We made it!

     After three days of driving, my dad and I made it to Bainbridge island. We don't have Wi-Fi at the house I'm staying yet, but hopefully in the next week or so we'll get it or I'll have time to go to the library and make some proper posts. :-)

The Adventure Bag

     Full of pockets for everything I need. Due to sewing machine troubles, this took three weeks to make, but probably only four-ish hours of actual work. The design was inspired by several different bags I've come across.

     It is fully lined with my favorite batik fabric, has two inner pockets and a larger pocket that goes across the back. With my crystal linoleum block finished (more on that later!) I am considering adding a little something to the front to spruce it up a bit.

     A learning project, I think if I ever make another I'm going to add some interfacing to the long handle to make it a bit sturdier. And also not screw up the order of sewing the layers together- I know how to have concealed seams now.

     I am also considering adding a zipper to the big opening at some point. Just a bit of extra security for travel. But that isn't necessary right now.

Things finished & beginning

It is done.

Erelas

     After several months- honestly much longer than it should have taken- the Beacons of Gondor have all been painted. (You can see the first three here)

Very likely my favorite- Min-Rimmon

     This series was a great exercise in watercolor techniques & landscapes. Especially the whole "the scenery gets lighter the further away it is" part. I was terrible at that in school.

Calenhad

      Trying to achieve different skies was a lot of fun. Though there was quite a bit of aggravated wiping away of paint and starting over.

Finally, Halifirien

      I still have another five of these small watercolor pieces left, so I may have to do another series..... But that will have to wait a few weeks. In the meantime I have a few drawing to finish up and possibly an attempt to carve the Tiger Monk before I leave (one week tomorrow!!).
     During the trip I decided to dye smallish rectangles of cotton with gathered bit and pieces of vegetation as my dad and I drive across the country. I have eight rectangles cut out- the first is dyed from materials gathered at home (see below), and the last will feature vegetation from the farm on Bainbridge Island. In between will be collections from wherever we stop. Each will be decorated and ultimately sewn together to make a cover for the back seat of my faithful Green Bean.

        Here's to the weather improving, I for one am ready for a warm-weather adventure.

Water falls & patches

     Went to the neatest little local park today, one I haven't visited since high school. I've never been here in the winter, and this may be my last chance to visit (again, moving across the country is beginning to feel a little unreal!).


One of our towns half-dozen churches

     The waterfall comes from a pond created to run a mill, under a road then through a gorge to Port Bay and then Lake Ontario. If all of the surrounding land were publically owned that would be one heck of an adventure.



Originally called Ganadsgo

In the summer, this is a 50 foot drop. It has never (to my knowledge) frozen completely. At the base the ice opens up in an icy slurry caldron.

     Now this is where it gets interesting. See that bright blue? No one knows what it is, although it looks like the dye used to color herbicides to me. Heard rumors the DEC is looking into it, it'll be good to figure out what it is before everything melts next week. It's supposed to get above freezing again!

     I would have loved to get closer but one of my legs went through a snow bank and I got stuck & didn't trust the ground any further. Had to dig my foot out and now have some really great little cuts on my hands. Definitely wish I had remembered my gloves...

     Lastly, I'm going to be putting up some more things in the shop early next week. Mostly patches, but probably a few sets of cards & possibly some bracelets from tooth patches (see above) that didn't turn out right; would hate to waste that nice fabric. So stay tuned. I'm also going to foray into doll making/ paper mache later next week, hoping to make a little bear puppet inspired by one of my favorite poems that makes my bones burn.

January Adventure

**Oh frabjous day! Got this all figured out. This should have been published last week**     

Went to the zoo in January to take photos for a contest they were hosting. Didn't win any thing, but I enjoyed these anyways.

Calypso

     I know this is old but I needed a reason to see if some updates have fixed my problems publishing on my laptop.
     How's it going?

Through

      "Through;" linoleum print & acrylic on hand dyed fabric. All hand sewn. (And I have the nasty mark under my nail to prove it! 0/10 do not recommend stabbing yourself there) This was surprisingly pleasing to sew, I normally don't have the patience for these kinds of things, nor the coordination.
     I have also been inspired by Shelby Burchett of Long Hair Bear (you can find her here), who makes these wonderful crystal-encrusted skulls and other wonderful things. There is a large box of skulls in my bedroom and I've been wondering how to display them, for they are all unique and I have always been particularly attracted to them; they find me where ever I go. Long story short, problem solved! Too bad I am out of driftwood and the shore line is frozen & not the safest place this time of year.

Found muskrat skull on a piece of driftwood from Lake Ontario

Roadkill (?) fox skull in the crystal garden and the drift wood bit it will be mounted on

      I'll admit, I love opossums. They're adorable (when clean) and it breaks my heart to see some many become victims of roadkill. We've had a young one wandering around the house and barn since summer. He/she has been named Daisy. Possible Valentine's card perhaps? Who knows, but be sure to share the opossum love, they deserve to live happily too in all of their fluffyness.

     And lastly, a Scarf for Wandering. Finally used up a scrap of vintage fabric that's been in a box for yearssssssss. Perfect for toting chap stick or a few bills. Couldn't resist adding a little polymer owl on the tassels.
     Heads up: planning on adding new items to my shop later this week! Be sure to keep an eye out.