practice makes progress...

in which our plucky heroine is still obsessed...

with continuing to learn how to use TinkerCAD. Before the laser cutting session at the library, I put together a file for a collection of tiny plain modern picture frames in small, medium, large, extra large, and "Advent-sized" squares. Creating even the simplest of digital designs is still very challenging while continuing to learn (and trying to remember) how to do even very basic tasks in the program. I managed to cut out several copies of the file in both basswood and walnut veneered plywood today at the library, and now have LOTS of frames available for adding a finishing touch to tinyworld art.

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~ small but worthwhile ~

Am all kinds of happy with how the tiny spider plant turned out. It was an absorbing singular make, and has charmed everyone who sees it. (I brought it to the library makerspace to show to folks what I have been doing with the objects I've been creating)

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Today was a long long bike ride day, all the way to the other end of Alberta, since I wanted to see if the Glerups with the rubber sole were available at Pie Footwear. Sadly only in the "boot" style (which wouldn't work with the dang ankle brace), but at least I now know what size I wear (38) and can track down the style I want online.

Since Bolt Fabric Boutique is on the same block, seemed like a good chance to see if there was any fabric that would work well for mini upholstery. Yes indeed, since I couldn't choose, a wee bit of Essex yarn-dyed and also of Kokka dobby both came home, . Both ⅛ yd pieces are in shades of a nice olive-y green that seems MCM adjacent and reminds me of furniture from my younger days.

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Saw a house while out riding through Alberta Arts district that made me laugh. The residents had turned the entire front of a two story house into a spooky season face using simple white paper cutouts:  the two upper story windows were each made into googly eyes, and the small roof above the front door had a "bunting" attached of pointy teeth, turning the door into a mouth. Clever, and simple! 

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October SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny Wishbone chair	wheels for 2nd RÅSKOG	greenwaste bin
2	laser cut trinket shelves	tidy living room	recycle bin
3	vortex bottles	files for tiny plant pot	recycle bin
4	2 wee Dala horses	-	-
5	miniature spider plant	-	-
6	62 tiny picture frames	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- many many laser cut miniature picture frames
- mini Monstera leaves cut using the PCC Cricut machine
- Bolt Fabrics will cut and sell ⅛ yd pieces of fabric
- Vesta's box of Advent goodies arrived today

Time of Isolation - Day 2286

Monday miscellany

in which our plucky heroine may be improving...

Headache does seem to be fading, and while not as much is getting done as desired, there is some slow progress. Today I had the idea to set myself an ongoing challenge "three bags full": to go through the house finding things to declutter, recycle, and rehome. But instead of taking that to heart, I ran away in the middle of the sunshiny day to the post office and the makerspace. Tomorrow will be soon enough for more house tasks, like picking the rest of the quinces, sorting through detritus, and catching up on Mt Washmore. 

Today there were two more additions to this years Advent Swap participants: Donna package of treats arrived in my mailbox, and Helga dropped off her contribution this afternoon while I was out gallivanting running errands and cutting out leaves at PCC.

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~ a small selection ~

Origami paper makes good tiny gift wrappings. These are not for the Advent Swap, but are now on their way to my pal Cricket. I've been gathering an assortment of found and/or made tinyworld treats to send to her for months now, and finally managed to get them all wrapped and posted...

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In natural world news: TIL that fuschia berries are edible. After some online research, I tried eating one. It had a mild slightly sweet flavor. Apparently all parts of the plant are edible! Since this year there are many many berries on my hardy fuschia I am going to pick them for future experiments... (scones? preserves? garnish for museli?)

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This triskele ball is an intriguingly shaped object cleverly made, and could be decorated in various ways. I imagine block printing...

 
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Today I once again went out in the middle of the day to the PCC Makerspace, this time to use their Cricut machine to cut out monstera leaves (for a second plant for Kenya's future room) Cansons colored paper worked really well for that, and the instructional video shows using watercolor paint to add more depth and variation to the leaves.

The tiny spider plant is coming along well. I've been combining advice from assorted video tutorials to find something that works, using what materials are on hand here: paper colored with markers, colored pencils, and white gelli pen. Tape along the bottom edge, then rolled and glued. Unplied a bit of linen? twine then used white glue to smooth and strengthen the single ply to use for stems, and some of the left over snippets of paper and twine will turn into spider plant babies. Wonder if it may need a macrame hanger...

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October SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny Wishbone chair	wheels for 2nd RÅSKOG	greenwaste bin
2	laser cut trinket shelves	tidy living room	recycle bin
3	vortex bottles	-	recycle bin
4	2 wee Dala horses	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- My ballot wasn't lost, just a day late... Informed delivery showed it arriving on Saturday, but nope. Thankfully it was in the mailbox today, though I had already tagged it as missing.
- A tiny spider plant made from paper and thread is adorable
- My aching head is gradually becoming less obtrusive (though I still feel less than 100%.) Don't feel poorly enough to need any medical attention, but don't feel quite right. Took a nap for several hours this afternoon, and am glad I have a life where I can rest when needed
- was able to find a sheet of inexpensive block printing paper at the art store to use with the fern cutter, and that will also be useful for the new tiny eraser stamp book I want to make.
- the front porch wind chime never fails to brighten my spirit when at random times a breeze calls up some notes

Time of Isolation - Day 2284

Friday fragments

in which our plucky heroine is delighted!...

Exciting news! The first package of this years advent swap goodies has arrived here at Acorn Cottage today ~ Huzzah for Courtney Jensen !! I was surprised and pleased to find a package waiting in the new "delivery Box Of Holding" on the front porch here

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~ autumnal ~

Sometimes I cannot resist getting myself a treat, rather like the lolly pop after doctor visits as a child. Since there were 2 difficult tasks in the last week, I now have two different botanical punches, a small one that makes a sort of fern, and an even smaller one that makes oak leaves. I've not yet found the right sort of paper for them, but the oak leaf punch works wonderfully on actual autumn leaves...

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I woke up with a headache. I hope I am not sick with the dreaded virus; took my temperature since usually headache means I have a fever, but nope. Just an all day headache. I don't feel sick, but I don't feel my usual self either. Early bedtime tonight and fingers crossed that helps. Several folks I know (though not local to me) got COVID in the last week or so.  

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Yesterday I rode my bike over to PCC and used the laser cutter on some 3mm birch plywood for the miniature MCM rocking chair sides and arm pieces. I've since been smoothing the perpendicular cut edges into a more rounded sculptural shape similar to the original. Really pleased at how much of a difference that makes. Next step will be to rummage in my fabric scraps for some suitable fabric to upholster the seat and back. Since BaharMiniature mentions in their comments that the rocker was based on the (vintage John Lewis) "Hendricks" chair, I was able to locate an image of the original for additional inspiration: 

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October SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	tiny Wishbone chair	wheels for 2nd RÅSKOG	greenwaste bin
2	laser cut trinket shelves	tidy living room	recycle bin
3	vortex bottles	-	recycle bin
4	2 wee Dala horses	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- rounding the edges of the 3mm laser cut plywood definitely makes it look more like furniture...
- made good use of the unseasonably hot weather today by washing and line-drying all the pillowcases and the Moody Blues coverlet
- my friend Cricket has completed her cancer treatments

Time of Isolation - Day 2281