Ruched

arty

We had a pretty arty day today.  Merrick and I went to a ceramics painting place, and he painted a coffee mug for his Amma's birthday.

I moved the camera too fast so this is just a lucky shot.  Isn't it pretty?

We also went to Michael's for a package of pony beads.  I tried to figure out how to do horizontal or vertical stripes while looking at the stuff I've already made, but it wasn't working.  My idea is to number around thirty beads and work them up into a sample.  Then it will be much clearer how different patterns would be threaded.

fixed

All of my crochet-appropriate beads, waiting for C-Lon cord.  I tried stringing those rose quartz pebbles on pale pink but it was visible through the beads, maybe white or off-white would work better.

The third of the sherbet trio bracelets.  Did I say that I was having trouble sewing them together?  I'm taking another class with Stephanie this Sunday, and I plan to take my camera.  It has a movie setting, I think that will be much better than still photos.

I have so many ideas bouncing around in my head, this is what sketchbooks are for.  Merrick and I both have sketchbooks to draw in but lately he's been using crayons on everything but paper, so I'm out of the habit of having art time.  Must remember tomorrow, I need to organize these ideas and questions.

old slides

hi., originally uploaded by superbomba.

I love the old photos in this set.  They're all of the "weird/random but fab" shots that everyone has a few of, but there are hundreds here.  I suppose it's just as well that there are no explanations or stories included, whatever I dream up is probably more exotic than the reality, but it's still makes me sad that these photos are separated from their history.

Lots of people collect photos from flea markets, eek, not me.  I'd want to cry every time I looked at them, though it's good that someone can love and appreciate those images.  Sometimes I'm just way too sensitive.

technical difficulties

iPhoto isn't finding my camera so no photos today.  I finished the third sherbet bracelet and sorted through my beads to find everything 6/0 or 8/0 so I can start another project, maybe a necklace this time.  Before I can start I need to buy more C-Lon cord because I only have pink, or maybe I'll figure out another pink project.  If you're looking too, C-Lon seems to be cheapest on eBay.

a sense of accomplishment

I crocheted a second bracelet with Merrick underfoot!  I'm thrilled, it's the first crafty thing I've managed to do with him in the room.  He wanted to see and touch everything, so once I had an inch finished I let him.  These bracelets are nice and sturdy.  This is such a huge deal, when he's doing his own thing I need something to do too.

The new bracelet is the one on the top, and I took unstitched the first one to take off a few rows.  There's a third strung and ready to go tomorrow, I'd like a stack of three to wear together.

bead crochet

I love this bracelet.  Love it, love it, love it.  I love the candy colors, the crochet technique, the hidden end/beginning, and Merrick can inspect it without destroying it.  He oooh-ed and aahhh-ed, and it's so sweet.

The instructor was awesome, and it turns out she's been a bunch of bead and jewelry magazines.  She had a binder full of articles she had written, and I'd saved at least four of hers from various magazines.  I had no idea who she was when I signed up for the class.

I've already strung another bracelet.  The traffic cone orange is a little iffy, but I thought I'd try it out.  I bought eight colors and only needed five, so this one has the three unused colors.  I tried to start it tonight but it's just too late for tiny hooks and beads.

homework

Homework for a class tomorrow.

Homework for today, we were down to tortillas and crackers.  A big slice of fresh bread to share with my little guy.

(blitzkiss/Tokyomade via SushiZume)

Did you know scrunchies are back in fashion?  They're so crafty this time around, I love the trims.

two small fixes

Two small things fixed.  The bottom bracelet was tourniquet-tight so I've started to restring it.  It's still a bit too small, so I'll start over tomorrow.

my dishwasher story

Yep, that's my new dishwasher.  I ordered it yesterday over the phone from a local appliance place, for $100 dollars less than Lowe's was asking, and they delivered it this morning.   The salesman was smart, nice, and professional, and the next time we need appliances I'm going there first.

So you know I had a mountain of unwashed dishes, right?  I did some hand washing, plates and flatware, glasses, that sort of thing, but it made my back hurt and gave me dishpan hands.  Heh.  This morning Byrd agreed to try to make it home early so he could install the dishwasher tonight, and he did both, and it was no small accomplishment, what with me helping by dancing from foot to foot and asking if it was done yet, Merrick handing him tools constantly, and Anna licking the top of his head while he was laying on the floor.

When the dishwasher was finally in and running a test cycle, I said "CanIloaditCanIloaditCanIloadit?", and he said "I guess I can attach it to the cabinets at a later date.....", but I didn't really hear him because I was too busy shoving him out of the way. 

So I got it loaded, after he shoved a dog biscuit box under the door so the whole thing didn't end up tipping over on my toes, and threw a sample detergent pellet in.  When I tried to put in the rinse aid, I couldn't get the crapping safety seal off with my wet hands so I used my teeth, thus ending up with a mouth full of Jet Dry. 

I love our new washer.  The controls are hidden on the top of the door so Merrick can't mess with them, it's super quiet, very energy efficient, and there are lots of adjustable tines inside so it will accommodate almost anything in the kitchen.  Did I mention that it's quiet?  I was waiting for it to bust into the wash cycle for almost an hour before I realized that it was already washing. 

Best of all, those gross stacks of dishes I've been avoiding will be gone by tomorrow.

Thanks Byrd! 

back to jewelry

I thought I was ready to go back to quilting for a while but there are just too many jewelry projects buzzing around in my head.

Ideas for a multi-strand bracelet.

I finally found some bead ends for the wire braid bracelet.

I love this but I've never worn it.  I hate clasp and the crimps are visible.  Eeeeyyyuuu. (Bought it on Etsy)

A new clasp needed here too.

Last but not least, these are for a faux-Sundance-knotted-silk necklace.