Well, it's been an odd couple of weeks.
The 10 year anniversary of my accident came and went and I made sure I was so busy I wouldn't have to feel it.
Dharia hosted a Stitch N Bitch Weds night, which was fun. I always feel a little funny as they are all scientists from Brandeis and I am the stay-at-home-mommie, but it is fun all the same. On the drive home I listened to Third Eye Blind (actually I listened to ALL my CD's cuz I was stuck in a 2 hour construction traffic jam) and came to "I want you" which will forever remind me of driving around with Juice in the Diamante ( I feel so old when I realize that was about 8 or 9 years ago...)
Anyway, Heather (http://www.brightlights-littlecity.com/) came over on Friday, supposedly to work on some labels for her, but we took a detour to Da-lat and the HK Kitty store, my new little side obsession. I think everyone needs a Choco-cat thermus (I have one...) and a Hello Kitty camo clutch purse. Really.
Heather bought a TON of their little oragami kits to make little stars and cranes. Too cute.
We had a long dinner at Da-lat (as usual - the worst service of anywhere...but it's part of the charm) and decided to do a tour of Worcester afterwards. Crown Hill, Indian Lake, Starbucks, Main Street...all the important places. We decided to go have one drink somewhere and because it was one of the first balmy kinda humid evenings, I thought it would be nice to sit outside. So either Vincent's or Ralph's. So we picked Ralph's (oh yeah - we also spent an hour in Savers...2nd-hand store). We went in, ordered drinks and walked outside where all the tables under the tent were full. Let me interrupt to say I NEVER go out anymore. I was a 3-4 night a week go-outer in Worcester back in my day and now that I have a house, husband and offspring, I rarely leave the house past 8pm...this was a treat.
So I look around for some dry seats and who is sitting a table with a girl...Juice. Well blow me down. I lead Heather off to the back corner and we dry off some chairs. I intentionally sit with my back to him and a wall kinda between us and tell Heather the story. It really was years ago, but for some reason I can't get out of my head how much he really brought me down. How at the time he ruined my life and I had no options. I'm sure he would say the same, that I was a total life-ruiner and it was all my fault. So before I even finished the story they got up to leave. Fine with me. I wondered if he had noticed me at all, but how could he NOT seen me. Ugh. SO that was fun. The only thing I had wished he seen was my new Element. Oh well.
So Heather and I had fun. One drink as we promised. Of course I could have sat there all night but we left.
We came back here and started painting on silk. We definately didn;t plan it...so by the time we finished, talked about shows and the sticker she wasts to make, it was about 3:30am.
I couldn't sleep and by 4:15 I decided to just stay awake.
Ethan was up by 6:30 so we all got dressed and went yard-sale-ing. Kinda boring. I bought some plants for the garden which is shaping up nicely and we came home.
I slept from noon - 3pm.
Here it is 10pm and I'm going on lots of awake time and very little sleep time. Mania again.
I painted another scarf that I really love howit came out. Poppies and a robins egg blue background. picture to come soon.
Whew. Red
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Saturday, May 20, 2006
FeltSpiralBeads
New experiment - felted spiral beads - about 1/3" thick by 3/4" diameter.
Let's see what these become...
Let's see what these become...
DM Jones Beach 5-13-06
Did I tell you I saw Depeche Mode at Jones Beach Long Island last week?? If you know me, I probably did.
Don't balme me for the lousy pics - the hubby did it...
Don't balme me for the lousy pics - the hubby did it...
Thursday, May 04, 2006
1/2 done necklace
Pendant from LillyPilly designs - etched shell.
I'm using a bunch of oranges and natural shades - I'm actually suprised by how many orange beads I have.
I'm using a bunch of oranges and natural shades - I'm actually suprised by how many orange beads I have.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Headache Hangover
Ugh - it's 5am and I am finally coming down after a bad headache day. Monday I woke up feeling bad and it just got to worse. Took my ususal meds, thanked Dan for being able to watch Ethan all day and couched myself until I finally dragged myself up to bed at 9:30.
Sunday night the playgroup mommies went out to eat and I had 3 white Russians. Now normally I would blame this headeache on liquor but it really wasn't THAT kind of headache. Actually, it got bad when we drove 35 mins to the restaurant and because I sat in front, I was turned around chatting the whole way which made me a tad carsick.
So I don't know - I'm thinking this is the hormone migraine as the Relpax worked pretty good; if it was just a tension variety, the Relpax would just meake me sick.
OK - so to go on and on...
Here it is 5:am Tuesday and since I slept off and on all day yesterday, I woke up at 4am today ready to go (with a hangover headache but still functioning).
So I am going to work on the silk painting I started a few days ago and perhaps today I will get some work done on some earrings. Natalie is going to come by tonight and learn how to make them with me - that will be fun. Plus - Dharia and I discussed that I probably bring back earrings to my product line as they really are my constant seller even though i LOATHE making them. It sucks when your "cash cow" item is the best seller.
Pics of the silk soon.
Sunday night the playgroup mommies went out to eat and I had 3 white Russians. Now normally I would blame this headeache on liquor but it really wasn't THAT kind of headache. Actually, it got bad when we drove 35 mins to the restaurant and because I sat in front, I was turned around chatting the whole way which made me a tad carsick.
So I don't know - I'm thinking this is the hormone migraine as the Relpax worked pretty good; if it was just a tension variety, the Relpax would just meake me sick.
OK - so to go on and on...
Here it is 5:am Tuesday and since I slept off and on all day yesterday, I woke up at 4am today ready to go (with a hangover headache but still functioning).
So I am going to work on the silk painting I started a few days ago and perhaps today I will get some work done on some earrings. Natalie is going to come by tonight and learn how to make them with me - that will be fun. Plus - Dharia and I discussed that I probably bring back earrings to my product line as they really are my constant seller even though i LOATHE making them. It sucks when your "cash cow" item is the best seller.
Pics of the silk soon.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival
Today was the sheepshearing festival where I shared a booth with Dharia of Skeintily Clad and Kate of Woolarina. Today started out with a sunny sky, but about 10am it clouded over and was blistering cold!!! The booth was set up pretty fast as I have attempted to streamline setup for me and bring less stuff. A new addition were my handpainted silk scarves and a fantastic new display rack my dad built yesterday.
There were tons of crafters, the term I use loosely (I would have juried the applicants a little more if it was my show...). Trish and Cheryl were also there and it's always nice to see them.
The show was very well attended, even though it was a chilly day but I really didn't sell too much. Four felted flower pins, a felted bead kit and a zipper ball. Not good.
Dharia did attempt to teach me how to use the drop spindle, not that I will ever feel as though I need to spin. We had an interesting conversation about how I feel if I can't do a craft relatively good on the first try, I know it isn't for me. Yes, I understand how important practice is (did I mention I played the clarinet in school...) but I KNOW immediately if a certain craft is FOR ME and if I can't excel at it right away, I am usually not interested. Call me a crafty snob. I have no problem saying (out loud) my abilities in craftiness exceed the general population, but don't ask me anything about History or Algebra. Or Latin. French. Biology. Literature. OK - you get the point.
The girls sold well, cuz it IS their target and they both have amazing yarn. I think Kate reminded Dharia and I that tan, grey, beige and cream ARE colors too, besides magenta, lime green and orange (I think I'd forgotten about the neutrals...).
There were tons of crafters, the term I use loosely (I would have juried the applicants a little more if it was my show...). Trish and Cheryl were also there and it's always nice to see them.
The show was very well attended, even though it was a chilly day but I really didn't sell too much. Four felted flower pins, a felted bead kit and a zipper ball. Not good.
Dharia did attempt to teach me how to use the drop spindle, not that I will ever feel as though I need to spin. We had an interesting conversation about how I feel if I can't do a craft relatively good on the first try, I know it isn't for me. Yes, I understand how important practice is (did I mention I played the clarinet in school...) but I KNOW immediately if a certain craft is FOR ME and if I can't excel at it right away, I am usually not interested. Call me a crafty snob. I have no problem saying (out loud) my abilities in craftiness exceed the general population, but don't ask me anything about History or Algebra. Or Latin. French. Biology. Literature. OK - you get the point.
The girls sold well, cuz it IS their target and they both have amazing yarn. I think Kate reminded Dharia and I that tan, grey, beige and cream ARE colors too, besides magenta, lime green and orange (I think I'd forgotten about the neutrals...).
Thursday, April 20, 2006
756A
My first necklace in a long time.
I've made this over the past couple days watching movies.
I finished it watching "Garden State" tonight which was an amazing movie - I loved the soundtrack so much I bought it on i-tunes, esp the song "Let Go" by Frou Frou.
I've been plugging along working on my "subversive cross stitching" thanks to the book by Julie Jackson. I only stuck to the book for the first one, "bitchin' kitchen", but am currently working on "no crybabies" and "sarcasm spoken here" (that one will be mine).
I've made this over the past couple days watching movies.
I finished it watching "Garden State" tonight which was an amazing movie - I loved the soundtrack so much I bought it on i-tunes, esp the song "Let Go" by Frou Frou.
I've been plugging along working on my "subversive cross stitching" thanks to the book by Julie Jackson. I only stuck to the book for the first one, "bitchin' kitchen", but am currently working on "no crybabies" and "sarcasm spoken here" (that one will be mine).
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Friday, April 07, 2006
silks
I've made a few painted silks this week; soon to be made into scarves - next week.
I seem to be uninspired with silk this week as none of these are my particular favorites.
I seem to be uninspired with silk this week as none of these are my particular favorites.
felted flower pins
I've been quiet the past week or so - lots of the same.
I've been making needle felted flower pins, embellished by seed beads and freshwater pearls.
I've been making needle felted flower pins, embellished by seed beads and freshwater pearls.
Monday, March 20, 2006
felt flower arrangement
This is one of my submissions for the exhibit that starts next week - a 3-D wall-hanging flower arrangement made with needle felted flowers.
I really liked making the delphinium, which is peeking out on the left side in the back. I need to add some more "filler" greenery and it will be done!
I really liked making the delphinium, which is peeking out on the left side in the back. I need to add some more "filler" greenery and it will be done!
finished shrinky dinks
Here are some finished pin heads. The flounder in the center is the largest in the pic, measuring 3/4 of an inch across.
SO CUTE!
SO CUTE!
before cooking
I found this great idea to make cute pin head decorations for the pin cusion:
http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/wee_wonderfuls/2005/08/tutorial_for_sh.html
I started making them over the weekend and had lots of fun!
http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/wee_wonderfuls/2005/08/tutorial_for_sh.html
I started making them over the weekend and had lots of fun!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
grrrrr...headaches...
I saw my neurologist today - 1st time in 4 months. I have not been taking my prescribed meds at the high dose he wanted me to take - Cymbalta at 120mgs. It is an anti-depressant, but has been found to help with migraines, but at a higher dose than for depression. I could just about barely tolerate 60 mg, but anything more made me nap all the time - not an option with a 3 year old.
So he wanted to put me on Topamax AGAIN (this would be the 3rd time!) but I said I'd rather try the Cymbalta than deal with the tingling and dopey brain side-effects of Topamax. He even mentioned Sansert, something I took in 2001 - severe nausea and vomiting.
So, I mentioned I had been having visual auras and numbness & tingling in my hands & arms. He immediately gave me info about a clinical study about PFO, patent foramen ovale, which is a small hole in the heart that up to 40% of migraine sufferers have. 25% of all adults have this but it doesn not affect regular activity. So the initial screening is a doppler heart probe or a "bubble test". The treatment for PFO is a small device placed on the heart at the site of the hole.
Hey - I'm game for anything.
I have really only asked him for narcotics ONCE in the 7 years I have seen him (the week of my wedding). This time I asked for something like a sedative, tranquilizer, muscle relaxer...something. So I got more Zanaflex (muscle relaxer). I was under the impression I could not receive any more nerve blocks, due to scar tissue, but he said in case of a severe headache (during office hours, of course) I could get one nerve block a month.
So I signed the concent form for the bubble heart test and was on my way.
After I got home, one of the nurses called me and asked why he didn't continue the Botox treatment, that I had for the previous 2 years. We had discussed it while she was taking my vitals...I had 9 botox treatments but he decided they weren't as effective as in the beginning of the treatment. She said she talked to him and she would put through the proper referrals, etc. to start that treatment again. That is a relief. He thought for some reason I didn't think the Botox was effective, but I did benefit from the treatment. So hopefully those will start up again.
So he wanted to put me on Topamax AGAIN (this would be the 3rd time!) but I said I'd rather try the Cymbalta than deal with the tingling and dopey brain side-effects of Topamax. He even mentioned Sansert, something I took in 2001 - severe nausea and vomiting.
So, I mentioned I had been having visual auras and numbness & tingling in my hands & arms. He immediately gave me info about a clinical study about PFO, patent foramen ovale, which is a small hole in the heart that up to 40% of migraine sufferers have. 25% of all adults have this but it doesn not affect regular activity. So the initial screening is a doppler heart probe or a "bubble test". The treatment for PFO is a small device placed on the heart at the site of the hole.
Hey - I'm game for anything.
I have really only asked him for narcotics ONCE in the 7 years I have seen him (the week of my wedding). This time I asked for something like a sedative, tranquilizer, muscle relaxer...something. So I got more Zanaflex (muscle relaxer). I was under the impression I could not receive any more nerve blocks, due to scar tissue, but he said in case of a severe headache (during office hours, of course) I could get one nerve block a month.
So I signed the concent form for the bubble heart test and was on my way.
After I got home, one of the nurses called me and asked why he didn't continue the Botox treatment, that I had for the previous 2 years. We had discussed it while she was taking my vitals...I had 9 botox treatments but he decided they weren't as effective as in the beginning of the treatment. She said she talked to him and she would put through the proper referrals, etc. to start that treatment again. That is a relief. He thought for some reason I didn't think the Botox was effective, but I did benefit from the treatment. So hopefully those will start up again.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Felted Flower
I had all the roving out from finishing the Starry Night project, so I decided to try my hand at making a 3D object. I had seen plenty of felted flower pins, so I chose that.
I think I am my worst enemy because it took 2 hours to make this because I am such a perfectionist, and it couldn't just have 2 colors, but I had to make it variegated with light blue and purple, and then I had to add a stem and I know I will HAVE to add some beads to the center of it...when will it end!!!
I think I am my worst enemy because it took 2 hours to make this because I am such a perfectionist, and it couldn't just have 2 colors, but I had to make it variegated with light blue and purple, and then I had to add a stem and I know I will HAVE to add some beads to the center of it...when will it end!!!
755A
Lariat necklace using Lorraine Starr's copper enameled pendant.
Also: citrine, amazonite, freshwater pearls, clay face bead, porcelain bead, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver, turquoiseCzech glass beads, sterling silver wire.
Late night jewelry making - it's 1:15am. Bad pic - time for sleep!
Also: citrine, amazonite, freshwater pearls, clay face bead, porcelain bead, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver, turquoiseCzech glass beads, sterling silver wire.
Late night jewelry making - it's 1:15am. Bad pic - time for sleep!
Monday, March 13, 2006
lying down mermaid
After a few weeks of not working on this, I put in about 2 hours of beading on the front. Should be done soon!
Wet Starry Night
So I worked on the felting project today. I wasn't happy with the needle felting (I learned wet felting first) so into the sink it went!
A little soap and scrubbing and I felt better that the piece as a whole was a bit more secure.
I used a few pieces of polyester store-bought felt (wouldn't you know I wouldn't have one piece large enough) as I was felting so it would have some kind of base.
Now to cut the edges more square after it dries.
A little soap and scrubbing and I felt better that the piece as a whole was a bit more secure.
I used a few pieces of polyester store-bought felt (wouldn't you know I wouldn't have one piece large enough) as I was felting so it would have some kind of base.
Now to cut the edges more square after it dries.
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