Pressing Pansies

ABC Wednesday is "P"
today.

I decided to press some pansies.

I was inspired by this fun meme.

                                              It took awhile for me to find my flower presses.

                                                     They were downstairs in my basement.

                                    It has been a long time since I have pressed any flowers.

                                        

                                                              

                                          There was a note in with the Johnny Jump Ups, 

                                                                     June 25, 2006.

                                                   I am happy being back pressing flowers.

In full color

The daffodils have dried.




I have begun to knit a scarf.
I am teaching myself.

                                                


If I have questions I can always consult my books
and my mentor.

For now I am becoming comfortable.
I love being able to take my knitting when I go visiting.

My water color pencils are nice.
I am learning about color today.

Spirit Drawing

I began today an art class.

I am following the chapters in Jude Siegel's book.

I read this book in February and was impressed.
I had picked it up at the library so I had to return it.
After debating on if I could/should learn to draw and do some watercoloring I decided
to order the book and have a class at the kitchen table and let this book be my teacher.

I went out to the gardens looking for a tulip to draw.
This one spoke to me.

I gathered my things and began my drawing.

I used colored pencils today.

I am going to the art supply store tomorrow for water color pencils.

I also have plans to stop at the yarn shop.

I am hoping to buy some wool yarn for my first knitting project!

Mending

My little red cotton night dress
had a few worn out spots on the elbow.
I had stopped wearing it last year.
It has been in my mending basket ever since.

It is my favorite sleep dress.
My husband gave it to me years ago.
When a little hole developed I placed a heart over it.

Today I emptied the mending basket.
I saw her in the bottom.
I thought of all sorts of patches.
I finally decided to make short sleeves.

I tightened all the buttons.
I laid my night gown on the bed and admired her.
I have a feeling of satisfaction.
I almost threw her in the rag basket last year.
I thought I could just replace her.


I have changed my idea of mending.
No longer is it for making do, it is for restoring.
My spirit feels restored.
Mending can be a creative expression too.
It's all in my attitude!

First Spinnings

I took my first spinnings
and placed them in a bowl.
I treasure them.

I know they are knubby and need to be washed and the twists set.
I know they are not fine yarn.
They are my first spinnings.

I bought my first pair of knitting needles today.
They are made of rose wood and have mother of pearl inlaid tops.
I would love to learn to knit.

I wanted a pair of spinning wheel earings and a necklace.
Something to wear to guild meetings. I bought a few sterling silver charms on e-bay.

I bought jewelery making tools and made my earings.
That was fun.

While I had my tools out I made a couple of silver book marks.

I started on my March box.
It is an old wood box I found in the basement.
I shall decorate it with the motifs of March.

It feels good to be creating again.

Spinning Wheel

I feel as if I have always known my spinning wheel.

We are a perfect fit.

Each part of her is lovely.

Spinning is magical!

Shhh...

Shhh....it's a surprise!

I made a little something for my friend for her birthday.

I hope she likes it!

I have been so involved these last weeks I have not made anything.
This birthday surprise was just what I needed to create again!

I have a few projects started...a box for February is drying and
a little beaded cover for my cream pitcher is on the table almost ready to put over my creamer..
Show and tell when I finish up!

Etsy Pledge

My husband helped me set up a spot
in the basement to work on my
Jack-o-lantern.



I decided since I was all set up
I would also spray finish a few gourds.



I sanded four dried gourds and put one
coat of spray polyurethane on them.


The other gourds I left outside.
They are dry and I could start work on them.
Not sure what I want to do just yet.

Some of my fiber friends have an Etsy shop.

I took the pledge to buy handmade.
I took a pledge to support artists.
Etsy is a fun way to do both.

Do you shop Etsy?

Fiber Friends

I am keeping track of my fiber meetings in my fiber "spirit" journal.
I am writing down the names and telephone numbers of my new fiber friends.
I am recording my purchases.
I am writing down the dates of all the fiber events.
I want to go to them all.


This is a photograph of some llama roving.
My friends say it felts nicely.


Today I met an Alpaca rancher.
She sells alpaca yarn and roving.
I ordered some.
It also felts nicely.


An alpaca show is coming to my city in March.
I am planning on going.



One of the members of the felting group makes wood scarf pins.
I bought this one today.
It is made out of Osage Orange wood.



Bowling balls spring up all over my friend's gardens.
Her husband seems to grow them.

Every where I looked today I saw felt.

I am gathering junk mail to make paper.

I am reading about how to make silk paper.

The forced tulips are in bloom.

I did not do any project today.

I played with fiber friends.

I laughed and had fun.