Monday miscellany and music

in which our plucky heroine perseveres...

It has been a rough month both personally and in the world at large. We each do what we can to help, despite feeling helpless. I've been constrained by pain to do less of my metalwork and enameling, so have found moments of respite in the world of the very small, and shared what I can of those with the circles around me...

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time in the tinyworld:

Five tiny tulips are the last of my Hearts and Flowers challenge projects... these were inspired by finding some dried seed pods while out on one of my sanity strolls, said pods looking much like tulips in my imagination. I first painted their outsides with white gesso, then added a bit of dry-brushed dark magenta/purple over that to give a "broken-colored petals" effect. Then I thought about how to add stems and leaves to these still pretty fragile pods.

I cut some paper covered wire into about 2" lengths (easy to handle if longer than I eventually wanted), and dipped their ends into tacky glue, forming a sort of bead on the end. Once that dried, I did it again. That formed a sort of small platform I could then use to glue to the bottoms of the seed pods. I left those to dry overnight.

Yesterday I mixed up some greyish-green paint and carefully painted over the stems, being sure to avoid the tulip flowers. I also painted both sides of some thin paper with brushy strokes in several dark/light/greyish green colors and left that to dry. Acrylic dries fast, and I was soon able to cut some tiny leaf shapes and glue them to the stems. I looked at some photos of what tulips look so that my leaf shapes and placement were appropriate. Now I only need to decide if they will be used for a bouquet in a vase, or growing as a pot of spring bulbs...

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I am thinking that as far as my sewing life goes, 2022 may become "the year of the lining"... The soon-to-be-in-process chore jacket will be getting a button-in lining, and of course the next-on-the-list raincoat will need both silky-lined sleeves for ease of wearing, and some kind of button-in lining for warmth. If I also add a smooth lining to my wool SCA coat, again for ease in wearing, then I am starting to feel like there is a theme in the works.

Another thought I had was that my very venerable two layer underslip, for wearing in the deepest cold days, has proved to be in need of refurbishment/repair, and possibly replacement. It has a regular sleeveless upper half, and a double layer gored skirt bottom half, the inner "lining" layer being some very soft china silk which nicely does not stick to leggings or tights; said silk (originally a gored skirt back in the '80's) is now starting to disintegrate and tear apart in places...

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February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny bedroom stove	vego bed assembled	recycle bin
2	tiny book and bookcase	toile #4	recycle bin
3	moar tiny books	some backyard pruning	recycle bin
4	mini apron with pockets	moar pruning	yard waste bin
5	pink dress for Almandine	-	-
6	more tiny books	x	-
7	egg carton flowerpots	x	-
8	tiny potted lavender	x	x
9	x	x	x
10	x	x	x
11	x	x	x
12	x	x	x
13	x	x	x
14	x	x	x
15	x	x	x

today's gratitude - woke up alive and basically well, despite nightmares and the current state of the world...

Time of Isolation - Day 718

Sunday snippets

in which our plucky heroine appreciates gradual improvement...

At least in the micro level, whether my own personal health which is slightly improved since last week (back doing better, tooth situation on hold temporarily) or in the bookcase of my tiny friends, which is now a bit more than ⅓ full. The macro level issues are beyond my ability to have much influence, so I alternate between glances at the news (horror and despair), and diving back into the world of handcraft, where as Salley Mavor wrote today "When there's chaos all around, doesn't it feel good to create a world just the way you want it to be?"

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time in the tinyworld:

the smallest book yet... several vintage dictionary diagram images turned into a heraldic reference book. 3/4" x 9/16"  (19mm x 14mm).

The Miniature Library kit (that was my Valentine gift) has 20 lovely preprinted books to assemble, and another 10 that are prompts or blanks, intended to be filled in by the ostensible child recipient. I've chosen to adapt or redo those 10 with topics I prefer, that either amuse me or that I can find suitable content for. In addition taking the opportunity to make those books smaller and not identical in size, for a more varied effect on the bookshelves...

The only times I cut pieces from books or magazines are ones already damaged or discarded. "Microgreens" was images from a seed catalog, "Indian Arts" from a badly damaged children's book, and now "Heraldry" from an old dictionary already much used for collage... (someday I will get a computer printer, which will greatly increase my miniature making options)

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So, the good news is that I now have a total of three new enamel Laurel peerage medallion orders to fill, more work than I had in the entire previous year. Now that I am less wobbly, I can get back to my studio work again...

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I've been creating some additional more complicated and experimental miniatures than the book kit books. A Viking Age style bucket is in the works, from egg carton cardboard, wooden stir sticks, and probably some thin basketry reed. Also some tulips, from random seed pods found on a walk that have a tulip-esque shape, and some wire and paper and paint... fingers crossed that these are a success...

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February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny bedroom stove	vego bed assembled	recycle bin
2	tiny book and bookcase	toile #4	recycle bin
3	moar tiny books	some backyard pruning	recycle bin
4	mini apron with pockets	moar pruning	yard waste bin
5	pink dress for Almandine	-	-
6	more tiny books	x	-
7	egg carton flowerpots	x	-
8	tiny potted lavender	x	x
9	x	x	x
10	x	x	x
11	x	x	x
12	x	x	x
13	x	x	x
14	x	x	x
15	x	x	x

today's gratitude - I have an art store in my neighborhood...

Time of Isolation - Day 717

marginally improved

in which our plucky heroine is still in the midst of a dental dilemma ...

well, I might not end up needing to have my tooth pulled (or I might) for it is not clear yet what the appropriate treatment is. This morning I trekked way out to Gresham to a new dental office, wherein my favorite student Dr Moon, is now in practice. It felt really good to have a dentist that listened to my concerns. They took masses of xrays of the inside of my mouth, and her opinion is that the problem is likely a periodontal issue, so the next step is a consultation with their periodontal specialist, rather than an immediate extraction. Said appointment in two weeks. Tooth is still wobbly and painful, still cannot eat on that side.

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Woke up this morning and there was a dusting of snow everywhere! So much for our false spring... it was really cold as well, so multiple layers of wool were needed to keep myself warm. I'm tempted to add a lining to my woolen SCA coat, the one I only wear when it is really cold out; some silky sleeve lining, and some smooth inner body lining, would make it easier to wear. Ditto some frog or toggle style fasteners for the center front, instead of a separate tie belt. After all, the number of events it gets worn to is miniscule, and those alterations would be fairly simple.

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~ creativity challenge: time in the tinyworld ~

Tiny Nandina and Almandine showing off their Viking Age clothing to go along with the lovely hand-carved soapstone cooking pot that was a gift from faraway Kareina... It may have snowed this morning, but the parsley is still growing and green!

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~ beauty in a time of isolation ~

a promise of spring to come...

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February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny bedroom stove	vego bed assembled	recycle bin
2	tiny book and bookcase	toile #4	recycle bin
3	moar tiny books	some backyard pruning	recycle bin
4	mini apron with pockets	moar pruning	yard waste bin
5	pink dress for Almandine	-	-
6	more tiny books	x	-
7	egg carton flowerpots	x	-
8	tiny potted lavender	x	x
9	x	x	x
10	x	x	x
11	x	x	x
12	x	x	x
13	x	x	x
14	x	x	x
15	x	x	x

today's gratitude - Despite random malfunctions, my legs basically work, and despite random malfunctions, our local transit system basically works... hence I was able to spend the last 7+ hours either travelling to Gresham, at the dentist, or traveling back home again from Gresham. (Gresham is the next city east of Portland)

Time of Isolation - Day 714

Monday musings

in which our plucky heroine survives a rough night...

The toothache is a lot worse, and it was very difficult to find a position to be able to sleep last night. I spent yesterday trying to distract myself, and there are new tinyworld treats to share...

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time in the tinyworld:

So, here are the pieces so far of my February Hearts and Flowers efforts: two new aprons (both with useable pockets) with embroidered embellishment, and a potted lavender plant in one of the new egg carton cardboard flowerpots...

a new apron for Nandina, for the "hearts and flowers" challenge (and since Almandine has commandeered the blue floral apron)  I used Sharpie pen to color in the white lines in the plaid to deep pink to reduce the contrast in the printed fabric. which is a useful trick when something is almost-but-not-quite right...

Friday night I made a pot of lavender from wire, glue, sand, paint, and some dried tips from the huge juniper bush next to the driveway. I basically followed this tutorial here, but substituted dried bits of juniper for the preserved lycopodium suggested... Actual size is 1½" tall from top of flowers to base of flowerpot.

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I am worried that I may be am very definitely developing a toothache in my poor sad molar that had surgery last year. I realised that I have been avoiding chewing on that side because it is has been becoming painful to do so, the alignment has been off ever since the surgery, and Monday morning first thing I called OHSU with no good effect. Instead, I looked up several local dental offices, and picked out two that mentioned both emergency care, and also that they had multiple air filtration systems in their facility. The first office I called offered me an appointment this afternoon, for intake, xrays, and consultation on a treatment plan. I am wondering if the tooth has cracked further (it cracked in 2012), but given the other symptoms, I fear it may be a deep abscess... whatever it is, it won't get better without help from the experts.

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~ February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny bedroom stove	vego bed assembled	recycle bin
2	tiny book and bookcase	toile #4	recycle bin
3	moar tiny books	some backyard pruning	-
4	mini apron with pockets	-	-
5	pink dress for Almandine	-	-
6	more tiny books	x	-
7	egg carton flowerpots	x	-
8	tiny potted lavender	x	x
9	x	x	x
10	x	x	x
11	x	x	x
12	x	x	x
13	x	x	x
14	x	x	x
15	x	x	x

today's gratitude - I really love that people have made so many online tutorials, which lets me find ways to have fun with making more tiny things...

Time of Isolation - Day 711

Friday fragments

in which our plucky heroine attempts to get a grip...

The last week has been a challenge, with my Cranky Knee ™ has been behaving very badly indeed. That said, there have been a few signs of forward momentum, as well as a few days where the weather was practically balmy, which meant riding my bike was a pleasure!

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time in the tinyworld:

little flowerpots made from egg cartons - I am pretty pleased with the results. As is obvious, they do look a bit different than the actual tiny terracotta pots, but are well within the realm of acceptable. I plan on making a few more, changing variables, such as using the smooth side out vs the rough side, and different widths of borders, more layers of gesso prior to painting, etc. I also realised that the very top of the pointy inner egg carton dividers, if cut off, makes a nice little square "peat pot". Now to figure out how to make some tiny plants from colored paper. I think my tiny friends need some tiny springtime flowering bulbs... Also, Almandine has a new handknit dress. She told me that the rule "redheads shouldn't wear pink" doesn't apply to fox-girls.

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the saga of the mattress(es), current version: So, there are several places to sleep here at Acorn Cottage. The big bed, which is a Viking Age rope bed, with a now rather worn out Ikea mattress and a memory foam topper, the futon couch/bed, and of course my little camping cot which normally lives in the SCA closet. Right before the pandemic, a Good New Mattress was acquired, and has been sitting in its box ever since. In order to put it on the big bed, I need to cut many wooden slats to length, so the frame can be transmogrified into a slat bed (which is happening, but slowly, with a handsaw, since I am not a carpenter, and I also need to attach the steel slat supports to the inside of the wooden framework)

Talking to M on Sunday, the suggestion was raised that rather than wait, that the good new mattress be removed from the box it has been in for the last two years and instead temporarily be put atop the nice flat futon. It turns out that there are issues, not the least of which is that I cannot lift the mattress bundle. Period. Too heavy. Need new plan. The box the mattress was shipped in has a warning label: have two people lift it! (but the instruction pamphlet in the box shows one little lady unrolling it?) So much of this would be easier so much easier if I had a robust assistant.  In the olden days, mattresses and presumably futons, had built in handles on the sides so you could at least get a grip on them!

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~ creativity challenge: tiny book fun ~

The other thing I've been using to distract from my medical foo is making more tiny books from the "My Miniature Library" kit I got for Valentine's day. While the kit has the printed inner pages, and nice cardstock covers, I cannot resist adding some extra details. Little Red Riding Hood now has some special hand marbled end papers.

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Gosh the muscle relaxant medication my PCP prescribed to try and help my knee pain knocks me for a loop! Glad I chose to start by trying the half-tablet dose, since that causes/lets me sleep for twelve hours at a stretch. Glad that this is an "only for a few weeks" medication, 'cos I loathe being so loopy and dysfunctional, but OTOH, the pain was preventing me from sleeping for more than an hour at a time. The pain does seem to be abating somewhat, and I've an acupuncture appointment scheduled as well, which should make a big difference. Meanwhile the past week has been mostly a loss, as metalwork requires full awareness and physical coordination. I've only been riding my bike in the late afternoon, as far from the medication drop as possible, since even when I wake up I can still feel the effects.

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February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny bedroom stove	vego bed assembled	recycle bin
2	tiny book and bookcase	toile #4	recycle bin
3	moar tiny books	some backyard pruning	-
4	mini apron with pockets	-	-
5	pink dress for Almandine	-	-
6	more tiny books	x	-
7	x	x	-
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x
10	x	x	x
11	x	x	x
12	x	x	x
13	x	x	x
14	x	x	x
15	x	x	x

today's gratitude - medication, it is a double edged sword, but useful...

not just hearts and flowers

in which our plucky heroine scrapes by...

The weekend had its ups and downs. The good parts were I had a number of chances to connect with family and friends online, and on Saturday Baron Michael came by to drop off an envelope of charters to paint, so I had a chance to speak with a human friend outdoors briefly... The weather was crazy warm, well over 60, so there were walkies and bike riding. Riding my bike is the least painful option for my body, though walking is fairly close. Unfortunately, I cannot spend all my time in the saddle! The worst times are when I try and lie down to sleep, for some reason, lying down causes the knee et al to become astoundingly painful, which has been playing hob with my never-very-good sleep schedule.

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time in the tinyworld:

I finished the second of the hearts and flowers aprons, a red embroidered one intended for the prize drawing for those who complete the challenge. It came out so darling that I think I need to make another one, as Nandina and Almandine both like it very much.

I also really wanted to make Almandine a long sleeve knitted dress, like the blue and white stripey one that Nandina has - An unexpected color choice, dusty rose pink turned out to be the best option for a knitted dress. (It turns out that the stripey pattern is much easier to knit with stripes, as they help with counting what row you are on...) I love how springlike the color is, and am considering some flower-gardening accessories: flowerpots from cardstock (or from egg cartons cardboard), plants, watering can, etc?

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slow going all around:
with the sewing... I want to take some time this week to cut out the chore jacket, and maybe also some grey knit leggings as well, since the machines will be threaded with grey.
with the drawings... Four more to go: wolf, serval, reindeer, and otter. Then I can finally more forward. I don't know why I have such a hard time with this project, but I know I will plan on a different type of graphical decoration for 2023, and begin it pretty much as soon as this one is wrapped up and mailed out! The art to start the day is mostly going well, I am not going to fret about the days that get skipped, as the important thing is to congratulate self on the days I do succeed.
with the gardening: I was making good progress on getting the raised bed filled with wood chips (slowly, one or two wheelbarrow loads each day) but then my knee went south. So that will be even slower, but okay... I asked Neighbor Karla if she can help me get a truckload of garden soil mix in a week or two, and she is perfectly willing to help! So yay me for being brave and asking.

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~ creativity challenge ~

Feb 12 - "Diamond Twill Appaloosa": a more detailed sketch of the pincushion(s) I want to make, using the vintage leather buttons for the ponies mane and tail, and various wool twill patterns. Pencil sketch.

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February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny bedroom stove	vego bed assembled	recycle bin
2	tiny book and bookcase	toile #4	-
3	moar tiny books	some backyard pruning	-
4	mini apron with pockets	-	-
5	pink dress for Almandine	-	-
6	x	x	-
7	x	x	-
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x
10	x	x	x
11	x	x	x
12	x	x	x
13	x	x	x
14	x	x	x
15	x	x	x

today's gratitude -The city may be awful, but my neighborhood is a neighborhood

Time of Isolation - Day 704

a few additional Friday fragments

in which our plucky heroine attempts creative focus...

I'll admit that today was pretty rough, and not helped by a need in the middle of the day to respond in person to an unexpected and wrongful letter of cancellation. Since it is impossible to contact the Office of Aging by phone, instead it required a many blocks of walking limping (why has the closest bus stop been removed from service?) and several different transit options in each direction. Hopeful that all is sorted now (and sad that along the way I somehow lost a very favorite pair of earrings). I have been using recommended acupressure spots to try and ease whatever is going on with my left leg/SI joint/foot, with some minimal (perhaps?) effect...

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~ creativity challenge ~

I didn't start the day with art, but by the afternoon as I was inspired by this idea, it seemed good to catch that wave. Another collage, playing with found textures. Not exactly the start of my day, but I remember better times, before times, wandering on the beach and picking up waveworn stones... Security envelopes and catalog remnants.

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life in the tinyworlds:

"Hearts and flowers" is the February challenge I'm sponsoring over at Tiny Rag Doll Nation. My tiny friends can never have too many aprons, so Nandina now has this one, made from reproduction vintage 30's cotton, and embroidered with a little pink rose.

I've taken to using snaps mostly, for ease of fastening, but for this one I was thinking about how overalls have visible fasteners, and decided to try hook and eyes instead. I think it works. I'm going to attempt some potted flowers as well, and try making flowerpots from egg carton cardboard. But next up in the sewing basket is a second apron, for the drawing at the end of the month...

a bit closer view... it has pockets!
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February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny bedroom stove	vego bed assembled	recycle bin
2	tiny book and bookcase	toile #4	-
3	moar tiny books	some backyard pruning	-
4	mini apron with pockets	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	-
7	x	x	-
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x
10	x	x	x
11	x	x	x
12	x	x	x
13	x	x	x
14	x	x	x
15	x	x	x

today's gratitude - Today was amazingly warm. Felt more like April than like mid-February. I had to take my wool cardigan off and tie the sleeves around my waist like a child .While this does not bode well for later this year, it was very pleasant for the nonce

Time of Isolation - Day 701

WTF

in which our plucky heroine is baffled..

Awakened yesterday by an assortment of intense pain for no reason I can sort out. This has not abated in any way. Why does my body hate me? So much pain that any focus is difficult... why when nothing external has changed do I wake up with my knee, sacroiliac, and the old meralgia paresthetica all screaming at me? All I've been doing lately is trying to balance getting by, attempting to bring Acorn Cottage back to a state of harmonious order, and not overdoing things.

I have been very careful not to overdo any one activity, and I have not fallen or otherwise injured myself. Oddly, the pain is worst when I am lying down attempting to sleep. Doesn't seem to matter in what orientation, and it was bad enough that when I moved from the (on my back, legs elevated with pillows) position that I managed to fall asleep in, I woke up in throbbing agony. I have no fever, no visible swelling or apparent warmth. Going to call my doctor today, and my acupuncture practicioner, though my ability to be seen by either of them is quite compromised due to distance and the pandemic.

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~ creativity challenge - start the day with art ~

Not much to say other than this was yesterdays drawing.  For some reason, what is IRL a bright acid green photographs as yellow. Pencil and wax pastel.

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February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny bedroom stove	vego bed assembled	recycle bin
2	tiny book and bookcase	toile #4	-
3	moar tiny books	some backyard pruning	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	-
7	x	x	-
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x
10	x	x	x
11	x	x	x
12	x	x	x
13	x	x	x
14	x	x	x
15	x	x	x

today's gratitude - had another inquiry about potential enameling work.

Time of Isolation - Day 701

there are no roads that do not bend

in which our plucky heroine has several inquiries...

Even though I am no way going to attend indoor events, the SCA here has been starting to offer in person activities (with the usual vaccination proof/negative test protocols). What this does mean is that I may have new commission work, as people once again desire custom regalia. One thing that this brings to mind is that it would be useful for me to gather together images of various kinds of settings, and other custom details for regalia medallions and brooches, in one place rather than simply/frantically gathering them from online albums and pages. Creating a blog page and thinking again about updating my website would be a good idea, eh?

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Moved some more wood chips into the raised bed this afternoon, and also began cutting back/pruning feral grapevine, and a few of the more egregious water sprouts on the apple tree. I need to do a bit of reference reading about how to handle grape pruning, as I have rather let feral grape run wild, and since I have no use for the very seedy grapes, it doesn't need to just become a hornet haven! Live and learn.

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~ creativity challenge: start the day with art ~

woke up with the memory of a song in my mind, and the memory of tears in my eyes... Wax pastels, rubber stamp alphabet letters, pigma brush pen.

I'm so far enjoying that I don't have something planned out ahead for these daily bits. That I just begin somewhere and see what happens. It is rather like the ease of "coloring" where each step taken shapes all the steps afterwards, but because I am not attached to the outcome, it isn't painful at all.

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February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny bedroom stove	vego bed assembled	recycle bin
2	tiny book and bookcase	toile #4	-
3	moar tiny books	some backyard pruning	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	-
7	x	x	-
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x
10	x	x	x
11	x	x	x
12	x	x	x
13	x	x	x
14	x	x	x
15	x	x	x

today's gratitude - I am gone, but I am not forgotten. They are gone, and I have not forgotten them. These are in no way reciprocal, and that is okay.

Time of Isolation - Day 699

The perfect is the enemy of the good

in which our plucky heroine holds to better late than never ...

Finally over the hump of drawing and inking the images for my calendar. Four more left. With luck I'll be able to get the project to the copy store by this weekend. I do look forward to being able to send calendars to all my assorted friends and relations, which will, at this late date, be quite a surprise for them!

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My stress levels have affected my ability to enjoy media, and primarily at this point I am reduced to watching short high-quality cartoons intended for children. Puffin Rock. Bluey. Hilda. City of Ghosts. Molly of Denali.

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Only a bit of garden progress since the weekend... Monday afternoon I took the wheelbarrow down the alleyway to the cross street where I'd seen for the last few weeks a pile of  discarded broken branches. While in the interim someone had already removed the larger cut branches (probably for firewood), there were some smaller ones, and large chunks of bark, enough to make a wheelbarrow-full. Which is now making another layer in the raised bed.  Tomorrow I intend to add another three or four wheelbarrow loads of wood chips. And to call around about garden soil.

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I'm beginning to wonder not only if there will come a time when we are past the danger of the plague to where we can gather and connect freely with other human people, but if by that time (should it ever arrive) just how to relearn being socially interactive in person. I am so uncomfortable now even being near other people on the street. In a way it may be like a sort of overarching reset button, but I just don't know

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~ creativity challenge: start the day with art ~

Feb 7 - wasn't feeling very inspired, so I fell back on my inner schoolchild. Freehand sketch from internet cartoon images of Bluey's parents, colored with Prismacolor pencils. Feb 8 - another catalog collage. Sort of beachy feeling... Since I am now completely out of catalogs for the time being, I suspect that tomorrow morning will be watercolor, or maybe wax pastels...

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Ingathering supplies, I went ahead and ordered what I need for the one wire Laurel medallion project. I included a bit of wire to make myself a few pairs of additional earwires, since my prototypeis such a great improvement (compared to the commercial ones), and a bit more earring variety would be pleasant.

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February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny bedroom stove	vego bed assembled	recycle bin
2	tiny book and bookcase	toile #4	-
3	moar tiny books	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	-
7	x	x	-
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x
10	x	x	x
11	x	x	x
12	x	x	x
13	x	x	x
14	x	x	x
15	x	x	x

today's gratitude - a bag filled with tiny whimsical gifts: origami butterflies and jumping frogs, tiny origami boxes filled with trinkets and a chocolate truffle and googly eyes. Extra origami paper that I intend to use to try my hand at making a "Chinese Thread Book" aka "Zhen Xian Bao". Two sheets of gorgeous decorated paper, one of which will be perfect for wallpaper in the future dollhouse. Another tiny maneki-neko, this one a bell charm, and different as can be from the other bell charm in my collection!

Time of Isolation - Day 698

wistful on the weekend

in which our plucky heroine is tired, and bored of being tired...

so... it helps to keep on writing down what I am managing to do, as a way of helping self to notice that despite feelings, am continuing to make incremental progress. And not giving up despite this horrid and ongoing isolation. In 34 days it will be heading into three years.

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start the day with art:

2-6 is a redraw of an 8x8 block repeat, which I intend to carve lino blocks for printing fabric... I think the design would be great as a "Hawaiian shirt"; the individual motifs are, I believe, various types of decorative concrete block, and as such, remind me of the time I lived in southern California as a child. Pencil drawing, and pigma micron marker.

2-5 is a drawing from memory of a bit of miniature pottery I bought on an elementary school field trip to Olvera Street. The tiny faux piggy bank was about 3/4" tall. Now I wish I knew where it was, probably long lost in one of our many moves... pencil sketch colored with sharpie markers.

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Progress report re sewing garments and accessories - two different colorways that have potential: grey/black, and teal/turquoise. (grey chore jacket, black raincoat, black stripey pinafore) (Teal pinafore, collage jersey knit A/C jacket, rayon blouse, teal/blue print leggings)  Was all chuffed about the teal last year, but am now thinking about focusing first on the grey/black instead. Both are intended for projects that will be good and useful additions to my minimal wardrobe. Possible idea/concept/theme for grey/black: "geological". I was looking at the A/C kerchief I am currently working on as pickup handwork during zoom meetings, and rather than it reminding me of giraffe-skin as one person suggested, it looked more like "puddingstone" conglomerate. This would suggest the stripey fabric (a gift from Luz Clara) as a sort of sedimentary patchwork.

The biggest personal sewing news is that toile #4 seems to be functional! This means I can move forward on the chore jacket then raincoat project. The jacket body is rather loosely fitted (better over a wooly cardigan, which is how it will likely be worn), but I have the sleeve/shoulder/upperchest zone finally where they are fitting well enough.  I even wore the toile while out for a bike ride, and as intended, it is comfortable while in use.

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today in an attempt to lift my mood, I went for another walk in the afternoon, and then spent some time beginning to fill the new raised bed. There is quite a pile of wood chips behind the neighbors garage, and I've permission to use as much as I want. While my first attempt, simply raking a large amount onto the burden cloth was not a success (in that I then couldn't lift them), my second attempt, shoveling some into the burden cloth lined wheelbarrow, worked much better. My plan is to half fill the raised bed with wood chips and then add yard dirt, compost, and top up with good garden bed mixture... Just getting the wood chips in place is going to take a number of days, as I need to take it slowly and not cause my joints and back to become unhappy...

My current thought is to use the new tall raised bed as "the tall tub of greens", with  nasturtiums, pea shoots, green onions, chard, cilantro, purslane... cucumbers and romano beans would have to live in a lower planter that would need trellising.

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This weekend the number on my bathroom scale tipped into a new milestone on my way to improved health. I think I can I think I can. Making efforts to treat my body kindly, and give it good food just not too much. I've decided that I seriously dislike the heads of "leaf lettuce" (which tastes too bitter??) but am trying to eat a salad every day. It might be retro, but I have been instead enjoying iceberg (the salad of my childhood), plus mixed greens, sometimes feta or avocado, sometimes some extra protein, sometimes a bit of pickled beet, or some red bell pepper...

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February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny bedroom stove	vego bed assembled	recycle bin
2	tiny book and bookcase	toile #4	-
3	moar tiny books	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	-
7	x	x	-
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x
10	x	x	x
11	x	x	x
12	x	x	x
13	x	x	x
14	x	x	x
15	x	x	x

today's gratitude - Saturday there was a surprise package on my porch... a present: a vintage miniature furniture kit, which I will likely kitbash into two pieces (server/sideboard + dresser) My friends know me too well...

Time of Isolation - Day 696

Friday fragments

in which our plucky heroine feels a bit like the Red Queen...

Today was another one of those spend hours on hold days. None of the local offices were answering their phones. Finally gave up after losing most of the morning, and masked and bundled up to head out to the closest Office of Aging in person. Three bus transfers later and I was able to drop off the one piece of paper they needed. Sigh. At that point I was exhausted. Still going to try and maybe get a bit of sewing done tonight before Sewing Nomads meets tomorrow morning...

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~ start with art ~

Day 3 - a pencil sketch, inspired by a photo. I was interested in how the stripes were like contour lines, and how to use the pencil to create texture and depth

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in the tinyworld:

Just when I was beginning to give up hope, the treat I ordered for myself last month finally showed up on my doorstep... The kit contains printed pages and covers for thirty miniature books. Since I haven't a digital printer, this seemed a great way to get tiny books, and to provide myself with hours of fun.

I somehow hadn't remembered that the kit is packaged as a giant book, that opens out into a sort of room box/diorama, and also includes a kit for a miniature bookcase (to store all the tiny books) It felt rather like small scale IKEA flatpack, to assemble a sturdy bit of furniture from woodgrain printed cardboard. My maker-child heart is completely delighted; the packaging design is genius!!

Here is an example of one of the tiny books... They are a bit large for 1:12 scale, being almost 1.5" x 1", but have nicely printed internal pages, endpapers, and cardstock covers with front, back and spine artwork

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February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny bedroom stove	vego bed assembled	recycle bin
2	tiny book and bookcase	-	-
3	-	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	-
7	x	x	-
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x
10	x	x	x
11	x	x	x
12	x	x	x
13	x	x	x
14	x	x	x
15	x	x	x

today's gratitude - I seem to be easily amused. A childs toy library will keep me entertained for at least several days. Well actually longer, as I intend to assemble the tiny books one each day, savoring the enjoyment over the course of the month

I think I can...

in which our plucky heroine emulates the little engine that could...

I was given a lovely tall raised garden bed kit as a holiday gift, which is finally assembled in the backyard! (next step is to fill it with organic material suitable for planting in) It took a LOT longer than the chirpy reviews suggested, though to be honest I have rather short lil dinosaur arms.

It came well packaged in a double box, each box well made from double-layer corrugated cardboard. The box was too heavy for me to lift, so I had to walk it corner to corner into the house before unpacking it.

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The first step was to peel off all the protective plastic stuck to both sides of the corrugated pieces. This took me several hours over the course of two evenings. I then started the assembling multiple sections inside the house, blithely disregarding the suggested order of assembly in favor of sections that would be easy for me to carry. Just bolting the pieces together was unexpectedly challenging, but our plucky heroine is nothing if not determined.

As each section was completed, I then carried them outdoors. The double layered cardboard double boxes, each one sliced into two parts the long way, were just right to use as underlayment, which was handy. After another few days I was ready to begin bolting them together. After fastening as far as I could reach from the top down I was chuffed to realise that if I tipped the entire bed onto it's side, that would allow me to reach the lower bolts and finish the assembly.

I'm so excited to start planning what to grow here, and think this will be a great addition to the sustainable yard plan. I'm going to sign up again for ChipDrop, (yay more free wood chippings) and also do some neighborhood reconnaissance to see if I can find unwanted prunings to line the bottom.

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February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny bedroom stove	vego bed assembled	recycle bin
2	-	-	-
3	-	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	-
7	x	x	-
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x
10	x	x	x
11	x	x	x
12	x	x	x
13	x	x	x
14	x	x	x
15	x	x	x

today's gratitude - this generous gift, which will make taking care of garden plants a lot easier on my back... and hopefully keep the plants a little safer from predation.

spring will eventually arrive

in which our plucky heroine is hoping for a dry afternoon...

I need to do some additional pruning in the yard. The feral grape needs cut back, as it has not only extended along the chain link fence, but through it into the neighbors yard. And while I can still see the limb structure of the plum thicket it would be a good time to mark with colored yarn what parts need pruned this summer. The apple and quince need some additional opening up. The apple in particular, since I am adding the large raised bed between it and the other raised planters in the yard.
Seed catalogs have begun arriving in the mailbox and it is time to plan.

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spent some more time last night and today assembling the raised bed pieces... it is getting a bit easier, or perhaps my fingers are accustomed to handling the small hardware bits.

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~ creativity challenge ~

My start-with-art for today is a collage. I realised yesterday that the paper in the blank book I am using for this project is not robust enough for paint on two sides, so I decided to cut scrap paper to apply to the verso side. This will allow me to use whatever media I decide on for either side of the page, without concern.

This morning I noticed the scrap of paper I used yesterday for clearing the excess paint from the waterbrush looked rather like spring flowers, so I cut some simple shapes to play with. The only other "scrap" colored paper handy was the old Vermont Country Store catalog, so I started cutting up some of the pages. (random junkmail catalogs would also work, but those rarely show up in the mailbox)

For some reason I began also cutting out words and phrases from the captions, as a sort of "found poetry" as I went through the pages finding words of a certain size, font, and light background, that somehow connected with the concept and each other. The whole thing was rather playful and random, with my guiding principle being to keep moving and not overthink. I'm calling this one a win!

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I really need to get back on the list for our local Chip Drop... free wood chippings are good mulch, and also good filler for the base of deep raised beds and planters.

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February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny bedroom stove	-	-
2	-	-	-
3	-	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	-
7	x	x	-
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x
10	x	x	x
11	x	x	x
12	x	x	x
13	x	x	x
14	x	x	x
15	x	x	x

today's gratitude - Mossworlds. I never get tired of noticing them, and I am so grateful I live in a place where they exist.

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