Groceries

Finished our monthly shopping yesterday. Groceries=almost $400, instead of my normal @ $250.00. Pretty good indication that prices are going up recession or not. The only meat I bought was a package of chicken and 6 cans of salmon. I'm still in shock. On the other hand, I haven't used up all of my yearly Blue Cross drug coverage. I picked up 3 months worth of one kind of pills yesterday and it only cost $33.00. Without coverage it would have been closer to $200.

Did some more stash sorting yesterday. Sometimes wonder if I'm not just movingit from placeto place! I keep wondering if this is my way of procrastinating, but my wrists have been sore lately,and there's really no way I should be sewing. Now I have to figure out what I'm going to do with the stuff I want to get rid of. Last time I bundled it up into large plastic bags and sold it off for a couple of $$ a bag. My goal is to get rid of the two 30 gallon Rubbermade tubs I have inthe store room. That whole room needs cleaning and I can't even get in there conmfortably with those tubs in the way.

Started the "big clean-up"

I managed to empty one storage bin of fabric. Next I'm going to tackle the 30 gallon Rubbermade tubs. There are two of them and they are mainly full of "fancy" fabric that I used to use to make handbags. I rarely use it in my collages, but maybe I should be thinking about trying to. I was surprised at how much Duippionni silk I have, as well as Shantung Satin. I plan to keep both of those, but some of the unidentifiable weird stuff may as well go.

My first sale of the summer is in about two weeks and I will have to label every thing and make up inventories--the organizer wants an inventory in trilicate--that will keep me busy and off the streets. this will be a real test of the economy.

didn't get my books. I went to a shop that has been highly recommended by other quilters, but there were no books--all of the stock was in BC at a show. On top of that they were rude. I did get some silk, not in the colours I had hoped, but very pretty none the less. I also got felt to match, so that I can use the silk for box making or needle felting. I love the Duipionni silk for needlefelting. I tear it in 1/2" strips, but leave all of the loose threads hanging, and then felt it down. It felts beautifully, and and really adds to a felted piece. At another store I picked up some fat uarters--batiks. I rarely buy commercial fabric, much preferring to paint or dye my own, so this was a treat. The workshop I attended last weekend used batiks for the project backgrounds, and I really want to conquer this. I screwed up during the workshop and I'm determined to do better.

Yesterday we were out pricing computers. We very much want to up-grade a bit, and the one we have seems to need cleaning out. We use it for so little that we can get away with up-grading every five years instead of the every three months that real users think they need. We are seriously looking at a lap top. We found one that has a built in CD/DVD burner. The price is do-able( no--it's not the cheapest one around) and technical support would be available to us. This would allow me to be using the computer while DH is playing in endless poker tournaments. We need things like a new keyboard and mouse for the older computer, and I want a photo manipulation program for which classes would be available.

All of this planning and shopping, after my illness over the past few weeks, has meant that DH and I have been together constantly for over a month now. He has been quite enjoying having me with him, concentrating on his interests. Part of all of this is also the planning for some painting over the summer. I made the mistake of mentioning that a couple of the organizations I belong to are having flea market type events in June. He feels that this would be a great chance for me to get rid of some of the "stuff" I have stored in and around the studio--such as books, fabric and odds and ends. Maybe I could even pickup a few bucks. This terrifies me. I've spent years accumulating a stash, but now I realize that he sees it as competiton or maybe even a threat. I see some delicate negotiations in my future, but absolutely necessary if I, as person, am going to have a future.

Life right now is a little like waiting for the other shoe to drop. Flood is coming. South of us, North Dakota has already been declared a disaster area. Parts of this city are desperately sand bagging, but at the same time we have had a blizzard blowing for three days. It's clear and calm right now, but still quite cold. I can't believe the snow drifts we have in the back yard where we were pumping just a few short days ago. They have started to evacuate areas south of us. The newspaper today showed families moving into local hotels. Other than ground water, we should be okay. Neither of us is in any physical condition to be sandbagging, but we still wonder how we can be part of it--or should we just stay out of the way?

Today I have planned a shopping trip. We've talked about it, and I have decided to actually buy a couple of books. Lately there have been some excellent quilting books come out. So we're off to spend money. No sewing today!

Red book Box

is actually started. I didn't have the red fabric I thought I had, but found something in an orange-y scarlet that may work. I have a clear idea in my mind of what I want to do, but I'm trying to make this box useful in two very different ways. I want to enter it in a show in June, and I want to be able to use it as a sample in a class I'm teaching next spring. For the show, one construction method would work better, and I would have to use a different method for the class. So right now I'm planning and stitching using the second method. I'm not likely to make a second one, but this method will work up quickly, so I'll have time to make a second one, if I really think it's necessary. But the debate I had in my mind about this, has given me a direction for my class that I hadn't considered before.

Still cold, windy and miserable here. Again a day to stay inside and keep warm.

Calm at last!

But only because it's cold and snowy. The cold has slowed the melt down significantly, but the snow means that there is more of the stuff out there to melt when it warms up again. Anyway, it's a beautiful day to spend in house next to the fire ( figuratively speaking). However, I have a meeting downtown right after lunch--what can I say?

Again, I'm in trouble with my work because I can't handle the photography end of it. I'm wanting to buy PhotoShop Elements, and take a course in it. I even have a free course bookmarked on the internet. But now I've had so much difficulty with the whole thing, my brain is shutting down, and I've developed a real block about it. This is more of a threat than the basic lack of knowledge that's at the root of the problem.

I've just about finished the book marks. They are taking much longer than I had planned, but it's been time well spent as I've been working out the surface design for a book box. I've even set a deadline for myself by entering it in a show in mid-June--even though I haven't started work on it yet. So my chore for this week is to tidy up the studio, and make it ready to work in. It became quite a garbage dump while I was sick. I still don't seem to have the endurance to do a lot. It's scarey that since Christmas I've been actually sitting down and watching tv shows without a needle in my hand. I've never done that before in my life, given any option.

Well, just had a phone call cancelling the meeting this afternoon, so I DO get to stay in the house and sit by the fire!

At Last!

The little pump arrived. ( $145.00!!Yikes!!)It's only 1/6hp, but it seems to be pumping out the yard quite nicely. So we can relax a bit, things seem to be under control at last. I worry about DH. He's not used to heavy physical labour any more, and he's been at it for two full days now. I wish I had a wee drop of something to offer him tonight. I've got some home made rhubarb wine, but it's not the same as a glass of scotch. On the other hand, he thrives on being needed and solving a problem, so he's in his element today!

More water!

Late yesterday, the neighbour who loaned us the pump had to take it back, as he discovered that his window wells were full and it was about to pour over into his basement bedrooms. So by this morning our window wells were full, the entire backyard is about 4 inches deep,the whole length of the garage is flooded, ( where DD still has stuff stored from when she moved last summer)and water is pouring into our yard from another neighbour. We were out this morning to buy a pump, and so was everyone else who lives in this city. No pumps to be found, although the guy at Canadian Tire said he might have some on Wednesday. Other store personnel just laughed at us. In desperation we called my sister who lives about 2 1/2 hours away, wondering if they might have a pump or be able to get one for us. We knew that her DH is driving into the city today, so we would be able to get any available pump by late afternoon. My BIL found one for sale in his little town, we gave the store owner our credit card # over the phone, and our pump is on the way. In the meantime, DH has been on his hands and knees outside in the rain, bailing out our window wells. We've had better days!

Two Down!

Few problems yesterday, everyone seems to be enjoying the classes. Looking back I realize that, the piece I created on Friday didn't do credit to the design portion of the class. Technically my piece was fine, but I think I missed the basic concept entirely. When we were there for start of class today, I showed DH what I meant and he saw my problem right away. So I think I need to re-do the piece, putting a very different slant on the design.

But before that happens we have to deal with the lake in the back yard! It is a couple of inches deep all over the yard and has flooded into the garage. DH tried yesterday to move the snow away from the garage,and that's when we discovered that the whole yard is flooded. Luckily, a neighbour has a small pump, and we're now pumping out to the front street, where it can drain away from the house. ( We have no back lane) It's slow, as we have to use our small garden hose to carry the water, but I can already see that the water is a little lower. I expect that it'll take the rest of the day to drain it away, and it's melting just about as fast as we pump it out.

One down!

Day one of the workshops is done. I was absolutely exhausted last night, but still didn't get to bed until after 11:00. I was awake about 5:30 this morning, and, knowing that the alarm was set for 6:30, couldn't get back to sleep. At least today all I have to do is pick up the teacher and take her to the hotel. Then go back for 4:00 to drive her back home again. A nap sounds like a real good idea.

I pretty well finished the workshop piece yesterday. I would like to play with the technique,but the crunch will come with trying to print pictures onto fabric through my computer. The purchased fabric for this is very expensive, and I'm sure that, for a learning curve, I would be doing a lot of printing. For the class the teacher managed to get 8 pictures out of each 8 1/2 by 11 piece of special fabric. If Icould manage to do that, I think I would be laughing. One thing I learnt that I will be able to use for sure is the mounting technique, using either stretched canvas from the dollar store, or foamcore.

When I got home last night, I found e-mail about an art show I'm organizing for June. Enough work to keep me off the streets all next week.

Four weeks!

Until the first sale of the summer. I heard yesterday tht I got the booth space that I had wanted. I'm apprehensive about craft/art sales this year, given the poor economy, but Everything I read says that art sales remain strong in a poor economy, as people see emerging artists as a good investment. I'm looking at about 6 sales this year, and have hopes of selling something. I'm carefully squirreling the money away to help pay for my trip to Edmonton for the FAN retreat in October. I've already sent in post-dated cheques to cover the retreat itself, so I better find the money somewhere!

I took my bookmarks to the Guild meeting last Satuday, as a friend had said she was interested in maybe buying one. Well, she bought them all. So my next task is to make a bunch more bookmarks. She sure caught me by surprize. She says that she plans to use them as informal gifts, for people she works with. Yesterday I managed to make four greeting cards, influenced by the work of the teacher the Quilters' Guild is bringing in this weekend. (The only similarity between mine and hers is the use of free motion quilting.) I used some of my needle felting, and over all , I think it is too bulky for quality cards, but I wouldn't hesitate to ask $5-$7 for the ones I made. I noticed that the price on the teacher's sample was $18. Sure shows what a difference there is between the Winnipeg and the Toronto market. I've also seen some of her work matted for sale. She uses a different matting technique than I do, and I rather like the way her pieces lie flat. I'm hoping that she teaches this in her classes.

The grandchildren are coming over for supper tonight. We haven't seen them since late February, as one or t'other of us has been too busy or too sick. This weekend looks just as bad with these Guild workshops, so tonight may be our best bet. I better try to have a nap this afternoon.

Coming to life!

Oh my! There is a whole world out there. Where have I been? It was a real effort yesterday not tojump in and try to deal with everything all at once, but I did it. Got into a very weird book. I've been reading Andrew M Greeley,but felt I needed a break, as I was starting to think with an Irish accent. The book I picked up sounded like a detective novel, but turned out to have a real horror component. I've never minded vampires, and wizards etc, but this was way beyond that. I'll be glad to get back to Greeley.

Decided to pack up for the workshop I'm taking Friday. I've been involved in organising this, and figured that I may as well participate, since I'll have to be there most of the day, anyway.
Because I've been organizing it, I have most of the teacher's samples, and referred to those when picking fabric etc. As a result, I got an idea of something I want to try. I want to do it now, but slept in this morning and won't have time before I have to head to my stitchery group this afternoon. It was so-o-o good to actually have an idea to work on. Not a great one and probably not a commercial one, but an idea none the less.

And I was able to watch Torchwood last night. A re-run, but at last, not a reality show.

Item # 1

Cleaned the office/computer room. All of the work that has piled up while I was sick, has been sorted, shredded, filed etc and there is only one big job to be done--a set of minutes that need typing within the next day or so. But enough for day one.

First day of the rest of my life!

Yes, I'm feeling well enough to try to make a new start. Lists! I need lists! Or maybe not. things that need doing are pretty obvious around here. But I know thatI need lists to provide focus and direction. So today, I write lists and start working on them. I know enough to be sure that I pace myself, or I'll end up just as sick as I've been. I think there's enough of the cold hanging on slow me down a fair bit

Spent an hour with my mentor yesterday discussing loss of creativity. She associates it with depression rather than dementia. So I think that in my lists, I need to make a few plans for behaviour changes. I feel right out of touch with what is happening in the world, and want to start paying closer attention to the news. And I know self care is important, so maybe a hair cut is in order.
Now, how often have you'll heard this sort of thing before? I'm like an addict. I keep reverting to the same distructive behaviour patterns, rehab myself for a day or two, and then slip right back.

More introspection!

Now that I'm feeling a little ( read little) better I've started to think about doing a little more sewing, but my creative thinking has taken a vacation. A friend tells me that it's because I've been so ill and to give it a few days, but I think this block started before that. I also had a birthday, and when you age, the spectre of mental decline is always peering over your shoulder. I know that creativity is often one of the first functions to go. But I seem to have been missing a lot of mental function over the past little while. DH has taken to picking up after me. While it's nice to have someone care eough to do that, to me, it's a reminder of how fuzzy my thinking is getting.
But, as I'm thinking and fretting over this, on one of my internet groups people are suddenly talking about Julia Cameron and "The Artist's Way" process. I went through the process a few years back, but have not been doing my Morning Pages for quite awhile-instead I've been blogging. If I remember, the books predict that that answers to problems are with us, but we have to be receptive to them. So maybe Someone is telling me that I need to review the process in an effort to renew my creativity. I always try to find humour in things, and I guess that, if I am dementing, in a little while I won't remember why I was worried about forgetting.

The damn geese are back! Noticed them for the first time yesterday. And the newspapers are full of dire predictions of flooding. It must be spring!

Light bulb moment!

We figured it out! both of us were feeling rotten yesterday, but there were a couple of errands we had to run, after being stuck inside for 5 days. We left the house and both of us started to breath a little better. After an hour we both felt great! Well, we had had a casserole boil over in the oven and had cleaned the oven Wednesday evening--with lots of smoke. So when we got home- with clear heads- we each took a Claritin, and managed to have a peaceful sleep. Yes we're both allergic to smoke. So I still have my cold, but my thinking is much clearer today--as is my head. This morning-in the bitter cold-I have the front door open and a fan blowing out through the kitchen window. Hopefully this will help clear out the house, although it's cold in here right now.

When we got home yesterday, I had 32 e-mail waiting for my attention. So no studio time yesterday, but I hope to get in there today.

When it rains....

Today I just feel like crap. I wonder if that means I'm starting to get better. I'm so stuffed up I can't think, and several things seem to be coming to a head right now. So I've spent most of the morning on the phone trying to sort out a very important business letter that must be written--by committee, as well as making preparations for the AGM of my marketing co-op that is scheduled for Sunday. ( I chair) There is also a meeting Saturday--admittedly less important, but a fun one that I usually enjoy, and DH wants to take me out for supper on Saturday to celebrate my birthday. Not much of a celebraton if I'm feeling even remotely like I am today.

Did no studio work yesterday, despite my best intentions. Maybe I'll get down there today.

Spoke to someone yesterday who has been through this cold. She said that it was two weeks before she felt "normal", and that was after she felt well enough to go back to work. I believe her. Yesterday was a rough day. I slept last night but it was because of all the otc cold medication, I'm sure.

Since I don't feel fit to do any work, I've been sitting and going through some of my books. I've been collecting needlework related books for almost 40 years, and I'm thinking it might be time to cull a few out. I plan to slowly donate them to the Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library, so they aren't just dumped in a second hand store. ( My DD has tld me that any of my treasures that aren't clearly marked for some purpose will be part of the "world's biggest garage sale" when I die) While I'm finding some very "dated" books, I'm also finding some gems that I had forgotten about. Part of this might be that my interests have changed over time and what was mildly interesting a few years back, is now a "gotta have".

One book that I looked through last night has given me some real food for thought. It was a how to book on making fabric books. When I got close to the end there was a bit of a gallery show of fabric books made by various artists. As I went through I recognized some of them just by virtue of the style of the work. Now, my work has no consistent style. In "art speak", I haven't yet found my voice. The pieces that are percolating in my mind right now are very different than anything else I've been working on over the past three years. (Maybe it's those otc cold medications?) So how important is it for an artist to find a style that speaks to them and with them? I may be at that dreaded stage of knowing what I don't like. The pieces I did for the Fiber Art Connection of Southern California are quite presentable, and will likely end up in one of their shows. But they are not the sort of thing I find truly representative of me. I would probably not have made them if I wasn't interested in completing one of their challenges and being part of one of their shows. Please don't think that I haven't learned as part of the process. I learned a lot through making them. But I also learned that I have a long way to go and a lot of work ahead of me if I'm to ever find a place in the quilt/fiber art world.

So what does my drugged brain have in store for today? These drugs give rise to the most bizarre dreams. I have three visions in my head for pieces, and hope to be able to get them on paper over the course of the day.

Expensive drugs

Yep, I'm broke! And this is after Blue Cross covered a hunk of the cost. Don't develop any chronic illnesses--you can't afford it. Managed to take it easy yesterday. But it meant a trip to the library , after having gone there Friday afternoon. Today it's cold again with high wind chill levels, so we're staying home. I don't have to go out again until Thursday, and probably won't. It's hard to see how neglected the house work has been and not want to wade in and do it, but I have to be strong and make sure that the next douple of days are just a lazy as the last couple have been.

Marginally better.

It looks like this may be a long trip back to normal. Creatively, I'm in a funny spot. Having finished both Baby Hoard Dragon and Bike Dump/Chaos Theory, I'm in a position to start something new--but haven't a clue what. There are things on my "To Do" list, such as more prep work for the classes I'm teaching next May, and even a proposal to teach in May of 2011. For some reason the proposal for 2011 interests me more than the actual classes that are scheduled. Last evening, in full knowledge that I was in no shape to actually work on anything, I went through the stock I have for the upcoming sale. I think I have lots. I'll need to do a little work on my booth, and I have a entry form for another sale to prepare. I can put one or two pieces in a gallery show in June, but have no piece to send--that just might be a priority right now.

Anyway, today I need to take those first steps back into the world. Grocery shopping to do and maybe even pick up some prescriptions. Then I'll be broke.

Light at the end of the tunnel

Today looks fractionally better. Another rough night but I still managed to get some sleep, and I'm feeling a little better. The trick now is to take it easy today and not push myself. My tendancy is to try to catch up with all of the housework etc that I neglected while I was sick. DH called DD yesterday and cancelled our family dinner tonight, so I don't have to worry about that. But there are dishes to do and shopping to do and laundry (not a lot). We haven't had a decent meal since Tuesday so it might be nice to actually cook something. Well, just thinking about it has worn me out. I think I'll go read the paper.

I am sick

This is not good. I think last night was one of the worst I've had in years. Obviously, I own't be going to the afternoon session at MAWA today. I had really wanted to get there, but I'm not even sure I'll be getting dressed. I don't even want to eat. Those that know me know that this means I'm really sick. lol

No trip

The roads are just too bad and we've decided to re-schedule the trip. I'm just as happy staying home and nursing this cold. I took lots of medication last night, and was in bed before 10:00, but I still feel out of it this morning. So a quiet day at home, although DH has already decided that we need to do laundry. He will be going out later to drive our son to the airport. DS has planned a trip to Las Vegas to celebrate his 40th birthday. He and his SO will be flying stand-by, and last night discoverd that there were lots of seats available on the flight, but only in Executive class. This means that they will have to dress as executives. Too bad-so sad.

I've been playing with fabric paper, making bookmarks and journal covers. Only I found that I didn't have enough journals, so went shopping. The ones I had, I bought at Superstore in September, when the back to school sales were on. No books there, or Walmart or the office supply stores. ( Well, there were books but priced between $12.00 and $20.00) DH suggest the dollar store,and there they were. We also bought a bag of chocolate eggs, not because of the quality of the chocolate, but because of the very pretty foil they were wrapped in. Perfect for my fabric paper. So I have lots to play with today, should I work up the ambition to actually go into the studio.

I was afraid of that!

My lack of sleep etc has resulted in a cold. It's been getting steadily worse over the course of the day, and I've ended up spending almost two hours in bed this afternoon. I have to go out for a bit tonight, and then have a day trip to Gimli scheduled for tomorrow. Thank Goodness, a friend is driving. The workshop I've been arranging has run into problems with the accomodation. Finally this morning the hotel admitted that they screwed up, and they managed to find us a suitable room in another hotel. So now I have to contact everyone who signed up and let them know that the class is now on the other side of town. Looks like fun!

Car Repairs

Looks like an expensive repair. The entire air bag/horn sytem has to be replaced. But wait--ah yes,--we have an extended warrantee. My decision to buy the best warrantee Chrysler Canada has is now vindicated--for the second time. It means that we'll have to be without the car for a couple of days, once the parts come in, but that might not be until next week. In any case the extended warrantee (Yes!!) covers a loaner car, all we have to pay is the extra insurance.

I've been spending so much time in the studio that some of the business of daily life has been neglected. I've lost track of some paper work and will have to get busy finding it. I have a real fear that it's been shredded. Got my stuff back from the local gallery. Nothing sold. Other than that, I can barely remember what I did yesterday. Made some book marks, I think.

Good day, bad night

Yesterday was my monthly Ravenesque meeting. The ladies came here and we chatted and stitched, and suddenly it was going up 10:00!! These meetings usually end by about 9:00, but I guess we were having fun. I got all of the hand stitching done on Bike Dump/Chaos Theory. Now I just have to clean up a couple of frayed edges, and it's ready for whatever the future holds.

I was so jazzed up by the meeting that it was midnight before I got to bed. For some reason I was awake shortly after2:oo, and just couldn't seem to get back to sleep. Then, at aobut 2:45 our car alarm went off. We couldn't get it to shut off, but after a few minutes, it shut itself off. And it's been doing this off and on ever since. So now it's shortly after 6:00 and we're both up. I feel almost sick with fatigue, but I know there is no way I can get to sleep again. The car dealership/repair shop doesn't open until 7:00, and you have to believe that DH will be on the phone with them at about 7:01! It's likely that we'll be without a car for a few days, and I have something on every day this week, including a trip to Gimli on Friday.

A good day

I got a fair bit done. I now have 7 pieces of silk paper and four more pieces of fabric paper. Some of the fabric paper will be made into book marks, and some into journal covers. The journal covers will involve a bit of work, both by hand and machine. I'm not sure where I'm going with the silk paper. I was thinking of adding some hand stitching and then mounting and matting them, but I think the whole project needs more thought. Part ofthe secret in making silk paper is in getting the silk fibers wet enough before adding the adhesive that holds the whole thing together. There are a couple of places where this hasn't happened, so I'm now wondering if that piece of silk paper is at all useable. The final look that people seem to like is one with wispy edges, but this is very hard to achieve. the best pieces I got are those where I went into the mix after adding the water and adhesive and manipulated the edges to create more of a firm edge. Those two pieces came out very well. So obviously I need to work on my technique. I have lots of coloured silk, but I'm getting low on the ecru Bombyx silk that works so very well as a background for hand embroidery. During the evening I stuffed the last two cushions I have. She will be in town around the middle of the month, but I had wanted to get them off my plate so that I can get to work on other things. Today, other than cleaning up for the ladies this evening, I want to process the journal covers I have. I'm, toying with the idea of trying finishing one of them with gel medium, just to see if the cover stand up a bit better. I used it on the last batch of bookmarks I made, and I'm pleased with the result there, but it does change the overall look. If I want these to look hand made and somewhat primitive, this isn't the way to go, but they are somewhat fragile in their present state.

This morning I see the doctor. He called me into "discuss the results of my blood work". Scarey.

Today's the Day

finally a studio day to use as I please. No family for dinner, so the day's mine. But now it looks like my art quilting group may be coming here tomorrow evening for our monthly meeting. So once the studio work is done, I'll have to clean up. The lecture I went to yesterday was by a "performance artist". I've often heard the term, but never thought about it. What a fascinating woman! The concept takes the idea that art involves a dialogue between the artist and the viewer. In more traditional art this is a very passive dialogue where the artist puts out some sort of visual representation and the viewer sees it, ( or not)and interprets it in any way they choose. In performance art, the artist actually provides some sort of stimulus to the viewer, and then actively accepts the viewers response. This is my interpetation of the process. There was no information provided on the process, but rather she described some of her art and how she achieved it and how she interpreted the viewers responses. Very, very interesting. I had hemmmed and hawwwed about going but it was well worth the time.