I attended a lovely luncheon with members of my father's side of the family today. Why is it question of the day: When we were younger we talked about our kids, now it's about our pets. Why is that? It was a good time. Cousin Becky (and husband Bill who I met for the first time) from California, Cousin Linda (and Terry), cousin Jane (and Dave), Aunt Veedie (and Michael), Aunt Florence, cousin Larry (and Pat), my mom, cousin Ross and myself were there. There is something different about being from such a large family - having not met someone doesn't seem odd. All of them remember having eaten wild mushrooms as a kid and some still hunt them now. I took a small bag of Cauliflower mushrooms to Larry and Pat and they were excited. We talked about the places we used to hunt that no longer exist, those we go to now and where we'd like to go.
I'm sure it seems like a crazy hobby to those who don't like mushrooms, but they make those of us who enjoy them, very happy. Yesterday, Lance and I went on a 3 hour hike and each took home a large bag full. I found 5 different kinds (2 very different kinds of cauliflower, fall oyster, pestle-shaped puffballs, chestnut Boletes) cleaned and ready to cook or freeze. Lance also found cauliflower and buttons which I don't care for. I also picked up a bag of hickory nuts (I like these better than pecans). We laughed about the two deadly varieties we saw and were amazed by some strange-looking types we've never seen before. I will still go hunting this fall but I have enough in the freezer already to feed me for the winter. I will probably share what I get from now on.
It has been several days since I was able to get any sewing done so it's time to get back to work. The week ahead is bound to be very busy with the Arts & Crafts class on Thursday, the local GLBT Pride event on Saturday and the Niles, Michigan Apple Festival on Sunday.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Today's Inspiration
I happened to be in a thrift store near my house yesterday and I found a few pieces that inspired me so much that I had to bring them home to play with. An olive drab wool jacket that someone had wash and run through the dryer (making it wool felt) , a green leopard print silk shirt, a microfiber knit print shirt that was as soft as silk. I already have sketches of bags that, combined with leather, would be perfect for all of them. The prices made me very happy.
In my stash I found some woven leather placemats and two woven leather rugs that sparked my interest but they both need to be cleaned. I've heard vinegar and water will do a reasonable job but I think these need more help than that so they are on hold for now.
Several remnants are speaking to me from my remnant shelves. Three matching purple pieces, a couple of chocolate brown, a Japanese print, a black/red brocade, a very bright tulip print and a skirt made from brightly colored boucle (the stuff those Chanel jackets are made of). And yet, designs to go with them are not coming to me.
I have so many projects already in progress that it's not important right now but it's good to know I won't run out of things to work on.
In my stash I found some woven leather placemats and two woven leather rugs that sparked my interest but they both need to be cleaned. I've heard vinegar and water will do a reasonable job but I think these need more help than that so they are on hold for now.
Several remnants are speaking to me from my remnant shelves. Three matching purple pieces, a couple of chocolate brown, a Japanese print, a black/red brocade, a very bright tulip print and a skirt made from brightly colored boucle (the stuff those Chanel jackets are made of). And yet, designs to go with them are not coming to me.
I have so many projects already in progress that it's not important right now but it's good to know I won't run out of things to work on.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
My inspiration board
I have recently started to take a sketchbook with me wherever I go so I can capture some of the images that are constantly flowing through my mind. Maybe it's my imagination but it seems to me that the more I put on paper, the more I create. Maybe it's just that I am able to move forward to new things and stop drowning in details on the older stuff. Whichever it is, I have more designs than ever and more excitement about them than usual. I have the sketches, fabric swatches, buttons, hooks and other things that I already have on-hand for projects posted on a cork bulletin board next to my computer. It serves as an inspiration board and reminder of what I have collected and what I need to look for. It has made my studio a lot brighter and more cheerful.
On the home front:
Phoenix has been healthy (except for the usual, chronic pain) now for several days. She had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic and broke out in a "chickenpox-like" rash all over. It wasn't a pretty thing. Now her eyes are bright and mischievous again. I even managed to get her to go out two nights in a row to three different events. My 30th high school reunion was this weekend and and a welcome home party for a friend who had had surgery overseas. We had a well-deserved weekend of fun. Life should settle down a bit now that the parties are in the past. The dogs and kitties are glad to spend time with us whenever they can and we are glad to be home.
On the home front:
Phoenix has been healthy (except for the usual, chronic pain) now for several days. She had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic and broke out in a "chickenpox-like" rash all over. It wasn't a pretty thing. Now her eyes are bright and mischievous again. I even managed to get her to go out two nights in a row to three different events. My 30th high school reunion was this weekend and and a welcome home party for a friend who had had surgery overseas. We had a well-deserved weekend of fun. Life should settle down a bit now that the parties are in the past. The dogs and kitties are glad to spend time with us whenever they can and we are glad to be home.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Welcome to My New Blogsite!
I am so happy to introduce my new blog for Blackwidow Stitchworks!
The idea of having a blog seemed so scary (putting my words in writing AND publishing them?!) that I was afraid to get started. As it turns out, it isn't any harder than throwing a comment out on Facebook. I laughed to myself - how many people will be reading it anyway? A few friends and some relatives maybe. Just to let you know how my business is going and keep you up on the happenings in my life in general. But that's what a blog is for, isn't it?
My projects list is ever changing. I am working on:
************************* Of a more personal nature...*****************************
A dear friend has been allowing me to tag along on his hikes in the park with his dog to look for summer mushrooms. What a joy!! I'm learning how to identify so many new varieties and taste-testing the isn't bad either. So far we've found (of the edible types):
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Small chanterelles (Cantharellus minor)
Fawn mushrooms (Pluteus cervinus)
Hygrophorus Milky (Lactarius hygrophoroides)
Yellow Cracked Bolete (Boletus subtometosus)
Phoenix is really sick as I write this. She seems to have a serious UTI and a fever. She's been on an antibiotic (Bactrin) since Thursday but it doesn't seem to have made much of a difference yet. Tomorrow may mean another trip to the clinic. Those can be several hours at a time so I'll take a sketchbook and pencils. At least Save-a-Lot is next door so I can get a little shopping done too.
Happy 4th of July everyone. Have a pleasant night.
The idea of having a blog seemed so scary (putting my words in writing AND publishing them?!) that I was afraid to get started. As it turns out, it isn't any harder than throwing a comment out on Facebook. I laughed to myself - how many people will be reading it anyway? A few friends and some relatives maybe. Just to let you know how my business is going and keep you up on the happenings in my life in general. But that's what a blog is for, isn't it?
My projects list is ever changing. I am working on:
- a long peasant style gown called a chemise
- a long robe with a hood
- a child's bookbag heavily embroidered with flowers and lace
- a hand-painted suede bag with hand-dyed microsuede fabric and embroidery
- 2 or 3 pair cotton sleep pants
- a jacket with a phoenix embroidered on it
- Lynn's promise - a gift to the first 5 people who posted a reply on my Facebook page
- a repair to a cotton jacket where the pocket tore stright up & down
- 2 viking style tunics for Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA)
- adult booster chair to restrain an individual with DD in the car safely
************************* Of a more personal nature...*****************************
A dear friend has been allowing me to tag along on his hikes in the park with his dog to look for summer mushrooms. What a joy!! I'm learning how to identify so many new varieties and taste-testing the isn't bad either. So far we've found (of the edible types):
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Small chanterelles (Cantharellus minor)
Fawn mushrooms (Pluteus cervinus)
Hygrophorus Milky (Lactarius hygrophoroides)
Yellow Cracked Bolete (Boletus subtometosus)
Phoenix is really sick as I write this. She seems to have a serious UTI and a fever. She's been on an antibiotic (Bactrin) since Thursday but it doesn't seem to have made much of a difference yet. Tomorrow may mean another trip to the clinic. Those can be several hours at a time so I'll take a sketchbook and pencils. At least Save-a-Lot is next door so I can get a little shopping done too.
Happy 4th of July everyone. Have a pleasant night.
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