Posts

Cleaning Out the Library

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A Section! Cleaning out my book library is taking quite a bit of time since I have to hold the book, open it, think about when and why I bought it. My books are friends!  I have to decide to keep the book or share it with someone else.  I tend to group my books by subjects and my changing interests are pretty obvious.   In 2002, I was deciding if I wanted to be a woodworker.  My late husband had all the tools and many books about woodworking.  I made wood sculptures in college and loved the touch of wood.  I took an apprenticeship for a few months and what I found was that I love wood.  I love using hand tools but the resin in the wood played havoc with my sinus and lungs.  I kept the tools and Peter loves using them.  I kept the books until I was ready to let someone else use them and now I’m selling them on Amazon. Weaving is another section in my library.  I’ve taken tapestry weaving classes, Navajo weaving classes and pattern weaving classes.  I’ve washed and carded

Starting The New Year!

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I’m starting off the New Year with a new knee!   There is not a good time to have a total knee replacement so I opted for a winter recovery!  Here are a few things I've learned during the process: Hospital gowns in the operating room can be warm!  It had been a long time since I was in surgery and I have to tell you that the warm air (temp controlled) hospital gowns are wonderful.  http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/IPD-NA/3M-Infection-Prevention/products/catalog/~/Infection-Prevention-Products/Forced-Air-Warming-Gowns?N=7570551&rt=c3 After surgery, I had a reaction to a medicine and threw up.  That’s not so uncommon, I know, but the long plastic pocket they gave me to use was so much better that a pan!  Especially in the physical therapy room!  http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/IPD-NA/3M-Infection-Prevention/products/catalog/~/Infection-Prevention-Products/Forced-Air-Warming-Gowns?N=7570551&rt=c3 There are several different exercises for

Organic Forms

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Organic seems to be the rage right now. I've always loved the forms of nature and  when I saw the pictures of  Eugena Topinas openwork forms, I knew I had to have her tutorial. https://www.etsy.com/listing/199228011/polymer-clay-tutorial-openwork-pendants?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=openwork+polymer+clay+tutorial&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery    I was not disappointed as I read “Polymer Clay Tutorial Openwork Pendants: Under a Microscope”.   The tutorial is detailed. clearly written with good illustrations but as with many things, one has to try it to really understand or believe it.  Using polymer clay and the supplies listed in the tutorial, I went to work following the directions.  openwork before dissolution Everything went well until the part where you have to put the form into water to dissolve the part that creates the open work.  I had pans of water all over the kitchen for days before I had dissolution!