Making Books and Hitting the Books

I've finished the two books that were on my agenda for today and am pretty pleased with them. The first one is a 2 needle coptic stitch of a 1924 children's book from a series. It has 4 signatures with 10 folios in each for a total page count of 160. I really like everything about it.

I absolutely love the end papers so chose to leave them instead of covering them.

The other book is also a very old book and it is letting some of its age show. There is some discoloring (like gray hair on me). I reinforced the spine with book cloth and then stitched the signatures using a pattern of Xs. There was some weakness between the spine and the book ends that allowed a bit of ripping. Even so, the book is very sturdy and is made of 5 signatures with 7 folios in each for a total of 140 pages. The paper is 67 pound cover paper which takes markers and fountain pens without bleed through. It even takes light water media very well. The plain end papers were replaced with decorative ones.

Another favorite.

The day has gotten away from me. I was planning to get on the treadmill for my hour work out, but I have an Algebra student coming at 3 and a Trigonometry student coming at 5:30. I have a haircut appointment at 7:30. Yikes!!! Somebody slow this day down please.

Tomorrow I have Little Miss 3 for the day and Miss 8 will get off the bus here, so I'm not sure any book making will take place. We will do art of some kind I just am not sure what yet. Perhaps I'll have something to show you tomorrow.

For now, stay warm (c'mon Spring) and if you are in southern Michigan stay inside tonight. The weatherman is predicting up to an inch of ice overnight.

xoxo

Terribly Tired Thursday

I can't believe I did it again - there was a really great match between Vera Zvonareva of Russia and Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia. The young Serb came out hitting really hard and took the first set from the #2 seed Zvonareva 6-2. Zvonareva came through with the win in the end, but it took a nail biting three sets to accomplish. I can't wait to see more tennis from Jovanovski in the future. This was the first time I'd seen her play and she is really good. The match didn't get over until 2 AM and that means I didn't get to sleep until about 2:30 AM. I had a good sleep, but here it is after 10 in the morning and I've got nothing done yet.

I am tutoring in Stockbridge again today at 2:30 so I think I will wait to spend an hour on the treadmill until I get home from there. I need to clean house today as I am having an overnight guest on Saturday and I just don't feel like it. If I had one wish it would be to have enough money left over each month to hire someone to come in and clean my house. I really don't mind the day to day picking up, making the bed, vacuuming, cooking and doing dishes, but I really dislike cleaning bathrooms, washing down cupboards, dusting and scrubbing floors.

For today I have a rather poor sketch of a couple of sea shells - I am thinking Florida and walking the beach without a winter coat and hat and boots. I sketched in pen and don't know how to get a light line so I can have some contrast in my drawing. But for what it is worth, here is what I have:

I have some upholstery samples that I think would make wonderful journal covers. I may have to reinforce the spine with a bit of book cloth on the inside, but I am going to try using fabric sometime between now and Monday and I will share my results with you. Here are a few of my favorites:

I need to make some practice worksheets for my tutoring session this afternoon, so I'd better get busy. I hope to get something done today besides watching tennis, but I can't promise anything. Please come by tomorrow and see for yourself if I've been able to produce something arty.

xoxo

Tryout Tuesday

Do you remember I mentioned that I was going to start drawing with pen so I couldn't erase? And how I said I was going to try drawing with my whole arm instead of from the wrist?

It felt really good and was quite fun making this sketch even though it looks a bit wild - of course, an eagle is a wild creature - so maybe wildness is appropriate.

On another note, I watched the videos for the LK Ludwig class, Just Three Journals, that I mentioned yesterday. So nice and easy to understand. And only $15 - if you are at all interested in making your own journals or repurposing old books into new ones, this class is for you. The big bonus for me was that I was meeting a Calculus student at the coffee shop in Stockbridge and they have WIFI and it is quite fast. I just got there early and stayed after we were done with the tutoring session and watched them all.

Now I need to actually follow through by making my first one using one of her methods and/or using one of the methods I used in the Hollander's class earlier this month and share it with you. I had hoped to get one started yesterday, but in the evening I had an Algebra student over and then put some music on and worked crossword puzzles instead.

The daughter just called. She has the day off and is coming out to wrap Christmas presents that she has stored at my house. I have the coffee on and am in my jimjams and think maybe I could be working on a book while she is wrapping. 

I am hoping to have another really good day; the sun is shining (albeit on a layer of frost on the grass) and the birds are active at the feeder. If it wasn't for the sound of the furnace running this would be just about perfect.

I'm hoping you are having a great day wherever you are and that you get some YOU time to do art or whatever else you find of value just for you.

xoxo

A Quick Sketch

In my attempt to do some art everyday, I have done a quick sketch of a picture I found in a book called Madonna with Cat. I don't remember what book I found it in, but I had a good time with it. I am trying very hard to do "gesture" sketching to get a quick likeness so that when I get up the courage to sketch in public, I may actually get something.

Here is my quick attempt:

And here is the print whose essence I was trying to capture:

Somehow I came home with my Mom's handicap parking permit so I have to run to the post office to send it back. Also, my Mom lives on a gravel road and my car is filthy, so I think I will run through a car wash while I am out.

I am tutoring this afternoon and am looking forward to that. 

I can't believe how busy I am already. I have the first grader tomorrow after school just for a little while and then have her and her 2 year old sister on Saturday and Sunday. I have a haircut Monday morning and am tutoring on Tuesday afternoon - and somehow I am starting a part time job next week also.

Loving this life!

xoxo

Attempt No. 2

First thing this morning I started in with a fresh eye and decided to change three things - the distance from her nose to the back of her chignon (I'm not sure this "hair in a snood" qualifies as a chignon, but I've never before had a chance to use that word in a sentence and couldn't help myself.); the eye; and the nose.

The first one wasn't too difficult and I am pleased with the result, but still don't like the hair that is free near the front of her head. I am actually not too displeased with the new eye. It appears to be a bit more defined than the original, but is certainly an improvement over the first attempt. The nose is still bothering me a bit, not so much for itself, but for how it required a redraw of the mouth and chin. That is my biggest disappointment at this point, but I am going to walk away from it now and maybe try again later in the day.

 

Today's version

Yesterday's Initial Attempt

The Original

I would sincerely appreciate any comments or suggestions you have for me, and a big thank you to all who left comments yesterday.

I need to spend some time today gathering the supplies I need to take to Hollander's on Sunday for the 

Found Book Concertina class and in the process clean up my art room (it is quite a mess). I also need to prepare for the watercolor class that begins on Monday through the A.R.T. Yahoo! group.

The second Molly Murrah free watercolor workshop at the Creative Techs site is today and I am hoping to watch and learn. I don't have the supplies yet (there is lots of overlap between her list and the list in the Claudia Nice book), but am anxious to watch anyway and take notes.

I have an Algebra student coming over after school today and am looking forward to working with him again (I tutored him in Geometry last semester).

Sounds like a busy day, but I also have to find time to get on the treadmill. I am trying very hard to give about 1/2 hour a day and am becoming addicted to it.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

xoxo

Doodling Some More

Yesterday was so busy I didn't get to play even one game (on the computer - my mindless relaxation) of dominoes or solitaire until ten minutes before midnight. It was a good busy - blogging, making and sending a surprise ATC to a dear internet friend, tutoring a Geometry student, helping my son with his Algebra homework, and finally while the hubster was watching the MSU/North Carolina basketball game I did a couple of doodle sketches. I must admit the first one was done in a very controlled manner (I know it doesn't look very controlled (grin)) while trying to follow some instructions from the zentangle newsletter. I thought it might be a good warm up for a less controlled session. Here is the first one:

And then I quit following directions and just tried to make some little patterns. I'm okay with how it turned out, but I wasn't totally relaxed. My goal is to follow Maer's example and spend some time in front of the teevee (I seldom watch, but like to spend some time with the hubster) each evening and do a bit of sketching and/or doodling.

Here is the second of the two attempts:

And while I really like red when it comes to shoes and clothes, I really should get a black micron or other really fine black pen.

I am so grateful for all the comments I am getting and all the helpful suggestions both for doodling and for my other attempts at creativity. I so appreciate my internet "family". You are so much more encouraging than my actual family (by that I mean my siblings - of which I have 13 12 who are living and think I am a bit silly and maybe even pretentious to think that I could be an artist. Actually, I do have a sister (the one you all sent positive energy and prayers to last week) who is extremely encouraging and loves me unconditionally.

Today, the hubster and I are going to run some errands, do a surprise good deed, and maybe hit the hardware stores (I wonder if I can find some "steampunk" treasures?) or who knows what. This afternoon I will be doing more Algebra homework with my son and I am going to the chiropractor for a quick visit. Looks like another busy day filled with fun and personal satisfaction. I am going to try to sit in the living room with the hubster some time this evening and sketch and/or doodle. I'll share tomorrow.

See you then!

AEDM-Day 23, Birds and a Health Update

I am home for now. My sister has had a boatload of tests and has a team of doctors, most of whom I met yesterday. What a great team and what a wonderful facility she is in. The concensus so far is that she is in great shape and her problem is some "jaggy" blockage in her right carotid artery. Apparently smooth blockage (< 70%) is not considered to be too dangerous, but the jaggy kind seems to be more likely to have renegade platelets break away and do damage. Surgery is being seriously considered. At first it sounded like they were going to do the surgery today. So I called the hubster and told him instead of returning on Sunday afternoon I would be staying until after the surgery. Then the neurosurgeon came by to visit and said there was one more test he wanted to do to be absolutely sure that the right carotid was the only culprit. She is having some kind of stress test this morning and is now looking at having the surgery early next week. So I drove home. The hubster was playing tennis, so I didn't call to tell him. Imagine his surprise when he arrived home! I talked with my sister this morning and she is back on an IV and has been NPO since midnight in preparation for this test. She is hungry and is hoping the test is sooner rather than later. I will be going over to stay again when she has her surgery.

I tried to catch up with my email and blogs that I subscribe to last evening and then sketched a couple of birds. I'll let you decide if they resemble what I have identified them to be.

Later this morning, the hubster and I are going up to the Maple Street Mall where he has a space to rearrange it for the holidays. Then we need to make a stop for softener salt, water, almonds, and flavored coffee.

I am meeting a freshman Geometry student in Stockbridge at 2:30 and have two Algebra students coming to my house at 4:00. Another busy day.

My art room is a total mess and needs a revamp. I may spend some time today  reorganizing it. That way I can get it clean and looking new.

I am quite hoarse this morning. No other symptoms. Either I picked up a bug while visiting my sister or this is how my body is choosing to handle the stress.

Puzzling and More

I began the puzzle pieces for the swap at the next meeting of michiganab, a Yahoo! group. Here is what the original pieces look like straight from the box.

First I applied a layer of thinned gesso and let it dry and then I began to randomly add some color. At that point I realized that the largest piece had a break in it. You can see it in the base of the joining part in the dark area. I think it is a horses hoof. At any rate it really showed up more once it was gessoed and painted. I was concerned about this so I decided that I would put some background paper on each piece instead of just paint.

I looked around my room looking into various containers looking for something I liked when I almost literally stumbled over a large ziploc bag full of interesting "art starts" that I purchased for $2 at the USArtQuest warehouse sale earlier this year. I found the most fabulous papers - well see for yourself:

Aren't they just gorgeous? The theme is "things with wings". Now the fun part will begin - deciding what to add.....

I've been having a great deal of fun playing with a picture that Kate Johnson posted and invited the everydaymatters Yahoo! group to correct/alter.....

If you don't know Cathy Johnson (Kate), she is a prolific artist, author, businesswoman.....

I first "met" her through the North Light Books book club, which no longer exists. North Light Books is a wonderful place to find art books at good prices. If you go there you will either see artists you know and love and/or find new artists and techniques.

On another topic altogether, I received an email from FatCow yesterday announcing the free download of 1000 icons suitable for web, desktop and Photoshop use. You might even find other uses they haven't thought of. You don't have to be a FatCow customer to get them. Click here if you are interested.

I also want to pass along to you an announcement about a wonderful class/retreat being offered with the superbly talented Sarah Fishburn. It is being offered December 5th and 6rh at the cutest studio I've seen in a long time (all I've seen is the outside, but it is just the cutest little house). You can find out more here. I'd give my left arm (I need my right arm and I am suffering a terrible case of tennis elbow in the left, LOL) to be able to attend this class.

My son was here last evening working on his Algebra class homework with me and I am expecting him again today and tomorrow. I have such fun - I love math (so I'm a nerd!) and I love spending quality time with my boy (he's actually a man - soon to be 28 years old - but he will always be my boy). I also got an email with a possible tutoring job. This one would be Intro to Probability and Statistics. I'll find out more tomorrow, but the initial plan is to meet on Saturday.

I have an online webinar (is it redundant to say online and webinar together?) today. It is from Creative Techs and is a Special Guest Event: Photoshop Smart Objects + OpenType Tricks! I am really looking forward to it. Hopefully the baby will be napping then or Poppa will be in charge for that hour. This is a free event and you can register here.

Well, I've got the 2 year old today - she should be arriving soon - and then will take her into town to meet the 6 year old's bus (actually the bus is not hers) and stay at their house until their Mom gets home around dinner time. I'd better get this old body in gear and fuel up....

See you tomorrow!

Goodies in the Mail 2

I haven't had a minute to devote to my art these past few days. We are working fast and furious on getting the daughter's house ready, babysitting while said daughter works, and I have been tutoring for 2 hours each day.

I have had some lovely mail, however. First I received a lovely envelope full of ephemera from AnLiNa Designs with foreign language newspapers, lovely papers, labels, bingo card.....such fun!




And then the next day I received my hand drawn art supply ATCs from a trade I was participating in through ATCsForAll.




These two deliveries have been my eye candy for this week. Today and tomorrow are still babysitting days and I am tutoring each day. On Friday morning I am leaving to go north to my Mom's for the Mothers' Day weekend. I probably won't get any art done while I am there, but I will surely have fun cooking for her, taking her to second hand stores and grocery shopping, playing cribbage and Yahtzee, watching the Tigers and game shows.....it will be BIG fun. I am also hoping to catch up with a couple of friends from high school that I haven't seen to talk to in probably 20 years.

I will check in when I can. I think I will be far from internet access while at my Mom's but will be sure to take the camera and will share pix when I return.

I am still waiting to hear from vickylw so that I can send her the lovely book she won. If I haven't heard from her by the time I return from my Mom's on Monday, May 11, I will select a new winner.

Bye for now!

Leather Journal, Birds & CED2009

I had the most wonderful package in the mail today. I won another journal from Rice at the Voodoo Cafe, but this one is leather - it is heavenly, exquisite, buttery soft, ooooooh!



When I showed it to P, the kindergartner, her comment was, "No fair, Nana, you have more journals than I do!" She has at least half a dozen herself, one she made herself and one I made for her, the rest have come from friends and Santa. Of course, she doesn't yet have a leather one :-)

I have been really busy these last few days. I tutored a total of 9 hours since last Wednesday and have babysat several of those days besides. I haven't had much time to devote to art work (read "fun"). I have, however, tried to draw a couple of birds. The one on the left hand page is a hawk and the one on the right is, I think, some kind of swallow. The rest of the page is a combination of blue and yellow pencil and bird stamps.

The words say, "The birds do not sing to a man who cannot hear".

I bought a wireless printer/scanner with the money from tutoring and had no trouble connecting it to the network with my desktop computer. However, I am unable to get it to be recognized by my iBook. I have tried at least 4 times. I am going to have to call for support when I get a few hours to myself. It is hard to converse with tech support with babies vying for my attention.

I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring. The painting and ripping of carpet has begun at my daughter's recently purchased house and all schedules are unpredictable. I am just trying to go with the flow and take it as it comes.

That's it for now!

Bye!

EDM #11

Today is a very busy day, but I am trying really hard to sketch at least one thing each day. This morning the hubster and I went into town for weed and feed, oil for the lawn mower, bird seed and light bulbs. We had breakfast out and looked at grills, too.

My daughter is closing on her house at 2 PM and I am meeting my tutee at the same time at Panera. Afterwards I am going to stop and pick up some potatoes so that I can make some potato salad when I get home. I didn't get to it the other day.

Also, the young man who I tutor in Calculus called this morning. He is coming over tomorrow early in the afternoon.

It is a gloriously beautiful day and my attitude is terrific. I am taking all the cardboard, plastic containers, glass bottles and aluminum to the recycling place on Lansing Avenue. I have been told by a reliable source that they take everything - my local place only takes a few items.

I still need my oil changed and my car washed, but that may have to wait for another day.

Meanwhile, here is a pair of my glasses (cheaters). I tried to add a little color (roughly). The brown is approximately the color of the glasses and the orange is what the highlights look like.




That's it for now. Bye!

Life Gets in The Way

I feel like I have been away forever. We have all been down with varying degrees of head colds, sore throats, coughing and not sleeping through the night. This is especially hard on the little ones.
We have also been house hunting, which I find very fun. But it is very emotional and time consuming. DD thinks she has found another house that she would like to put an offer on, only this time she likes it much more than the other. The location is perfect for her and the yard is really nice. She and her Dad are going to meet a realtor there Saturday morning. I really want to go, but someone has to stay home with the girls.

I had the most unusual phone call yesterday. First some background - I took some "math tutor" posters to the local junior college in August of 2007 and an instructor friend of mine hung them on bulletin boards in the hallway and in the math help room. I never heard from anyone. Now to the phone call - I answered and a young man said, "Is this the math tutor?" You must understand that my son is always calling me and pretending to be someone else. At first I thought this must be him, but the voice sounded natural and not at all like his. At any rate, I am tutoring him on Saturday morning. He is in a Calculus class and would like some help.

Of course, the first thing I did was dig out my old textbook, thinking I'd better do some relearning, since I hadn't done any calculus in almost 2 years. What a wonderful surprise! I remember it all. I looked through the first 6 chapters and there was nothing that looked foreign at all. I had the notion that Calculus would be something you would lose if you did not use it, but it is just like an old friend. I am really looking forward to this session and hope it becomes a routine. It would be nice if he continued with the tutoring and told friends about it and I could get a few more students. I am thinking selfishly of the art supplies I could buy without dipping into the family budget.

I have to go pay property taxes today and go to the post office to mail the ATCs I am trading. I am hoping the baby will nap today so that I can do some painting. My art journal is calling to me. It has been too long since I worked/played in it. Yesterday when I put the baby down for her nap, I did a core workout with Cathe and then did 30 minutes on the treadmill at 5 degrees incline at 3.3 mph. If you are unfamiliar with Cathe, you should check her out. She is my favorite workout guru to date. Tomorrow is the last day of February and is weigh and measure day. I am excited and hopeful that I have lost more pounds and inches!

I workout with the iPod so don't hear much local noise while walking. Imagine my surprise when I got done to hear the little sobbing and calling, "Nana!" Certainly got no art done yesterday. She never did go back to sleep. She is a delight but such a busy little girl.

I am hoping to post some new art work tomorrow. I dislike posting a note with no pix, but it is surely better than not posting at all!