If this is what it's like to be retired...

So since I have been off work, I have been working harder than at work--okay maybe not, when I think about the Kinders and the Firsts and their energy. I wanted to work on some projects that would stretch me as an artist, and I have been doing that. Here's a painting I did:
Besides the paintings, I made fabric flowers (pictures to follow tomorrow). And...I cleaned behind the refrigerator and found lots of disposable plastic ware that I had washed anyway and they had fallen behind when they were drying. And I washed the curtains in the kitchen and in the laundry room. On the swear-o-meter, I was at a full 10 because the bracket was loose. I found another bracket, put it in, but did you know that curtain rods (those metal kind) don't fit the the brackets sometimes??? So now I need a new curtain rod.
But, on the Handyman meter, where I am usually a minus 7, I am at least a 5 because i put in a door knob! The door knob on the laundry room door has been off forever and I found one at the thrift store for $1.99. So I finally put that on. I am such a Handywoman Goddess!
So although I was going to wash all the curtains, I am exhausted and I need to clean up from the fabric flowers. So I am going to quit handywomaning for today and wash curtains on Saturday.
Obviously the only reason to work is to afford a housecleaning service, so that when you ARE home, you have this nice clean place to be. So I am not going to retire any time soon.

Soul Journal

This summer I wanted to start Sarah Whitmire's Soul Journal prompts. (You can find her prompts here: http://www.souljournaling.com/prompts.php). I thought it would help jump start my creativity after a long dry spell. what I found was that the prompts set me in a new direction. I did all the prompts and then wanted to start again. She has an advanced workshop, but I didn't think I was ready for that. I wanted to explore the first set of prompts again. So I had to alter two books to contain the new Soul Journal. I have always wanted to cover a book in canvas and then paint on it. So I did! I used regular canvas from the fabric store and I didn't wash it (although I am going to do that with the next project). I had some tissue paper with a design i just loved, so I used that for the inspiration.
Then, because I can't seem to do just one thing, I covered another book with a Nick and Nora pajama top that I found at the thrift store. I loved the print and I arranged the top so the buttons are on the front. I tried to duplicate the print on the inside cover and I added a pocket. I had a lot of fun making the books and now I am looking forward to actually working in them!

The Book of the Tabernacles

I just finished and uploaded pictures of an altered notebook that I used for a Lenten Art Journal. I will show it at the St. Martha's Art Show next week. I was inspired by an artist on the altered books yahoo group who made a loose leaf notebook into an art journal. I started these pages in a bound book, but I didn't like the look. I found a hair dressing training notebook at the thrift store (for $1!), and realized I could tear out the pages and insert them in the notebook. The pages are melted crayons with beeswax to seal. The images are from 2 religious supply catalogs. I inserted some text and images on coasters from a restaurant and they hang at the edge of the cover of the book. The book cover is gessoed and painted. I love seeing the potential beauty in things that are ordinary!

The Mojo is back!

Yes, folks the dishcloth mojo is back! I have done two just recently and will upload pics later. I am ready for another one. And Stanley the wonder dog is groomed finally. And Little League will be off for two weeks. And my report cards are finished and turned in. So life is good!
I have been following the thread of a group that is into Zentangles. I have started these little obsessively addicting doodles and am having difficulty stopping! They are so fun to do and meditative. I finished one with watercolors but didn't like it. Then did one in colored pencils--much better!

I succumbed!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2009

I succumbed!
My dishcloth mojo is not working right now! I have started and torn out four dishcloths. I am now starting another one that is so far working! Good Grief! If I don't make dishcloths will the world go on??? And I succumbed to taking the Austen test and found out (big surprise) that I am Emma. Of course, I am the knitting dishcloths Emma, though.
In other news, Stanley, the Wonder Dog, has been with me one year officially. To celebrate I had him re-vaccinated with the three year rabies shot! Yes, I spared no expense! And in case I ever can take him to Doggy Day Care, I got the Bordatella vaccine as well.
What can I say? I am a paragon of virtue and a dishcloth mama!

Pink and white hearts lead to a life lesson

Just in time for Valentines Day...a pink and white heart dishcloth! As I am knitting this one I decided that for me it is an expression of faith. Maybe the only expression of faith I am capable of right now. I start with the cast on and believe and hope and have faith that the directions will lead me to the design in the book. This one is called "Knit and Purl Hearts" and the knits and purls change with every row. So I have to believe that the pattern will emerge and that I am doing it correctly, since until the end, it's not that evident. So in addition to having a perfect (or perfect looking) object, it got there by faith. This is a life lesson I need.

I need faith that what I am doing to help first graders will pay off--if not now--later. But I need to strictly follow directions for the work. Oh yes! 

Saturday is finally here!

I have finished another dishcloth. Pix will be uploaded later. But this one is red, white and blue stripes with a starfish design in it. Patriotic, no?

This week many teachers got a golden handshake letter from Personnel. Unfortunately--or fortunately--I didn't get one. So that means I will be staying in education two more years after this. Wow!

And I went to the doctor to get a mammogram referral and my blood pressure was too high. Big Surprise! This was after rainy day recess and lunch and the principal telling us (in a nice way, really) that we must all do the AR goals and have our kids start taking AR tests. This stressed me out because AR is teacher intensive. So I am going to devote a week to teaching the firsts to do a lot of the prep work and sign in themselves. This will only be possible because of my instructional assistant. I am fortunate to have her. 

I am fortunate anyway. I just get so stressed and defensive! Must stop that! I have a good job. I am good at my job. I like my co-workers. I am able to come home and knit dishcloths! What more could a person want????