />
</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-27292009431065872042012-12-05T20:28:00.001-08:002012-12-05T20:28:18.464-08:00German Sewing Diary page twoContinued from page one, the German Sewing Diary and Helli.<br />
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Sorry no pictures allowed.<br />
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If I can go by what Barbara says (girlfriend to Oliver), Oliver has become obsessed with this story as I have. It makes me giggle to think of our own story unfolding as we search for clues in the writings of a woman more than 80 years ago. There are layers and layers to this adventure. Should we say like an onion? But that would make you think it was stinky or produces tears. Then maybe it is like a rose with petals unfurling and revealing a center and fragrance oh so sweet. I have yet to figure out which it is to be.<br />
Onward shall we?<br />
Since we left Helli last, I have found/acquired another document that is very helpful to our story. Our curiosity lead both Oliver and I to the internet. Oliver found the name Neutzner in the diary. It was the last name of a set of grandparents. Paternal or Maternal we were yet to know. We found a family of Neutzner’s in Omaha, Nebraska. In particular a man named Heinz. By putting the last name in Ancestry.com we found even more.<br />
On Monday of this week I found a phone number listed in documents on Ancestry.com for a Heinz Neutzner. With fear and trepidation I called the number. Thus began a whirlwind of conversations and discoveries. All of which I wish I could put here in this blog. But alas, there are living family members that I feel obligated to protect and honor their requests.<br />
To help ease the pain of not concluding this mystery as I had hoped, I can tell you this much about Helli and the diary. Helli and her family did live through WWII. Her entire family immigrated to the US in 1954. She is alive and well and as I understand from speaking to her brother and sister, is still very lively and willing to chat with me. I hope I can in the near future. <br />
While Helli was cleaning out her house to make a move to a smaller apartment and the notebook was tossed, thinking it had no significance anymore. Helli’s younger sister is not happy about this. She has contacted me and asked if she could buy back the diary. Since I have scanned the whole book and contents, I agreed to sell it back so it can remain with the rightful family. I am very sensitive about family heirlooms being lost, that is, a portion of why I reached out to find the Neutzner family. This Diary was looking more and more like a baby book.<br />
Helli’s sister has spent many years collecting and writing a family memoir, with hope to publish it. They were kind enough to share it with me. It was this book, a very comprehensive look at not only the Neutzner family but a part of WWII that has been hidden and un-researched, that allowed me to know Helli and especially her mother on a very real level. Knowing why this woman who had so precisely logged the clothing and life events of Helli’s first 6 years, was the most important part for me. I have my answers now.<br />
Some of you (my blog readers) with whom I have shared other details about this diary, I will be able to tell you more of what I learned over dinner sometime. But, alas, those of you who do not know me personally I will have to end the tale of the Sewing Diary here. And I was so looking forward to sharing with you page 14 & 24. Maybe at another time.<br />
Auf Weidersehn.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-86322344963185644522012-12-01T09:38:00.000-08:002012-12-01T10:49:08.149-08:00A glimpse of Heli<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3qTd_0epaiU/ULo0KQfEV5I/AAAAAAAABY0/f7cyS9qALWw/s1600/GD%2BPage%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="321" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3qTd_0epaiU/ULo0KQfEV5I/AAAAAAAABY0/f7cyS9qALWw/s400/GD%2BPage%2B1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Her name is Helene, but on the day she was born, September 11, 1930 her mother flushed with the birth of her first child began to call her Heli.<br />
That is the first paragraph of the most interesting auction item I have ever purchased. The description of the item on the Auction website was “<i>Up for auction is an interesting crafting notebook from the 1930's. It features different swatches of cloth and clothing designs. Included are some sewing cards and old postcards. Everything appears to be written in German</i>.” <br />
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The photos were scarce and only a few of the items were pictured. So to bid on it was rather risky. But my gut told me that anything to do with sewing and a diary of sorts would be interesting no matter how small the information was, nor how hard it would be to translate it from German into English. So bid I did and won it for $17.00. I noted that the item was coming from the Iowa/Nebraska area. Knowing that many Germans immigrated to that area it made me curious when the diary/notebook had actually got to the US. These questions were just the beginning of a mystery that I am deep into now. Not only me but several of my friends. . .and now you if you continue to read.<br />
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When the book arrived I immediately determined that there were two languages to contend with. German, yes, but also something that looked to be Czech or Polish. The notebook which I will call a Diary was obviously in German. But the postcards and other ephemera were in the Czech/Polish. I began by scanning the Diary into jpegs that I could share with my many friends in Germany to enlist their help to translate. Oliver, in particular loves old books and old languages. I sent him the first page thinking he would not be interested in a woman’s sewing diary. Oh I was so wrong.<br />
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Oliver (part of my band of Krazy Krauts, they know I mean that effectionately) quickly told me the first page was written by the mother of Helene. Here is his translation.<br />
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<i>Established/started (the diary) on 25. of June 1932<br />
Sunday the 11th of September 1930 between 3:45 and 4 in the afternoon, our daughter Helene was born. After she had a bath (was cleaned up) I looked at the small, chubby-cheeked and red-cheeked child which was put into bed beside me. She weighed 3,75kg (8,27lb).<br />
On the 23th of September at 7:30 in the morning, we’ll get her baptized.<br />
The grandparents Neutzner, Franziska and Johann stood godparents. Heli got a nice “Taufbüchlein” (“baptism booklet” indicating that they were protestant, I think) with a pink ribbon, containing a 5 Kr (Czechoslovak koruna) piece with the year and birth-year 1930, as well as 300 Kr which we put on her savings account (unsure... maybe they just put the money in the abovementioned booklet). She was very good and quiet during the whole baptism ceremony. After a small breakfast, we dispersed (sounds better in German! maybe “we went separate ways”) only to all get back together in the evening for a “Taufschmaus” (baptism dinner).<br />
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<b>Data from the first page</b>: It begins on June 25, 1932. The mother is writing it in fountain pen. Helene (<i>Heli</i>) born on 9/11/30, christened 9/23/30. Godparents are also Grandparents Johann & Franzeska Neutzner.<br />
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Join me as I discover more about this little girl named Heli and help me. . .<br />
Turn the page.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-4292030948292055512012-09-20T14:42:00.000-07:002012-09-20T14:42:41.572-07:00Embarking on Inspiration<br />
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The brain loves a challenge. It loves to grow and expand. So I have decided to feed it.<br />
After working on that Ocean Floor necklace I wore it to Germany. My friend Siggi encouraged me to go further with this design idea. The bead embroidery on wool felt is at this moment my medium of choice.<br />
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With that in mind I cut out of paper a shape . At first I thought it looked like a bottle. But now I see a woman’s shape.<br />
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Make sure you click on the picture so you can see it larger and the detail.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EsZ9pBuDaUk/UFuHig48PoI/AAAAAAAABWw/mddt6YTOq3A/s1600/IMG_1901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EsZ9pBuDaUk/UFuHig48PoI/AAAAAAAABWw/mddt6YTOq3A/s200/IMG_1901.JPG" /></a></div>I backed it with stiff interfacing, the kind you use to make fabric bowls. I started with the door. And started beading. I had sketched some of it on paper but most of it was on the fly. <br />
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Once backed with a knit backed faux leather and edged in beads I had to take a long time to figure out how I was going to hang it. I chose 3 strands that were somewhat braided. One strand is leather/suede. (found at the Pendleton Wool store as scrap) and two are beaded strands. The whole design was suppose to be inspired by Summer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_tjx5BhzaA/UFuHk_3OHRI/AAAAAAAABXU/BAjIg_XGkXk/s1600/IMG_1909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_tjx5BhzaA/UFuHk_3OHRI/AAAAAAAABXU/BAjIg_XGkXk/s200/IMG_1909.JPG" /></a></div>I really like how it came out<br />
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Staying with the same shape I was inspired by the Perseid Meteor Shower that happened in August. Having gone out late at night with friends to enjoy the sight. <br />
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Using another door but now with the stars being a focus, this design has really fueled my momentum. I want to start naming these objects (pendants). This purple with stars will be “Door Van Gogh” after Vincent Van Gogh’s painting Starry Starry Night.<br />
.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7V6i1t5dwhA/UFuJWH68BpI/AAAAAAAABXw/FCTfegjTHM8/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="134" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7V6i1t5dwhA/UFuJWH68BpI/AAAAAAAABXw/FCTfegjTHM8/s200/IMG_2094.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I still have to hang it and have been learning a new craft that will allow me to make my own cords. It is called Kumihimo. This is a kind of Japanese craft of braiding cord/yarn/string. This is the cord I braided for Door Van Gogh. <br />
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I think I will include a strand of beads and wrap them together.<br />
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The Summer one is now named “Door into Summer” after my mother’s favorite Sci Fi book by Robert Heinlein. <br />
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Here are some other samples of the Kumihimo I did with beads. I used wimple junk crochet cotton with some plastic beads I have, no idea what size they are but they do not slide easily on the cotton so it was a little time consuming doing this beaded rope. The yellow/green one is done with random colors. The Blue Pink has only one strand of pink and the rest is blue.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zoa0fQ5FLSo/UFuJXsKMWrI/AAAAAAAABYI/fPnQhmG37PE/s1600/IMG_1895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zoa0fQ5FLSo/UFuJXsKMWrI/AAAAAAAABYI/fPnQhmG37PE/s200/IMG_1895.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZqyt3J7xc4/UFuJYY34ptI/AAAAAAAABYU/W1vsIqEnAXk/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZqyt3J7xc4/UFuJYY34ptI/AAAAAAAABYU/W1vsIqEnAXk/s200/IMG_1897.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Right now I am testing a 16 strand braid using my Possum yarn. Yes, yarn made with Possum wool?/hair. My friend Brenda brought it back from New Zealand for me. I wasn’t sure how I was going to use it since I don’t knit. But this Kumihimo is a great opportunity to test it with. More on that later.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-79139740400076746142012-09-04T12:31:00.003-07:002012-09-04T12:37:30.188-07:00Perlen = BeadOh my goodness it has been way too long since I posted a project on this blog. I am ashamed of myself. <br />
I have been busy creating, but not posting. Bad Mary, Bad Bad Bad Mary.<br />
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Inspiration has hit me smack in the middle of my forehead. This year has been full of ideas, momentum and encouragement from people I had not expected to hear from. I think I could zoom off into the stratasphere with all the energy and power these people have given me, if not for ONE thing. And that is so huge that it is the albatros around my neck.<br />
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TIME!<br />
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I must work and earn a wage. I must excercise and free myself from the scare of heart issues or stroke. I must spend time with family and create an enviroment that I can reap the benefits from later in my life. So with all of that chipping away at the clock, where do I find the time for creation? <br />
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I STEAL IT!<br />
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Sometimes they notice, but most of the time they don't . . .until it is too late.<br />
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Beading has taken over my design time. Blended with some embroidery as well. In Germany Perlen means Bead, once you know these other words then searching the internet becomes even better.<br />
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I want to share the results so far of my stolen time.<br />
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This one is titled "20,000 Leagues". I have always wanted to build a Mermaid cave or something of the like. <br />
This started with a piece of hand dyed wool felt. I cut a very organic shape out of it. The green cabachones were placed first. They are actually enameled discs that are slighted domed. <br />
While in the middle of it I took it to Bead Happy in Milwaukie to find some matching beads. There I showed it to the shop clerk and asked if I was making it to enter a contest. ??Contest? That is when I learned about the Fire Mountain Gem contests.<br />
I think I just might enter it. It also gave me the idea to make other works for contests.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H4thfVTth7M/UEZTNtQHhMI/AAAAAAAABRw/dcwdxWdkZJU/s1600/IMG_0392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H4thfVTth7M/UEZTNtQHhMI/AAAAAAAABRw/dcwdxWdkZJU/s400/IMG_0392.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gV2sNWtJqxg/UEZTOBeS2WI/AAAAAAAABR8/1RDM2KL7VKA/s1600/IMG_0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gV2sNWtJqxg/UEZTOBeS2WI/AAAAAAAABR8/1RDM2KL7VKA/s400/IMG_0393.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsPaev5zd7s/UEZTOmLmg_I/AAAAAAAABSI/fXfiPqJq0SQ/s1600/IMG_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsPaev5zd7s/UEZTOmLmg_I/AAAAAAAABSI/fXfiPqJq0SQ/s400/IMG_0394.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I wore this on the plane to Germany. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JedRWMb6HKY/UEZTPFPgKzI/AAAAAAAABSU/ha1MNAEpo4U/s1600/IMG_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JedRWMb6HKY/UEZTPFPgKzI/AAAAAAAABSU/ha1MNAEpo4U/s400/IMG_0396.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I also took this with me while visiting a friend in Bend. She took me to A Zillion Beads where again I pulled it out to match some colors. The clerks there as well as many customers drooled over it. I was pleasantly surprised. The shop manager suggested I become a showcase artist after she saw pictures of my other works.<br />
Hmmmm this might be a good thing.<br />
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What I learned during this piece is that weight is a tricky thing. I like the shape but it does not wear well on a busty woman.<br />
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I found some "fairy doors' or some places call them wish keepers. I knew I wanted to bead embroider around them but was not sure how to start. My shape, again, came out of an organic meeting of my scissors and the wool felt.<br />
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From the very beginning I knew I would be making a series of these and after the first one was completed I had already designed the other 4.<br />
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Here is The Door into Summer" named after one of my mother's favorite Heinlein SyFy books.<br />
Many bead embroidery artists cover the backing material completly with beads where as I love to have it become part of the design. Especially with my wool felt. I am now searching fo more hand dyed designs. Might do my own.<br />
The texture the wool adds it so nice.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sxH0e1y4oVg/UEZTPlqiuEI/AAAAAAAABSg/TZc5bXwf6Kg/s1600/IMG_2090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sxH0e1y4oVg/UEZTPlqiuEI/AAAAAAAABSg/TZc5bXwf6Kg/s400/IMG_2090.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnwqQTJqfKs/UEZUwTYjrPI/AAAAAAAABSw/FdBY9GF54AQ/s1600/IMG_2092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnwqQTJqfKs/UEZUwTYjrPI/AAAAAAAABSw/FdBY9GF54AQ/s400/IMG_2092.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tq9DjNrkVRU/UEZUwuWglEI/AAAAAAAABS8/2Bw4jZfMISE/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tq9DjNrkVRU/UEZUwuWglEI/AAAAAAAABS8/2Bw4jZfMISE/s400/IMG_2093.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And this is a sneak preview of the next one. Titled "Door Van Gogh" As in Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Starry Night. In August we joined some friends to watch the meteor showers. This is my interpretation of the shooting stars we saw that night on a hilltop outside of Portland.<br />
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Just to be clear this is a work in progress, there are actual diamond like stones going in each of the stars.<br />
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My dear friend <a href="http://www.perlen-haekeln.de/index.html">Siggi</a>, from Germany, has pushed me into believing that I could sell items like these. And even developed the possibility of making evening bag/purses with my beading and embroidery on it. I need to work up more "stock" before I consider selling. I would much rather be a showcase artist or a teacher first. I'll start there.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-26930685749694613002012-03-04T19:11:00.006-08:002012-03-05T07:54:31.166-08:00DUCK, DUCK GOOSE!This blog post will be full of pictures and captions and one small story.It is an excercise with the camera so please forgive the many grandchildren pictures. It was a beautifully sunny day at the duck pond here in Canby and I convinced Korban and Joy to be my subjects.<br />We went there at 4pm so the setting sun comes into the park from across the Molalla river and creates beautiful lighting.<br /><br />Joy loves the tire swing and the regular swing.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpySjbcm3Zc/T1RGeeuBQJI/AAAAAAAABRg/W59RMiHxIho/s1600/blog2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpySjbcm3Zc/T1RGeeuBQJI/AAAAAAAABRg/W59RMiHxIho/s400/blog2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716271316496105618" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flUTqfu3ah0/T1RGec4NmBI/AAAAAAAABRQ/oSUqOrI5GhE/s1600/blog3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flUTqfu3ah0/T1RGec4NmBI/AAAAAAAABRQ/oSUqOrI5GhE/s400/blog3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716271316001986578" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOvgTWU-T1s/T1RGd3upoMI/AAAAAAAABRI/YvHQy1_JQNU/s1600/blog%2B4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOvgTWU-T1s/T1RGd3upoMI/AAAAAAAABRI/YvHQy1_JQNU/s400/blog%2B4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716271306029768898" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ExQvkRK1woc/T1RGdyr4jfI/AAAAAAAABRA/bfrvps5eQX0/s1600/Blog%2B5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ExQvkRK1woc/T1RGdyr4jfI/AAAAAAAABRA/bfrvps5eQX0/s400/Blog%2B5.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716271304675986930" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-waNvI0S6bcY/T1RGTcwMdCI/AAAAAAAABQ0/1sn2UJ4VJ7I/s1600/blog%2B6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-waNvI0S6bcY/T1RGTcwMdCI/AAAAAAAABQ0/1sn2UJ4VJ7I/s400/blog%2B6.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716271126989796386" /></a><br />Pushin' Big Brother<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cNd25NCS0GE/T1RGSs03EWI/AAAAAAAABQk/ubmftpY-8dg/s1600/Blog%2B7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cNd25NCS0GE/T1RGSs03EWI/AAAAAAAABQk/ubmftpY-8dg/s400/Blog%2B7.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716271114124464482" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KHuZhIhxS7U/T1RGSTpKH7I/AAAAAAAABQY/LXkuFWcWY-0/s1600/blog%2B8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KHuZhIhxS7U/T1RGSTpKH7I/AAAAAAAABQY/LXkuFWcWY-0/s400/blog%2B8.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716271107364495282" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8i6UXPlel3w/T1RGR0zxINI/AAAAAAAABQQ/PDgtAmH4L8o/s1600/blog%2B9.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8i6UXPlel3w/T1RGR0zxINI/AAAAAAAABQQ/PDgtAmH4L8o/s400/blog%2B9.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716271099087495378" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1w_ZxAPBdag/T1RGRz77MRI/AAAAAAAABQE/lMNZgHZvyJs/s1600/blog%2B10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1w_ZxAPBdag/T1RGRz77MRI/AAAAAAAABQE/lMNZgHZvyJs/s400/blog%2B10.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716271098853273874" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lEmhzKDwsRU/T1RGCqSZtCI/AAAAAAAABP0/Mmhs18RcXVI/s1600/Blog%2B11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lEmhzKDwsRU/T1RGCqSZtCI/AAAAAAAABP0/Mmhs18RcXVI/s400/Blog%2B11.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716270838565155874" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fxhv1mquWyI/T1RGCfZUSmI/AAAAAAAABPo/n39r2Ut0gPQ/s1600/Blog%2B12.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fxhv1mquWyI/T1RGCfZUSmI/AAAAAAAABPo/n39r2Ut0gPQ/s400/Blog%2B12.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716270835641371234" /></a><br /><br />Doesn't this totally say "HE's not sharing!"<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I7X7ZNZrqYA/T1RGCDUAJ3I/AAAAAAAABPc/QktT_xd7UFg/s1600/Blog%2B13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I7X7ZNZrqYA/T1RGCDUAJ3I/AAAAAAAABPc/QktT_xd7UFg/s400/Blog%2B13.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716270828102887282" /></a><br />Now the short story. . . .<br />Keep your eye on the cream colored goose.Korban loves the animals so much he was feeding the geese straight from his hand. This is ok for ducks if they actually get close enough, but Geese. . .no.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSrNajqPQAE/T1RGBz74NvI/AAAAAAAABPU/abkFVEoqTa4/s1600/Blog%2B14.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSrNajqPQAE/T1RGBz74NvI/AAAAAAAABPU/abkFVEoqTa4/s400/Blog%2B14.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716270823975171826" /></a><br />NOw the goose is "posturing".<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--oK02o2Py7k/T1RGBbNgjUI/AAAAAAAABPI/zEs_Cmp_DAs/s1600/Blog%2B15.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--oK02o2Py7k/T1RGBbNgjUI/AAAAAAAABPI/zEs_Cmp_DAs/s400/Blog%2B15.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716270817338232130" /></a><br />I'm beginning to get worried but still taking pictures.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-af6WZqAVWek/T1QvSah3WUI/AAAAAAAABO8/jW8_pCgTwRs/s1600/Blog%2B16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-af6WZqAVWek/T1QvSah3WUI/AAAAAAAABO8/jW8_pCgTwRs/s400/Blog%2B16.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716245820445514050" /></a><br />Now you see the creamed colored goose has gone around behind the kids. She sure knows how to go in for the kill.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pRSXFM31TUs/T1QvR7YWOYI/AAAAAAAABOw/I9ueYyv5NAU/s1600/Blog%2B17.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pRSXFM31TUs/T1QvR7YWOYI/AAAAAAAABOw/I9ueYyv5NAU/s400/Blog%2B17.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716245812084095362" /></a><br />Joy figures out the next move. . .Run for Nana. <br />Korban got attacked, the goose was biting his shirt. Korban was very scared and ran to me too.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CydkcMLWH2o/T1QvRUU8AMI/AAAAAAAABOk/UK9TAlccUk8/s1600/Blog%2B18.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CydkcMLWH2o/T1QvRUU8AMI/AAAAAAAABOk/UK9TAlccUk8/s400/Blog%2B18.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716245801600811202" /></a><br />There are no pictures of what happened next, that is cause NANA was being attacked by the Goose. She postured and charged me. As I was running backwards only 2 feet from the pond's edge. I realized I was going to fall in if I didn't stop.<br />Yelling at the bird didn't help so with her 4 inches from my knees and snapping I took my right hand, made a fist and punched the bird in the back. She immediatly stopped and honked indignently and walked away, never to bother us again.<br />Now. . . please understand, I only used enough force to deter the goose, like you would to stop a Dog from chewing on something.<br />But it was quite a scene I wish someone else could have captured on film. I'm a hero in the kid's eyes. LOL!<br /><br /><br />Enough of the duck Pond. . .this picture reminds me of Hansel & Gretal.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1vLECuYKVQg/T1QvRDFzPgI/AAAAAAAABOU/MNcQeMIlRes/s1600/Blog%2B20.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1vLECuYKVQg/T1QvRDFzPgI/AAAAAAAABOU/MNcQeMIlRes/s400/Blog%2B20.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716245796973919746" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDoA2aIeJ-o/T1QvQ-qCd-I/AAAAAAAABOM/LZJ6QtnSztE/s1600/blog1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDoA2aIeJ-o/T1QvQ-qCd-I/AAAAAAAABOM/LZJ6QtnSztE/s400/blog1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716245795783735266" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-29661252816344049542011-06-12T20:20:00.000-07:002011-06-12T20:28:34.267-07:00I Spy. . .Finished one project, now onto a new one.<br />The Steampunk Spy Glasses. . .one is done. Here is the finished Owl with the Snakes on the reverse side. I learned a lot about Polymer clay on this project.<br /><br />Fresh is better. Blending is fun. And it is darn heavy so watch how much you build up with.<br /><br />The second Spy Glass is in the oven as I write this, so there may be an addendum to this blog before tomorrow.<br /><br />Just in case you are confused as to what these are. . . .Think Sherlock Holmes meets Tinkerbell, sorta. When you go hunting for fairies you can't look like a human.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-226fej7rjS0/TfWDEUVKCWI/AAAAAAAABJo/DmEe1vUHqkE/s1600/IMG_0655.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-226fej7rjS0/TfWDEUVKCWI/AAAAAAAABJo/DmEe1vUHqkE/s400/IMG_0655.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617540220414724450" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikFWhufBtgo/TfWDDlCgPjI/AAAAAAAABJg/0UfJco_ugS0/s1600/IMG_0642.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikFWhufBtgo/TfWDDlCgPjI/AAAAAAAABJg/0UfJco_ugS0/s400/IMG_0642.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617540207720021554" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sHhigiIuLDw/TfWDDWIjL6I/AAAAAAAABJY/70fRYnfZXDk/s1600/IMG_0651.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sHhigiIuLDw/TfWDDWIjL6I/AAAAAAAABJY/70fRYnfZXDk/s400/IMG_0651.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617540203718848418" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y61CYrqk7X8/TfWDDKHHdqI/AAAAAAAABJQ/OG8ZeADZLIc/s1600/IMG_0650.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y61CYrqk7X8/TfWDDKHHdqI/AAAAAAAABJQ/OG8ZeADZLIc/s400/IMG_0650.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617540200491611810" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-36611072611463271652011-05-21T23:42:00.000-07:002011-05-21T23:49:14.777-07:00Here's looking at you KidLatest project.<br />Steampunk Magnifying glass<br />Made from, vintage Ping Pong paddle with suede surface, two chipped and dull magnifying lenses, 2 gold bracelets from Claires, Gold & Brown Fimo polymer clay.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oxaE0znKyvk/TdiwmXEhXLI/AAAAAAAABJE/ecI9optvmIE/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oxaE0znKyvk/TdiwmXEhXLI/AAAAAAAABJE/ecI9optvmIE/s400/IMG_0434.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609427508964449458" /></a><br />Still need to drill holes for the lenses so you can "Look Through" the eyes of the owl. Glue on the eyes & brows. Wood Burn feathers into the suede. AND the other side needs to be completed.<br /><br />I have another paddle and grouping of lenses with a totally different design worked out.<br />Super cool.<br />What would I use them for???<br />Not only am I designing a new Steam Punk costume and character. But I will be going to the Fairy Festival in June and will be HUNTING FAIRIES. . .using my new magnifying glass.<br />More to come.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-23473112462584742962011-05-11T15:18:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:25:45.421-07:00Xavier is all strung upIT”S ALIVE!!!<br /><br />Xavier has been hit with a bolt of electricity and has come alive!<br /><br />Or. . . <br />Gepetto dreamed of a blue fairy and the block of wood became a little boy.<br /><br />In My case that block of wood became a dirty ol’ man. LOL.<br /><br />Remember where he started?<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AWR3jH8GfmM/TcsLuDaxL9I/AAAAAAAABIA/XsN6Ob6sXA0/s1600/Xavier%2B1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AWR3jH8GfmM/TcsLuDaxL9I/AAAAAAAABIA/XsN6Ob6sXA0/s400/Xavier%2B1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605587047012184018" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TRDb_ULQ_UQ/TcsLuSxME3I/AAAAAAAABII/vPn6xA7h3IY/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TRDb_ULQ_UQ/TcsLuSxME3I/AAAAAAAABII/vPn6xA7h3IY/s400/IMG_0186.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605587051132752754" /></a><br /><br />Well now he looks like this. And I must say, for my first attempt to carve ANYTHING let alone human figure, I think I did ok.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2umvSnoxZw/TcsLvIDzHnI/AAAAAAAABIY/7Jb8wWiVeOo/s1600/Xavier%2BFinal%2B1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2umvSnoxZw/TcsLvIDzHnI/AAAAAAAABIY/7Jb8wWiVeOo/s400/Xavier%2BFinal%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605587065437888114" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LfE7-hu9Zs0/TcsLut1gSGI/AAAAAAAABIQ/CbdSdO_W6yw/s1600/Xavier%2BFinal%2B2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LfE7-hu9Zs0/TcsLut1gSGI/AAAAAAAABIQ/CbdSdO_W6yw/s400/Xavier%2BFinal%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605587058398611554" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv8pyV0wj6A/TcsL-R1tKpI/AAAAAAAABIg/1AxaY6FXedY/s1600/Xavier%2Bfinal%2B3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv8pyV0wj6A/TcsL-R1tKpI/AAAAAAAABIg/1AxaY6FXedY/s400/Xavier%2Bfinal%2B3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605587325761170066" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Yes I know his eyes are weird as well as his mouth. Can I say he is a stroke victim and explain away his lop-sided-ness? Nay. . .he is just as lopsided as his creator.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngJhQPwEuvg/TcsL_VbyY-I/AAAAAAAABI4/D4BF8DLg_4k/s1600/Xavier%2Bfinal%2B5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngJhQPwEuvg/TcsL_VbyY-I/AAAAAAAABI4/D4BF8DLg_4k/s400/Xavier%2Bfinal%2B5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605587343906071522" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzVXL0w5EOc/TcsL-8-MEVI/AAAAAAAABIw/hFD9FR0QIZU/s1600/Xavier%2Bfinal%2B7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzVXL0w5EOc/TcsL-8-MEVI/AAAAAAAABIw/hFD9FR0QIZU/s400/Xavier%2Bfinal%2B7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605587337339474258" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UZDFWP1hcwQ/TcsL-uZAX9I/AAAAAAAABIo/6jTl47kORyo/s1600/Xavier%2Bfinal%2B4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UZDFWP1hcwQ/TcsL-uZAX9I/AAAAAAAABIo/6jTl47kORyo/s400/Xavier%2Bfinal%2B4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605587333425422290" /></a><br /><br />And the biggest thing I can say is that my teacher was the best. Patient, guiding and creative beyond belief. So talented and an awesome person to-boot. Thank you Geahk!<br /><br />Xavier came out very close to what I drew and envisioned.<br />I’m happy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-90895437901786251172011-05-11T08:33:00.000-07:002011-05-11T08:39:13.974-07:00For the Love of Books4th grade was a turning point in my reading abilities. <br />You know I love to read. And it gets in the way of work and housework and many other things. At least in school you have a good excuse to read.<br />4th grade started in Santa Maria California and mid way through it we moved to Mission Hills, a subdivision of Lompoc, California. The civil town outside Vandenburg AFB.<br />I digress<br />Having to switch schools in mid year was soon to become the norm in my education timeline. <br /> In 4th grade you begin to read hefty chapter books. Between the requirements of the 4th grade teacher and the leisure reading of my mother’s I went through these books in a very short period of time.<br /><br />Charlotte’s Web<br />Stuart Little<br />Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory<br />Mr Popper’s Penguins<br />The Enormous Egg<br />Black Beauty<br />Paddle to the Sea<br />From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiller<br />Mary Poppins<br />As well as a scattered few Nancy Drew mysteries<br /><br />Do any of these titles look familiar?<br />They should. All but two have been made into movies/TV series since I read them. And the two (Mary Poppins & Black Beauty) were made into movies BEFORE I read them.<br /><br />In some cases they have been made TWICE! <br />The latest is <a href="http://mr-poppers-penguins.the-movie-trailer.com/">Mr Popper’s Penguins</a> which will be released in June, staring Jim Carey.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1NYm85KXRg/Tcqs1PGfbfI/AAAAAAAABHw/kDUQt6jFG_E/s1600/Jim_Carrey_Mr_Popper%2527s_Penguins.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1NYm85KXRg/Tcqs1PGfbfI/AAAAAAAABHw/kDUQt6jFG_E/s400/Jim_Carrey_Mr_Popper%2527s_Penguins.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605482716802805234" /></a><br /><br />Does this make me feel old? No. . . .It is revisiting old friends. . .or it should be. My disappointment is that the children today will miss the richness of the characters that are built up in the book, and only rely on the actor/director’s interpretation which is not always the best.<br />But I should have faith that, like Harry Potter, the movie will spark the interest and the child will look for the book and have a better experience.<br /><br />One can only hope.<br /><br />I’m sure those grown kids that loved their comic books were eager to see their hero/villain explode on the screen. And yet they return to the printed page to continue their love affair with their heros.<br /><br />Thus I will do shortly. . . . as soon as I finished the damn work report due by COB today.<br />Sigh!<br /><br />On a similar note: yesterday Kentucky was helping Grandpa build a large picnic table for the summer. He then was handed the leaf blower to clean off the sawdust and dirt off the deck. When done he asked Grandpa "So how much do I get for this?" This made Grandpa laugh and say "I feed you". What he didn't know is that there is a book fair at school this week and Kentucky wanted $ to buy more books.<br />AWESOME!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-35884173833787941752011-04-17T18:08:00.000-07:002011-04-17T20:23:04.606-07:00Xavier in part. . .sXavier has developmental issues. I am one week away from the final class and there are many things that still need to be done before he can walk, talk and do the basics. And that doesn’t include having clothes. <br /><br />You can see wood putty (yellow tinge) on his face and kneecaps. I had to do knee surgery on him, His kneecap got shredded. . . .might had had something to do with the Mafia and his not paying his bill at the Hofbrauhaus. <br /><br />By looking at his feet we can see a definate problem with Bunions. . .. and I am sure he suffers from Gout. This will lead to some interesting dance steps as he tries to impress the ladies with the "turn of his leg",pun intended. <A href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCQPFZPfHwY/TauSMkRvGJI/AAAAAAAABHA/GiCdnW1RQJs/s1600/IMG_9816.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596727706532124818 border=0 alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCQPFZPfHwY/TauSMkRvGJI/AAAAAAAABHA/GiCdnW1RQJs/s400/IMG_9816.JPG"></A> <A href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j_J6EaR-Uis/TauSMXr7SKI/AAAAAAAABG4/ClkJxgLK6lQ/s1600/IMG_9815.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596727703152314530 border=0 alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j_J6EaR-Uis/TauSMXr7SKI/AAAAAAAABG4/ClkJxgLK6lQ/s400/IMG_9815.JPG"></A> Monkey Arms. . .at this time Xavier has one arm whitled but not sanded and no hand attached. The other arm does have a hand attached but is only in rough cut stage. Plenty to do here for my homework. The joint for the wrist is interesting. In theory I know how to do it. I watched Teacher Geack (pronounced Jack) do the completed one. Now. . . .can I do the same good job on the other hand. . .. a true test. <A href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAmytVpQ4CY/TauSMI9mJ5I/AAAAAAAABGw/Nv1ILTZaBZE/s1600/IMG_9831.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596727699199895442 border=0 alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAmytVpQ4CY/TauSMI9mJ5I/AAAAAAAABGw/Nv1ILTZaBZE/s400/IMG_9831.JPG"></A> <A href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m6kw_4rqbPM/TauSLuUfafI/AAAAAAAABGo/Pnnfa9VvHzs/s1600/IMG_9812.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596727692048165362 border=0 alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m6kw_4rqbPM/TauSLuUfafI/AAAAAAAABGo/Pnnfa9VvHzs/s400/IMG_9812.JPG"></A> <A href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dt8LrqaP1OY/TauSLeAkXQI/AAAAAAAABGg/GPpaVA3obFw/s1600/IMG_9811.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596727687669636354 border=0 alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dt8LrqaP1OY/TauSLeAkXQI/AAAAAAAABGg/GPpaVA3obFw/s400/IMG_9811.JPG"></A> The legs are attached in an interesting fashion. Since these will be under pants they don't have to have a formal joint. So they are attached with eyelets. Yes I did them myself. No teacher help here. <A href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mIis91rS_XY/TauSjcTqANI/AAAAAAAABHY/Wp3qflV232Y/s1600/IMG_9824.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596728099529687250 border=0 alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mIis91rS_XY/TauSjcTqANI/AAAAAAAABHY/Wp3qflV232Y/s400/IMG_9824.JPG"></A> <A href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MuJqhHYh9Zo/TauSjv3c13I/AAAAAAAABHo/mx-00xGyzfI/s1600/IMG_9826.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596728104780093298 border=0 alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MuJqhHYh9Zo/TauSjv3c13I/AAAAAAAABHo/mx-00xGyzfI/s400/IMG_9826.JPG"></A> <A href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ms5fvaTjscE/TauSjT8Jf8I/AAAAAAAABHg/kcQakMOLTYQ/s1600/IMG_9825.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596728097283604418 border=0 alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ms5fvaTjscE/TauSjT8Jf8I/AAAAAAAABHg/kcQakMOLTYQ/s400/IMG_9825.JPG"></A> The head is now attached to the upper torso. Again, I did do this myself. I liked the results. I want so badly to put the hair on him, but I have to wait till after he is sealed and painted. sigh. <A href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gPK1IxG3-JQ/TauSjJ8trAI/AAAAAAAABHQ/UMN579vKWMo/s1600/IMG_9827.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596728094601620482 border=0 alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gPK1IxG3-JQ/TauSjJ8trAI/AAAAAAAABHQ/UMN579vKWMo/s400/IMG_9827.JPG"></A> <A href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdjpztMbpaM/TauSi3Y3rzI/AAAAAAAABHI/_wOLvhBV22c/s1600/IMG_9820.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596728089619443506 border=0 alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdjpztMbpaM/TauSi3Y3rzI/AAAAAAAABHI/_wOLvhBV22c/s400/IMG_9820.JPG"></A> There is still plenty to do before next Saturday, last class. And at the last class we will string Xavier and make him walk. . . . ."It's Alive!!!!!!!" Dr. Frankenstein I am not. but I can try. <br /><br />Jaci, Geack is going to hold another class in the fall, I hope you can do it. It is well worth the money and time. And his studio is a DREAM for people like you and me. This video is just a quick view of part of the studio. You get to see the puppets he already has done. A real bear that has been remade to work in a commercial and so much more. And of course tools and materials. Makes me laugh to see Jerry stand in awe during our visit to this studio. This is the CastIron Carousel Puppet studio.<br /><OBJECT id=BLOG_video-ac0420a56c71aa04 class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="ac0420a56c71aa04"></OBJECT>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-30437034427802442332011-04-06T20:16:00.000-07:002011-04-06T20:30:30.449-07:00Wood chips and gougesXavier still finding his way out of the block!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s3Kh_yO6aCE/TZ0vNA_nc-I/AAAAAAAABGQ/U-2hVhgd6Fs/s1600/IMG_9794.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s3Kh_yO6aCE/TZ0vNA_nc-I/AAAAAAAABGQ/U-2hVhgd6Fs/s400/IMG_9794.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592678212915655650" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m4fHZMuFFSI/TZ0vMzLU9mI/AAAAAAAABGI/7M34P9OExDw/s1600/IMG_9793.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m4fHZMuFFSI/TZ0vMzLU9mI/AAAAAAAABGI/7M34P9OExDw/s400/IMG_9793.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592678209206679138" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmHKXss6LEY/TZ0vMmp3YZI/AAAAAAAABGA/N1zGWYL2YLY/s1600/IMG_9790.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmHKXss6LEY/TZ0vMmp3YZI/AAAAAAAABGA/N1zGWYL2YLY/s400/IMG_9790.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592678205845102994" /></a><br /><br />Body image problems, just like a girl.<br /><br />Right Hand preparing to be the Snuff hand.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gVtA4uA9bOw/TZ0uzF6U69I/AAAAAAAABF4/MSwUDnE2lJ4/s1600/IMG_9787.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gVtA4uA9bOw/TZ0uzF6U69I/AAAAAAAABF4/MSwUDnE2lJ4/s400/IMG_9787.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592677767559048146" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-sQTfQf9gs/TZ0uy0VCDLI/AAAAAAAABFw/lWlyLaOcJ_k/s1600/IMG_9786.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-sQTfQf9gs/TZ0uy0VCDLI/AAAAAAAABFw/lWlyLaOcJ_k/s400/IMG_9786.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592677762839219378" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HEtwwCZ09xA/TZ0uylUWouI/AAAAAAAABFo/Cg5746l0YUw/s1600/IMG_9785.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HEtwwCZ09xA/TZ0uylUWouI/AAAAAAAABFo/Cg5746l0YUw/s400/IMG_9785.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592677758809842402" /></a><br /><br />Gouging out the knee, glad the doctor doesn't do it this way.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VXR9LJYDh9Q/TZ0uyfHkORI/AAAAAAAABFg/oiook09a_d0/s1600/IMG_9778.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VXR9LJYDh9Q/TZ0uyfHkORI/AAAAAAAABFg/oiook09a_d0/s400/IMG_9778.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592677757145594130" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fu0ZzKLO5R0/TZ0uyMAOZZI/AAAAAAAABFY/7-JJSlFkPhw/s1600/IMG_9773.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fu0ZzKLO5R0/TZ0uyMAOZZI/AAAAAAAABFY/7-JJSlFkPhw/s400/IMG_9773.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592677752014529938" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-64415498635994449432011-03-20T13:38:00.000-07:002011-03-20T13:38:00.155-07:00The N Word<strong>Navigate</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6MmuVDYsVvQ/TYRCV4_MSyI/AAAAAAAABD4/_F0SE59QH_Q/s1600/IMG_5396.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6MmuVDYsVvQ/TYRCV4_MSyI/AAAAAAAABD4/_F0SE59QH_Q/s400/IMG_5396.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585662381688376098" /></a><br />Just for fun I am using a picture that our German friends took last week when we took them on a hike to Silver Creek Falls. More on that adventure on the other blog.<br /><br />Though our first thought is nautical Navigate has a wide range of uses.<br /><br />Read the map. . .use the GPS. . . can also be<br />Read the face. . . listen to the implied words.<br /><br />We navigate life and some of us don’t stop to ask for directions.<br />I’m guilty. . . . .are you?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-75752299956908997252011-03-19T13:32:00.000-07:002011-03-19T13:32:01.088-07:00The M Word<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e3GuwNasQvY/TYQ__xBCl8I/AAAAAAAABDw/G6uZn1oxNgA/s1600/hd_light-through-oak-leaves.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 154px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e3GuwNasQvY/TYQ__xBCl8I/AAAAAAAABDw/G6uZn1oxNgA/s320/hd_light-through-oak-leaves.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585659802568267714" /></a><br /><strong>Meditate</strong><br />I feel strongly about Meditation. <br />I think we should all take time to do it. <br /><br />Unfortunately Men as a group don’t know how and don’t want to learn how to do it. They would just rather fall asleep. That is their definition of Meditate.<br /><br /><br />I have favorite place I go for my meditation. In my head that is.<br /><br />At the age of 13 my family lived on a remote piece of property. It was in the midst of a forest on an obscure river here in Oregon. <br /><br />Trees were everywhere, in fact it was a piece of logging property.<br /><br />Dad made a tree house in the middle of 5 sugar Maples. It was just a platform, not a covered house. But at the age of 13 it gave me a place to escape an 11 year old brother and an 8 year old sister. I did a lot on dreaming on that platform as I looked to the sky covered with a quilt made of large green maple leaves. <br /><br />To this day I use that place to meditate in. <br /><br />Find your place, go there and often. <br />Teach your children how to do this especially your sons.<br /> Let them learn the advantages of meditation, they will appreciate it and you 10 years from now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-91234636913578784662011-03-19T12:06:00.000-07:002011-03-19T12:22:05.649-07:00Playing with KnivesIt has been many MANY months since I have put my art work on this blog. A dry spell had me in it’s chains.<br /><br />In February I watched an Etsy video that introduced a puppet maker. Not your ordinary one by any means. The best part is that he was located in Portland. After exploring his website I saw he was conducting wood carving classes to learn to make a Marionette Puppet. WOW, and they were dark and eclectic puppets, just my style. So I signed up.<br /><br />Now you will see my, hopefully, weekly progress.<br />Tools <br />An F clamp<br />A beginners wood carving knife <br />A Kevlar glove. <br />Pencil<br />A BIG eraser (in my case)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mwY5tE0xU_8/TYUArRZvF-I/AAAAAAAABEo/YGcFnxDwzCk/s1600/Tools%2B1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mwY5tE0xU_8/TYUArRZvF-I/AAAAAAAABEo/YGcFnxDwzCk/s320/Tools%2B1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585871656228689890" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tr9s-TOXkEc/TYUAO0K8cMI/AAAAAAAABEI/BRiGJRy-Ktw/s1600/Tools%2B2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tr9s-TOXkEc/TYUAO0K8cMI/AAAAAAAABEI/BRiGJRy-Ktw/s320/Tools%2B2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585871167345684674" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3-1E6PI4ozY/TYUAOUg1nXI/AAAAAAAABEA/mz-dJbYshtY/s1600/tools%2B3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3-1E6PI4ozY/TYUAOUg1nXI/AAAAAAAABEA/mz-dJbYshtY/s320/tools%2B3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585871158847577458" /></a><br /><br />The Teacher is Geack, pronounced Jack sorta.<br />Here is his <a href="http://www.castironcarousel.org/events/2010/fall-intermediate-marionette-carving-class">website</a>.<br /><br />WE began the first two lessons with creating and drawing a character.<br /><br />I stared with Nelly. This is who I eventually would like to make. But soon decided that I wanted to learn to do old men first with their wrinkles and such. So I switched to Xavier.<br />He has a bit of a beer belly and lots of loose skin on his face. Bald with long grey hair to put in a pony tail. The character’s personality comes from someone I met in Germany over 10 years ago. But the physical look is going for my cousin Warren. No he doesn’t have a nose like Xavier. I am sure he will appreciate my attempts, if not I’ll just hit him with Xavier’s wooden leg.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fvao8DIIVbE/TYUAsK3qOlI/AAAAAAAABFA/LIA40c8KCj0/s1600/Xavier%2B2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fvao8DIIVbE/TYUAsK3qOlI/AAAAAAAABFA/LIA40c8KCj0/s320/Xavier%2B2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585871671655021138" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VTNbtMYeRG4/TYUArwAeE_I/AAAAAAAABE4/akqeM-9hoQ0/s1600/Xavier%2B1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VTNbtMYeRG4/TYUArwAeE_I/AAAAAAAABE4/akqeM-9hoQ0/s320/Xavier%2B1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585871664444216306" /></a><br /><br />Actually shaving off wood from a block is fun. Cutting out chunks is hard. I will have to strengthen my hands more. This takes a lot more Umpf than a needle and thread.<br /> Here are my first cuts. Not so pretty. You have to get a 45degree angle to take out wedges. I seem to go shallow.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wNVWBMPZVRs/TYUAPcR-ldI/AAAAAAAABEY/wRABat60GzU/s1600/first%2Bcuts%2B1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wNVWBMPZVRs/TYUAPcR-ldI/AAAAAAAABEY/wRABat60GzU/s320/first%2Bcuts%2B1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585871178112603602" /></a><br /><br />Then I practiced a bit more and got a better bite out of the wood. The eye is much better here.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDObve1HKq0/TYUAP0Cwm1I/AAAAAAAABEg/7OZByKUR34g/s1600/second%2Bcuts.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDObve1HKq0/TYUAP0Cwm1I/AAAAAAAABEg/7OZByKUR34g/s320/second%2Bcuts.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585871184491223890" /></a><br /><br />Then on my own I tried a small face. Can you see him? He is very rough.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SxPWljcnAe4/TYUAxf4cfNI/AAAAAAAABFQ/LpO5xtlii6g/s1600/the%2Bface%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bwood%2B2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SxPWljcnAe4/TYUAxf4cfNI/AAAAAAAABFQ/LpO5xtlii6g/s320/the%2Bface%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bwood%2B2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585871763194805458" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qxs36UV9aZE/TYUAsdwltwI/AAAAAAAABFI/D4B44DYtBFE/s1600/the%2Bface%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bwood%2B1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qxs36UV9aZE/TYUAsdwltwI/AAAAAAAABFI/D4B44DYtBFE/s320/the%2Bface%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bwood%2B1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585871676725638914" /></a><br /><br />Today is lesson 3 and we should come home with the head to carve. This is getting exciting. <br /><br />Xavier likes Snuff so he will have a nose that can appreciate snuff. Weird I know. But this guy really does exist in Germany. He likes Beer, Women and Snuff. And he is a lot older than me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-54614438145763249452011-03-18T08:39:00.000-07:002011-03-18T08:43:00.760-07:00Ich Liebe Dich<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ImDuYGcUzm8/TYN9Bi6iRAI/AAAAAAAABDo/9frcbbBDIiw/s1600/liebe.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ImDuYGcUzm8/TYN9Bi6iRAI/AAAAAAAABDo/9frcbbBDIiw/s320/liebe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585445428375208962" /></a><br />Liebe<br />Did I put the criteria for the ABC’s to be in English?<br />Nope!<br />I have just spent 5 days with a bunch of German’s in my house. (thus the pause in my blog) Wonderful, funny Germans. <br />So the word Liebe comes to mind for my L word.<br />Translation – Love, sex, devotion, adoration. <br /><br />Like English it can mean many things. When the British use it, it is an endearment of sorts. Hello Love, or Must be off, Love.<br /><br />Add ling to Liebe and you have Liebling or Favorite, Darling.<br /><br />Add the S and you have the adjective Liebes - Kind, Sweet, Cute, Welcomed<br /><br />Adding a letter is like adding frosting to the cake. The cake is good by itself and the frosting just enhances it.<br /><br />Love is good by itself and just as good in other forms.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-67822225569234950202011-03-11T11:45:00.000-08:002011-03-11T11:45:00.381-08:00It's a family affairThe Letter K<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAyyvASmvtQ/TXkqfwAxJII/AAAAAAAABDg/pryNipd5p7s/s1600/vintage-family-photos-13.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAyyvASmvtQ/TXkqfwAxJII/AAAAAAAABDg/pryNipd5p7s/s400/vintage-family-photos-13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582539938054874242" /></a><br />Kith & Kin<br /><br />Due to my love of historical trivia this phrase, for it is not just one word, I find to be a fun and quirky saying I like to use.<br /><br />Kin is an old word for family. Though old (1377) it is still used today.<br />Kith comes from the same period in time but has been lost along the way. It means to know the area or land.<br /><br />This begs a moment of reflection. <br />The phrase “I know his Kith & Kin” really is a strong and personal statement. “I know his family and the area of which he comes from”, shows a personal connection. Not just “I know him”, but people that are connected to him and the area he grew up in or lives in. You understand his way of life and the influences that molded his personality.<br /><br />This simple and old phrase says so much. It is eloquent and powerful.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-13373546783142068512011-03-10T11:41:00.001-08:002011-03-10T11:45:10.773-08:00Juxta MomentThe Letter J<br /><strong>Juxtapose</strong><br /><br />For the longest time I didn’t know what this word meant. I loved the sound of it. But then again I like the sound of Jabberwocky. <br />Once I found out what Juxtapose was and how it fit into my vocabulary I liked it even more.<br /><br />Did you know it is a fairly new word. It was first used in 1855ish. <br /><br />And now to use it in my daily life. . . .<br />Today I received my new work laptop. I had to send in my old Dell and have all the information migrated (transferred) to the new HP laptop.<br />Now I find myself juxtaposing the two and developing some harsh opinions.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZRBGpPPSnU/TXkqF_FMjCI/AAAAAAAABDY/bNP_cmuScRE/s1600/hp-dv3t-black.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZRBGpPPSnU/TXkqF_FMjCI/AAAAAAAABDY/bNP_cmuScRE/s200/hp-dv3t-black.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582539495423380514" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jz0q986hXFQ/TXkp9IXsI3I/AAAAAAAABDQ/fM9lt23NMbc/s1600/Dell_Latitude_Parts.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jz0q986hXFQ/TXkp9IXsI3I/AAAAAAAABDQ/fM9lt23NMbc/s200/Dell_Latitude_Parts.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582539343298044786" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-46461050153643537942011-03-09T09:52:00.001-08:002011-03-09T09:57:21.092-08:00Don't look behind the CurtainThe Letter I<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_h4COmCukk0/TXe-n9RUYhI/AAAAAAAABCg/BuIwSE8jL9Y/s1600/illusionist.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_h4COmCukk0/TXe-n9RUYhI/AAAAAAAABCg/BuIwSE8jL9Y/s400/illusionist.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582139856820396562" /></a><br /><strong>Illusion</strong><br /><br />There are those who feel illusion is a falsehood, deceptive. Perhaps those who have this attitude are actually paranoid that they are somehow missing something or being deceived.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QaUGON79PWc/TXe-ojddYMI/AAAAAAAABCw/14mxUxjsLb4/s1600/peacock.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QaUGON79PWc/TXe-ojddYMI/AAAAAAAABCw/14mxUxjsLb4/s400/peacock.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582139867071865026" /></a><br /><br />Does the Pea hen feel deceived when the Peacock with all his plumage is actually just a little grey bird like her? <br />Or does she laugh at the pretence and work the Peacock must go through to obtain and maintain his illusion.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W5INnMTQkWA/TXe-_fx6YVI/AAAAAAAABC4/nOkzqg3dGOY/s1600/image_sci_animal035.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W5INnMTQkWA/TXe-_fx6YVI/AAAAAAAABC4/nOkzqg3dGOY/s400/image_sci_animal035.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582140261220901202" /></a><br />I applaud illusion. It takes so little to be plain/normal, it takes a lot to create an illusion.<br /><br />It’s the motivation that is the culprit of dissention.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-73349793103854548002011-03-08T19:43:00.000-08:002011-03-08T19:57:26.944-08:00Snarky CashiersNot everyone's husband likes to shop. For that matter, not every guy will shop with Coupons and brag about the DEAL they just landed.<br /><br />Jerry is not like other hubby's when it comes to shopping. With one HUGE exception.<br />He will not go into the Dollar Store or a Goodwill (thrift store). I had to escort him for his first visit to the Dollar store here in town last December. He really feels it is beneath him to purchase anything there. <br /><br />So it is an unspoken agreement that if there is shopping to be done that is over $50 he does it, and under $50 I do it.<br /><br />He visits Costco weekly. Yes Weekly, me? well it is about every 3 months for my visits.<br /><br />Yesterday was one of those weekly trips for him. with a $150 rebate in hand he went the the register with the BIG Kitchen Aid mixer. . . a $70 piece of beef (New York steak loin) and 2 dozen red roses.<br />The cashier said "Wow you must have been really bad. That's some major kissin' up."<br /><br />No, he wasn't in trouble. He just had $ burnin' a whole in his pocket. If he was tryin' to make up for an offense I had better NOT get a kitchen appliance!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-19764248600228130442011-03-08T07:30:00.000-08:002011-03-08T07:42:30.194-08:00"In Hertford, Hereford and Hampshire, hurricanes hardly ever happen”The Letter H<br /><br /><strong>Habit</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oFvL_du1nZ8/TXZM96RR9RI/AAAAAAAABCY/JQ0QeqYWoWM/s1600/sister-act-2-back-in-the-habit-original.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oFvL_du1nZ8/TXZM96RR9RI/AAAAAAAABCY/JQ0QeqYWoWM/s400/sister-act-2-back-in-the-habit-original.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581733414669776146" /></a><br />How long does it take to build a habit? Some Doctors say 3 times. <br />I don’t think so.<br /><br />Tell a 7 year old . . .3 times to Pick Up Your Backpack and put it in your room. <br />It didn’t work with my now grown kids and it isn’t working with the 7 year old grandson. <br /><br /><br />But does it take less effort to stop a habit? <br /><br />Hmmm, Smoking? Yes it takes a lot more. <br /><br />Eating. . .A whole lot more.<br /><br /><br />Doing the exercise that the Doc wants me to do. Sigh yes it takes a lot to start that habit and very little to stop it.<br /><br />So today I will start a habit. (If you announce it will it make it happen any easier?) <br /><br />I will Hug my hubby at some point each day when he least expects it. <br /><br /><br />Start a habit that doesn’t create Fat, Lung disease, or $ problems.<br /><br />Start it today.<br /><br /><br />P.S. the picture is a slight nod to my Catholic upbringing. Now that is a Habit I broke!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-611242004779226778.post-51942626142236095932011-03-07T06:12:00.000-08:002011-03-07T06:12:00.567-08:00The G Spot<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fAbx-BrpBDE/TXQ_Il2s0eI/AAAAAAAABCQ/LXKxJctaB6w/s1600/Albany%2B2007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fAbx-BrpBDE/TXQ_Il2s0eI/AAAAAAAABCQ/LXKxJctaB6w/s400/Albany%2B2007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581155255051932130" /></a><br />Gravity<br />A necessary evil.<br /><br /><br />It holds us here. . . .Good thing. . . So we don’t float out to an atmosphere we can’t breath in.<br />It holds us here. . .Bad thing. . .We can’t fly without apparatus.<br /><br />It brings things down. . .Good Thing. . .the apples drop the snow falls, things come down to our level.<br />It brings things down. . . .Bad thing. . .Saggy boobs, flat feet, double chins. . . .bird poop.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2