sooner or later

This blank book is worth a fortune. A gift from a friend because when I saw it and admired it, she could tell from the gleam in my eye that I had already dreamed of what I would do with it. Of course, I had no firm plans, just dreams. She said she'd had the book for years and only used it to press wildflowers. It sat for a few months on my desk, too, waiting for me to begin.

A very thick, large scale book, at first I thought it called out for a big flamboyant gesture. But in reality, I want to use it as a everyday kind of a journal. It sits on the drop spot near the back door and my plan is to put every stray thing that crosses my path into the book. I will encourage my granddaughter to draw and glue into it as well. It will be layered with stuff and will take us a long time to fill.

The name of the book is a history of Potosi, a city in Bolivia. There is a saying in Spanish, valer un potosi which means to be worth a fortune. The highest city in the world, Potosi is located near a mountain of silver.

Perfect time for housecleaning. Swept out the cobwebs, moved it to a new patch of grass and showed it off to the new tenant. The Boogie really liked the playhouse and my granddaughter is too tall for it now although she is loath to completely sign it over entirely. I think it will be an extended lease arrangement.

Yesterday was our weavers study group meeting and I started a felted thingie. No idea what it will be. Just felt the need to punch something. Started off with single needle handfelting and finished up running it around under Nancy's new Janone felting machine. Made fast work of it. Weather was gorgeous and we sat out on Anita's deck and had a great afternoon.

Experimenting this morning with a sun print using a transparency. Also started stitching some fabric ATCs - frogs, of course. Photos later if things look good.

Me and the rabbit are late, we're late for a very important date, no time to wait, we're late, we're late, we're late.

I am dawdling. Doing laundry, thinking about making a list so I can check it twice. No time for that. Mending things, buying locks, almost bought a new suitcase, is that nuts? Yes, it was. I'll just carry three smaller ones. Packed my beading project - seeing stars now. Should I take bottled water? Am I that cheap? Watercolor paper, brushes, crayons, glue. Do I have time to do a journal quilt? Maybe. An extra camera battery and another 2gig of storage? If I spend enough money and carry enough stuff along, will I have a good time?

Can I just buy the postcards and skip the whole thing?

Or is Hotmail down? Changed my email in all my groups to another service. Now I just have to figure out how to configure my Outlook to collect it properly. Why is everything such a production?

I'm having a great weekend - working on the book making project for the weavers' sale at the end of the month. So far, I am feeling good. The details are coming together. The only glitz will be in the measuring....

I really like the irridescent medium I bought. Puts some shine into any paint I mix with it. Gads, me and glitzy? Is this for real?

This tiara was done by a friend of mine for a challenge four years ago - to make a tiara that had personal meaning. Peg's a great dyer and this glove was well used before being pressed into service as her crowning glory.

Every day new opportunities present themselves. New ways to consume nonexistent "spare" time and energy. When do you say NO?
Good friends inviting me to fun events. Time with the grandkids. It's all too good to pass up. I'm going down. Fast.

Using up some of my frog images for cards. These will probably not pass the new USPS muster due to their square shape and will no doubt cost more in postage than I paid for the handmade paper cards. I'm giving it a shot though.

I have a third sample of the gelatin printing done in the seminar last month... but it managed to fall into someone's knitting bag at the meeting so I'll have to wait to post it till she gets back into town. Oh, the perils of passing things around at a guild meeting! But at least I know where it is now. I considered frisking members as they left the meeting....

My favorite sample from this group was on the pleated fabric so that is the technique I used for my scarf. It isn't overdyed yet so that will have to be posted later. Someone at the meeting pointed out that there is a square marked "nothing" - we ran out of time!

This is a really old new project. I have had the fabric for more than three years, I'm sure. Decided this was the time to go ahead as the granddaughter is growing too fast and pretty soon I wouldn't have enough fabric for more than a tank top. I enjoy sewing. I used to make ALL my own clothes. I have a degree in Home Ec for goodness sakes. I'm always inspired by Anita who seems to knock out garments overnight for her granddaughter.

This is coming along nicely. I cut it out using the pattern as a rough guide adjusting it to suit my needs. Not buttons on the shoulder but a zipper down the back. Omit sleeves and line bodice instead of the bias on the neckline. Cut all the small pieces to save fabric to allow for maximum twirl effect in the skirt.

Only ripped out one seam so far. Tomorrow a little fitting session. If the princess doesn't like it, I can ditch it now and I've only wasted three years thinking about it and only about three hours sewing time.

Left work early with ... um ... stomach upset. I don't even like to see commercials for Pepto Bismol anymore - they've gotten too graphic for me. I cut my teeth on the stuff. Was always carsick and we seem to go on trips every weekend when I was a kid. Thank goodness, they sell it as tablets now.
Anyway... I had some broth with rice tonight and I'm better, thank you. Spent some time this afternoon doing some beading. Haven't done that in a long time.

Talked to ML about joining an altered book round robin. She said she'd send me an invite. I must be crazy, right? But I have the perfect book with a great binding just waiting to be ruined. How to Win Friends and Influence People. The cover brags that there are fifteen million in print. So to paint and tear this one would be no great loss. I can't remember buying it! Maybe somebody gave it to me as a broad hint.

I also took a theraputic hour to do a little gardening. Have to get my hands back in the dirt a bit at a time. Planted the pink leaved thingies out in front by the mondo grass. Looks good. And I tossed out some more ferns. The bulbs I was trying to save when I sacrificed the toad were still laying on the grass where I dropped them on Sunday. Planted them today. Now we'll see just how hardy amaryllis really are. Still thinking about the murder of Mr. Toad. She did in the garden with a pitchfork. Move back three spaces and roll the dice again.