Positive Thinking

I could make this a new years post as it is about positive thinking, but I wont. I've been voraciously ill. I'm still not well, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The only thing I've really had the energy for is moaning, watching Netflix, and lace making. I have completed about a dozen centers for the altar cloth I'm working on. I also got quite a bit done on the Milanese moon (bobbin lace). Along with watching all of "Wallander", which if you like crime drama it's quite good. Doesn't hurt that two of my favorite actors are in it. And so, while I was quite thoroughly miserable I was productive. Let's not make this a theme mind you. I do think I'm more productive when well, but it is nice to feel I wasn't completely useless over Christmas.

Two New Stars

Hot off the pillow and shuttles, here are two stars that I finished up today.  The white one is tatting the other is tape lace made with bobbins.  I'd never done the braided fillings before and they turned out fine for a first time.   

I also used spangled midland bobbins on loan to me.  I'm liking how little room they take up on the pillow, but not so sure about the spangles yet.   I've got an intense Milanese moon on my nice pillow right now and am about to start into some sewings. We shall see.

It's the Holiday Season

As Halloween approaches I start my holiday season.  Those that know me know that I would give Thanksgiving a miss and go strait from All Hallows Eve to Christmas Eve.  I've even started listening to Christmas tunes.  In my defense it was more because I was having panic attacks and needed to lower my stress.  Holiday music does this for me like nothing else.  That and England.  One of those is infinitely cheaper.

So here is my start to the holiday craftiness.  A bobbin lace star that I made on my new pillow with bobbin that were loaned to me.  They are very small!  I'm still pondering if I like them enough to get my own.

Next up on the pillow is a Milanese moon.

Star Spangled Bobbins

The set of spangled bobbins Mari lent me have glared at me for a week.  All fanned out on a tray table. Put in to pairs.  Begging to be used.  I had one problem - contact paper.

I knew exactly which pattern I wanted to try - Star with Star Ground - that we had done in guild two years ago.  It has very little sewings and looks lovely when done.  The problem was I couldn't find my roll of contact paper to cover the pricking and DH couldn't find any at the store.  This led to the cleaning up of my art studio . . . I know I know it needed doing too.  And Hazzah the paper was found, the pricking covered and the work begun.

Here is what I've found.  I pick the bobbins up by the spangles.  I have a hard time picking up the itty bitty shaft and find the spangle loop easier to grasp.  I've not seen anyone else do this so I know it's probably not "proper", but it's working for me.  I'm still not sold on itty spangled bobbins, but they do take up much less space on the pillow.

The Woes of a Faild Battery

I have very few pictures as my camera has been having battery issues.  I've also been doing very little worth taking pictures of.  How interesting are pics of things like, "books I've been copying patterns from" or "new thread I bought just because".

Here is a snake that I and some random kids at a demo made this last September.

I'll have a few more lace things as soon as I get new batteries for the camera.

In other news:  I was elected as VP of the local lace guild for the next 2 years. The gravestones I've been making for Halloween decorations are looking good as well as the PVC pipe skeleton.  Pics to follow...*arg ye power gods*

I've also been painting my kitchen.  Not very home artsy, but quite fun. 

Little Woosh of Air

While it seems that the Carol Berg book project took all the wind out of my sails I assure you it did not.  I have been tatting oodles and oodles. . . of the same thing . . . over and over. 

I'm making an altar cloth for a temple and know that I've got to make a couple hundred of them...so far I have 5 *LAUGH*.

I have also been writing, which some of you have read.  But unfortunately I've yet to work up an antagonist I like.  There are couple of fun scenes in which nasty things happen to my troop of main characters, however, no bad guy for them to thwart yet.

I've also been working up a list of Halloween and Chrsitmas projects.  Yep you read that right CHRISTMAS *mu ha ha ha ha*  I will be embarking on gift projects very soon.  Okay as soon as I find the floor in my sewing room.  DH bought me a large industrial shelving unit that now awaits the junk on my floor.  Cleanliness before projectieness.

I actualy wish I could start a craft club.  Like a book club only more fun.  We get together once a month and work on crafts, swap patterns, that sort of thing.  I know I know I go to a lace guild right now, but honestly I'd like people more my age.  *sigh*  some days I want friends...other days I love my hermitage.

Here's the skeleton I'm making for Halloween  http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/general-bone-e-part-671267/

Anyone want to swop ideas?

It's a Box

I woke early this morning and instead of cleaning or starting into packing food for my trip I made a box.  It's for THEE BOOK.  I didn't have enough of the green marbled paper so I used up all my blue *laugh*.   I really need a bigger house so I can have room for a true guillotine cutter.  *sigh*  when we get rich off Rick's teaching job *snort*.

Ah well, here are pics of the box: