tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69337871056737335162024-03-18T14:23:20.241-04:00The Hard WayLindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-6849028168367713632024-03-16T19:26:00.006-04:002024-03-18T03:09:04.407-04:00Transferring Large Designs Without a Projector<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNERlm8OSD6B3Fsp1evjceQ0PgD2Np8xh2Tz9dwUyBuQplA8CveT6J1asFFscdymAFJ-XUvLZxZ4OPD-5p-BIm1lIRQEcgwMPpIGPmnnyymYVt8kRWZpzTJJqF87UETPOUhyphenhyphenIik3uHvcf-7f0fnH7oTtF3_CUYifAJsx7FLw-pzjDE2P-GoPD9z5RznMo/s917/marimekko%20full.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="917" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNERlm8OSD6B3Fsp1evjceQ0PgD2Np8xh2Tz9dwUyBuQplA8CveT6J1asFFscdymAFJ-XUvLZxZ4OPD-5p-BIm1lIRQEcgwMPpIGPmnnyymYVt8kRWZpzTJJqF87UETPOUhyphenhyphenIik3uHvcf-7f0fnH7oTtF3_CUYifAJsx7FLw-pzjDE2P-GoPD9z5RznMo/w200-h114/marimekko%20full.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost convenient, the auto-<br />resizing by my video<br />editing software!</td></tr></tbody></table>If you're looking for an answer, keep moving, because I haven't figured this out. First, I tried casting my screen to my television, but I cannot use my Chromecast because it's a long story. At first, as a work-around, I thought I'd load my image to YouTube and then find it on YouTubeTV. Except that putting an image into a movie means the screen puts the entire image into the frame, and I want the whole frame taken up. When I do that, it's too big and now I need to do math to figure out what percent my canvas makes up of the whole screen and reduce the size by that percent. Not tempting.<p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOF4Vmxpe7fieX_KANZ8GlsBgJLtQV6tPsva25MMeQxVrYYKYgBDMxzd-wvn7etNHrmseNnOyFzQjl0nJ_BpnfmBv1hhbCb81Sp6iA-AM3QMJ0wU18UAhRzpY0dwt34Y88tgr29Dp4ntWTC_MQ08w0zXv8fKxNb7j8I5L6PwMfNJiwUBm5pKQEfYgjC0/s4080/20240315_131003.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOF4Vmxpe7fieX_KANZ8GlsBgJLtQV6tPsva25MMeQxVrYYKYgBDMxzd-wvn7etNHrmseNnOyFzQjl0nJ_BpnfmBv1hhbCb81Sp6iA-AM3QMJ0wU18UAhRzpY0dwt34Y88tgr29Dp4ntWTC_MQ08w0zXv8fKxNb7j8I5L6PwMfNJiwUBm5pKQEfYgjC0/w240-h320/20240315_131003.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage wool precut yarn in yellow <br />on a 5 gauge canvas. The knots<br />are on top of each other and it is<br />nearly impossible to pull this<br />thickness of yarn through</td></tr></tbody></table>Backup number two would be to transfer the design to paper using the computer, and then use the paper to copy it to the canvas. This would save my television screen from being covered in Sharpie. I do have a cable to directly connect an image to the tv screen. Should I try that? And, as a last, last resort, I guess the old grid-to-grid square copying will need to happen. I used to use this technique when teaching scale factor as an extra credit project. I made the assignment such that the students could choose the image that was used. I have never seen so many scale drawings of Mario from Donkey Kong. In any case...<p></p><p>After testing my yarn and lengths, I can report the following: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The precut yarn is too thick - if I use the bigger $8 hook, it rips the canvas, and forget about the little hooks: this yarn is just too thick.</li><li>The Hobbii yarn is perfect for the smaller hook size and the canvas, but this leaves some canvas showing. Also, this yarn is holding its ply the best, but that may be because it came through the canvas most easily.</li><li>The Cascade 220 yarn is not as easy as the Hobbii, but is a nice balance of slightly fuller yarn that is only slightly more difficult to pull through and coverage. </li></ul><div>So, in the end, I am glad I went with uncut yarn and the smaller hook for the 5 gauge canvas. It seems like precut yarn is designed for the more common 3.5 gauge, and the Susan Bates latch hook commonly found in craft stores does not work on the smaller 5 holes. It tears the 5 gauge canvas apart, her hooks do, so watch out! Not sufficient information on their packaging! Now I'm stuck with an $8 hook I can't use, and free precut yarn to go with it; a mix of yellows and materials. </div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3v2AJfGdXt1qZDoi73LZvbHzZ07qcmZqXbWbWWXNqKVmM9_eB0hJeTJCvOb_FKOr8dP3q2FNKTdU0MI24bK7sRPShg5ES8yWfvhtxQSuCr_ZfheXWu3nXfBKLsGN9pmBXlPv6ZW97HT_aDozZ_iZ9lH2uIZ8KoAfefhnsaHSDRc5nUTxLNVgctJKYxg/s4080/20240315_131045.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3v2AJfGdXt1qZDoi73LZvbHzZ07qcmZqXbWbWWXNqKVmM9_eB0hJeTJCvOb_FKOr8dP3q2FNKTdU0MI24bK7sRPShg5ES8yWfvhtxQSuCr_ZfheXWu3nXfBKLsGN9pmBXlPv6ZW97HT_aDozZ_iZ9lH2uIZ8KoAfefhnsaHSDRc5nUTxLNVgctJKYxg/w200-h150/20240315_131045.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The white in this picture is the two different brands of continuous yarn that I bought, on the left in the back is the Cascade 220, and in the front, the less plush Hobbii yarn. As you can see from the picture, the Hobbii yarn is holding up the best, but compared to the Cascade product, and the two yarns being of comparable price, I'd go with Cascade completely if the colors I wanted were a better match. So, now I get to hope that the difference between the two brands I will be using for my rug are not completely different thicknesses. As if I needed any more incentive to trip!<p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhXWeETlZMv_A6pkk84raiGB7IA8vZHt_hCcLJv0otcNvIv0PhKqZBg0sYn4KxlUG6mshJtJHSulJCkScBH8TkfPHY2mDbpjaESFxx0WTXVc7nWjgrms8m0ghzAYWimfh5h1EwPM32fC-Rl66D-Hnu-a_5iIBbXMEc9g6dqATsSSBHb4joPgRYRaIYkk/s4080/20240316_190828.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhXWeETlZMv_A6pkk84raiGB7IA8vZHt_hCcLJv0otcNvIv0PhKqZBg0sYn4KxlUG6mshJtJHSulJCkScBH8TkfPHY2mDbpjaESFxx0WTXVc7nWjgrms8m0ghzAYWimfh5h1EwPM32fC-Rl66D-Hnu-a_5iIBbXMEc9g6dqATsSSBHb4joPgRYRaIYkk/w150-h200/20240316_190828.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>And, as for the transfer, I ended up scaling the image and copying it to chart paper. I also decided to switch the canvas from Dimensions, which was breaking, to Color Crazy's better quality item, because I don't want to hook 54,000 bits and then find out that the base is crumbling. So my price will go up, but long term, this is worth the extra $30. Until it gets here, I get to wrap and cut, wrap and cut. Good times!<br /></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-87134848194079118662024-03-15T11:18:00.006-04:002024-03-15T12:56:19.962-04:00The Holdovers - The Perfect Film<p>Up until now, I reviewed one movie,<i> Inside Out</i>, which is perfect, and one most unlikely franchise, the "Before" triology. And here is another film made just for me: <i>The Holdovers</i>. If you don't like this film, then you should turn in your humanity card because you're a droid. It is lovely.</p><p>What can I say? Da'Vine Joy Randolf won the award, yes, and even if they rolled the credits after her introductory eyeroll, she deserved it. That eyeroll said the whole story AND I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out the story! Oh, this movie will punch you, leave you for dead, and it will make you laugh alone like a crazy person. Which is part of the story, but I don't want to give it away.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgeMajmiIMRDtAbWwP1EDbN4yHFCINSss7SF8mej4c4oMeBumMDEidQIw-DSfESHEh5HFFL-CTrSzxrwvHL9HMp-ZXJFDRmxyp9OzKnpLFRfc43n53Oion8YQKgzgBEte6ocMPy-xjlQPV5VUiqNLx_MsYk5kVEcFGpRklSM1fstKJhe7O8-4jbbixB0/s309/download%20(1).jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="309" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgeMajmiIMRDtAbWwP1EDbN4yHFCINSss7SF8mej4c4oMeBumMDEidQIw-DSfESHEh5HFFL-CTrSzxrwvHL9HMp-ZXJFDRmxyp9OzKnpLFRfc43n53Oion8YQKgzgBEte6ocMPy-xjlQPV5VUiqNLx_MsYk5kVEcFGpRklSM1fstKJhe7O8-4jbbixB0/s1600/download%20(1).jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skinny boys with hidey hair are not new.</td></tr></tbody></table>No, this movie is a discovery and I would never take that from someone. See it. Now. Paul Giamatti is a national treasure and just when you think he couldn't make you fall for him more, he goes and makes you fall for him more. Did you feel that kiss his coworker gave her boyfriend? But...I thought...wasn't she?...didn't they?... And, the eye! He is pitiful and raw and sad and full of wasted potential, his character, and if that sounds just like Miles in Sideways, it's because it's exactly like Miles in Sideways. He is such a prickly asshole, and then you find out why. It is heartbreaking. He even drinks his best bottle of booze at rock bottom, and it is again breath-takingly beautiful when he spits it out. Thank you, Paul!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzKoBEJOmHeuV7Kep-HiMONDs-zajxft8eR-jAIfs0fr-QxWFQ3QsmJAUikeYfdCPizTRxQ41gGd_sx_q3e2rA2H3z8yj60CLahUee1EJ7MmkI52job_jj4Xj4NirC_B01wWGFW4u6SmUZW2F9FhTJdaYDPonvqTRr9YHele-s3gAYCX0oo5enW5fQEI/s300/download.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzKoBEJOmHeuV7Kep-HiMONDs-zajxft8eR-jAIfs0fr-QxWFQ3QsmJAUikeYfdCPizTRxQ41gGd_sx_q3e2rA2H3z8yj60CLahUee1EJ7MmkI52job_jj4Xj4NirC_B01wWGFW4u6SmUZW2F9FhTJdaYDPonvqTRr9YHele-s3gAYCX0oo5enW5fQEI/s1600/download.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every teacher's nightmare: losing control</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>And, I feel like I'm giving an acceptance speech of my own, thanks to the director, Alexander Payne. I'm not an actor and I need to work with him! The boy in this film was a first-time actor, so there's hope! </p><p>So now let me tell you about the film - not! I will tell you how applicable it is to me and my life, because, it's all about me here. So, it is set in December 1970-January 1971 in a snowy New England prep school over Christmas break. A tumultuous time, for certain, and it's the time and place where I came into awareness. I was born in, gasp!, 1968, before the moon landing which is referenced in the film. It also shows Mary, the recently widowed black mother whose son died in Vietnam, watching the average television program full of white people. <i>The Jeffersons</i> and <i>Good Times</i> are still in the future here. There is obviously still a hierarchy, and this movie explores in part the inequity of our culture. In some ways it has changed and frustratingly it has not changed in far too many others. And, yes, three oddball leftovers with fraught lives form an unlikely alliance and see each other as people, just like themselves, and that is tired territory, or is it universal? It doesn't matter, because this is art, and even if one million people sing the same tune or paint the same picture, the results will always be unique, just like us.</p><p>Looking back on my life, I feel it is these very differences and misunderstandings that keep us from knowing that underneath, all those individuals feel exactly the same as we do. As a former teacher in Queens, NY, in a time of great migration, it was pandemonium, yes. Absolute and utter chaos. So is our world. Embrace it and stop silo-ing yourself with only like-minded folk. Society is crumbling, yes, but the world's always been on fire, and I guess the good news is the poor and disenfranchised are no longer paying for the sins of the rich by getting shot in a jungle or putrid trench. There will be suffering, and perhaps if we all shouldered the burden equally it would be a bit more tolerable. We are truly in this together; why compound the problem? Life is like a henhouse ladder, afterall...<br /><br /></p><p><br /></p>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-69006111921798329872024-03-11T02:08:00.008-04:002024-03-18T14:22:49.379-04:00Breaking Away from Convention<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TYR0-qPzTarb2z2MvRABXATr36FHqvHVEKMrVXG_Y2w6qUru9qzVYHt9F63rXSan6gTL0Nzc6FZB8TnYclm-ZYKgyvXWlJDoaGqybMSl7uKFBTJ4nM3piCpLGcYE5zBQNxssoeBxzGV_pceChUApdJFa1BJyFbUyuPcH1UqD1DTRxd3uo9agXNP_oc0/s507/240_F_375120164_naOjLXE6W96hAy8mx1epmUV2HtpBD3wq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="507" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TYR0-qPzTarb2z2MvRABXATr36FHqvHVEKMrVXG_Y2w6qUru9qzVYHt9F63rXSan6gTL0Nzc6FZB8TnYclm-ZYKgyvXWlJDoaGqybMSl7uKFBTJ4nM3piCpLGcYE5zBQNxssoeBxzGV_pceChUApdJFa1BJyFbUyuPcH1UqD1DTRxd3uo9agXNP_oc0/s320/240_F_375120164_naOjLXE6W96hAy8mx1epmUV2HtpBD3wq.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I was a teacher. Once a teacher, always a teacher. It is impossible to not want to enlighten people once you've developed a taste for it. I spend a great deal of time thinking, and when I'm not thinking, I'm talking. Talking clarifies my thoughts, but so does putting emphasis on reflection.<p></p><p>So much wisdom to impart. So, I documented here on this blog my health scares that resulted in my attention to every moment of every day. Nothing is guaranteed, and I am now on my 3rd major health scare, and, even if it doesn't actually get easier to deal with fear and pain, it is my fear and pain and I am feeling something. That's life. It can be sublimely ecstatic or dreadfully painful, but it's an experience! Feel the wonderful life that is within you; let nothing be lost upon you - Oscar Wilde</p><p>I look to the greats for bits and pieces of my philosophy. I also look to travel to broaden my mind and see things in a way I never would have expected. I cannot plan travel for quite some time due to my health issues, but I can still read the greats, who did travel. Here's some of their unattributed wisdom:</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"></span></p><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Paris slums are a gathering-place for eccentric people - people who have fallen into solitary, half-mad grooves of life and given up trying to be normal or decent. Poverty frees them from ordinary standards of behavior, just as money frees people from work.</li><li><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">And there is another feeling that is a great consolation in poverty. I believe everyone who has been hard up has experienced it. It is a feeling of relief, almost of pleasure, at knowing yourself at last genuinely down and out. You have talked so often of going to the dogs — and well, here are the dogs, and you have reached them, and you can stand it.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">He might be ragged and cold or even starving, but so long as he could read, think and watch for meteors, he was, as he said, free in his own mind.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things can not be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.</span></li></ul></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"></span></p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"></span></p></blockquote><p>This is one of my favorite books, by a famous author, but I bet you can't guess the author. No cheating.</p><p><br />Right now, my convalescence that was a gift from my sister and father is coming to a close. I need to get back to the grind and yesterday, sick or not. I have used this time, amongst other things, to travel back in my mind. It has been one of the best trips I have ever taken. I have an old friend to thank for that: a very, very patient friend who may not have pure intentions but neither do I. I am very lucky. Even not feeling well, I am enjoying myself. And, hey! if this great author can be cold, ragged and starving and yet broad and free, I can do it warm, ragged, and starting to finally fill up. </p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"></span></p><p><br /></p>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-82137692395384709942024-03-11T00:55:00.008-04:002024-03-15T11:21:57.319-04:00My Custom, 3'x5' Wool Rug for Under $150 (excluding slave labor, my own)<div class="separator"></div><div class="separator"></div><p>Well, sometimes doubt and procrastination equals savings. In my deliberations, I found the perfect palette (I am hoping) AND it's cheaper than my two prior options. But, I do have to increase my yarn length 12.5%, to at least 2.25". That makes it 121,500" in total, minimum. So, now we have: </p><ul><li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwEiVggi5Rzh7L0FxILwhQYcZ1JD15VK3uKtRSPZiFeNxnNBaiNRAj0ivYkdsIp92y5wZ6aOi_qH8ENCb5a29jaesV_0ShfU1uncOTth6HO4EPQEpjtMAWrcLWyCjO0uNBNod2zMDPx4DWmSYppGDdXKYWDFJJ9f-7vaS9U1LiLBSsK6MZ1RIipri9TA/s288/palette%20final.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="168" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwEiVggi5Rzh7L0FxILwhQYcZ1JD15VK3uKtRSPZiFeNxnNBaiNRAj0ivYkdsIp92y5wZ6aOi_qH8ENCb5a29jaesV_0ShfU1uncOTth6HO4EPQEpjtMAWrcLWyCjO0uNBNod2zMDPx4DWmSYppGDdXKYWDFJJ9f-7vaS9U1LiLBSsK6MZ1RIipri9TA/w117-h200/palette%20final.png" width="117" /></a>White: 37% = 44,955" or 1248.75 yards = 6 skeins of 220 or 12 of 110</li><li>Kelly: 18% = 21,870" or 607.5 yards = 3 skeins of 220 or 6 of 110</li><li>Chartreuse: 13% = 15,795" or 438.75 yards = 2 skeins of 220</li><li>Marigold: 14% = 17,010" or 472.5 yards = 2 skeins of 220</li><li>Yellow: 14% = 17,010" or 472.5 yards = 2 skeins of 220</li><li>Black: 2% = 2,430" or 67.5 yards = 1 skein of 110</li></ul><div>But! I found more than half of the yarn for $2.50 per 110 yards at <a href="http://Hobbii.com">Hobbii.com</a>. So, I under estimated the white in my excitement and bought only 10 skeins and so I'm under for the white by 148.75 yards. Another $5. The rest are Cascade 220 and Cascade 220 Superwash. All 3 types of yarn that I am using have the same weight and ply. Imagine. Here's the breakdown for yarn:</div><div><br /></div><div>220 Superwash in Sulfur (formerly known as chartreuse): 2 * 11.50 = $23</div><div>220 Superwash in Gold Fusion (formerly marigold): 2 * 11.50 = $23</div><div>220 in Daisy Yellow (formerly yellow): 2 * 11 = $22</div><div><br /></div><div>Free shipping, total: $68. Now for the other 43%:</div><div><br /></div><div>Friends wool in kelly: 6 * 2.50 = $16</div><div>Friends wool in black: 1 * 2.50 = $2.50</div><div>Friends wool in white :10 * 2.50 = $25, but, should have been 12 for $30, oops!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuL8t0jbF4gPrM15uLQpw_hrlT09B0dEu-uFtYKAEKKsaIAV6aQbQrXCFRl4tShxiI4Yq7sDU56SEDA2CGkEuoCJA4re_e6lrwWKkNOcqvsaQvpzbmlJoqTkRBMk9ZQD2R-y6sNsiI2Ifz1yfOjvTPjWn4OqHpFLC8OemqmV3n8_DN_XJSo4C3ehwLy0/s322/marimekko-final%20white.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="246" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuL8t0jbF4gPrM15uLQpw_hrlT09B0dEu-uFtYKAEKKsaIAV6aQbQrXCFRl4tShxiI4Yq7sDU56SEDA2CGkEuoCJA4re_e6lrwWKkNOcqvsaQvpzbmlJoqTkRBMk9ZQD2R-y6sNsiI2Ifz1yfOjvTPjWn4OqHpFLC8OemqmV3n8_DN_XJSo4C3ehwLy0/w153-h200/marimekko-final%20white.png" width="153" /></a>That makes $42.50 in Friends wool, plus $4.99 shipping and $4.21 tax, or $51.40 for 1923.7 yards of wool. Hmmmm...What's the catch? I'll tell you when it arrives.</div><div><br /></div><div>I want to change the image to reflect my more orangey palette. I hope it looks nice, because now I am worried I've gone too John Boehner (Donald Trump for those of you who follow politics "lightly"). What do you think? Can you spot the differences?</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="246" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOACBfdTfWgh8S5yieFbKUDjU3A6XT4JqkpEFvAJsjTS61h_4rJD7cCTIUUID4grfjfDHl939qUYLqbZfA-ERqqNluHvUJE61y4aoGtTnYYl9ug-6JCeZe94UvwcWSzzUKYru7QCE0mW-UqeJJiuVPK8rJm7b3FWoGMEpl7dPKiGCFckYZ9oK2YYLKlM/w153-h200/marimekko-final%20white%20(1).jpg" width="153" /></div>There is no way that I even changed it. I am impressed with myself! The best news is that the white that I didn't buy enough of is a true white, or it looks more so than most wools I've seen. So, this is looking fortuitous as a beginning. Planning definitely helps rather than just jumping in. And testing, because I used my 2" yarn bits and they were too fiddly, so I increased it and all it affected was the white.</div><div><br /></div><div>In any case, optimistic me wants to believe that for the low, low price of $119.00 plus the cost of the hook, $8, I will have myself a custom wool rug? The reason I am not factoring in the canvas is because it was a bit irregular and I am trying to get my money back. Not too shabby for a 3'x5' rug in wool!</div><div><br /></div><div>I did also make some more egregious errors than just not ordering enough white. This was before I started officially planning and just jumped into things. I was ordering pre=cut yarn and it was going to cost me a small fortune for the wool. Most pre-cut wool has two major drawbacks, besides the exorbitant cost of the wool: 1) it is sourced exclusively overseas retail so factor in exchange rates and foreign shipping and 2) it comes in limited colors. So, even if budget was no issue, pre-cut wool is not going to make floor art! Luckily, the buyers that I started buying from, in grossly underestimated amounts, did not bother to check if the packages all came from the same dye lot and they did not and I got my money back on all of it. The only other mistake so far was buying a hook that is too large, and that set me back $8. I eyeballed it and thought I estimated correctly, but the flange was back and when it's folded up, it makes the hook too big to fit through the holes without tearing the canvas. The reason I had to eyeball it is because there were no dimensions on the package. So, now I want my $8 back! Haha! I will get it, too! I will not accept shoddy quality!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now I'm noticing two things about my longer strand computations. First, I am not only short the white, but 220 x 2 < 472.5 yards, so now I need to two white for $5, plus the $4.99 shipping and $0.45 tax, and one more each of expensive Daisy Yellow and Gold Fusion. Two inches is going to have to work with my new hook that I should be getting for free, because we just added $22,50 more onto the total. $22.50 worth of 220 wool + $10.35 in Friends + $119 already spent = $151.85. My pride wants this rug under $150. I will make it work!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-9081438763320151222024-03-06T13:38:00.002-05:002024-03-06T21:16:47.636-05:00Color Mock-Ups for Marimekko Unikko Rug<p>Decisions, decisions. So, now that I sourced my colors, let me rethink the design. So, this is my inspiration art, by Bjorn Wiinblad, and that inspired my bedroom color palette. Now I'm using this as my design, but it's looking a little stark. Here they are together.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgF6Q4hs64UWLWCifZR8msWpdNx1MHgwbxMhMFDt2ns38oduNeYl1dA08TeMiIeaAW-l6tIuiWyHS6JI0El-wYESNfOp2eFSC_PVryBRY2zbAEahJE8j39GPur5TlDDkR-AbCT-V5VMR_ldLtBgKUGgQD6Bg4FesJseLaaajw7LeiLCyd4BQFy16_HO0/s322/marimekko-final%20white.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="322" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgF6Q4hs64UWLWCifZR8msWpdNx1MHgwbxMhMFDt2ns38oduNeYl1dA08TeMiIeaAW-l6tIuiWyHS6JI0El-wYESNfOp2eFSC_PVryBRY2zbAEahJE8j39GPur5TlDDkR-AbCT-V5VMR_ldLtBgKUGgQD6Bg4FesJseLaaajw7LeiLCyd4BQFy16_HO0/w200-h200/marimekko-final%20white.png" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGhhZIHf_6zdkW2KqfuEpn9CaKRJQ-BJB4aaOgSTivu-fQER7pp9h22e9tbnopdPY1IY0vrsQUjnq6X7rPZIPlfGp7DnagrubdWAfdgEOHYaJwAIE14qwi4CuO2wXKSEk0TGOPJBgwv5NN716bQpsizR94HG7rvLB32W5kZLFz2lkboL_eLHveOn_8j8/s736/wiinblad.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="736" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGhhZIHf_6zdkW2KqfuEpn9CaKRJQ-BJB4aaOgSTivu-fQER7pp9h22e9tbnopdPY1IY0vrsQUjnq6X7rPZIPlfGp7DnagrubdWAfdgEOHYaJwAIE14qwi4CuO2wXKSEk0TGOPJBgwv5NN716bQpsizR94HG7rvLB32W5kZLFz2lkboL_eLHveOn_8j8/w200-h200/wiinblad.jpg" width="200" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIW3C83HWYQcjngTLR1cKYTKvr7Cd-uQhDd8PzZkq76CRRxE69DFY7BggzVr6kHcG5bEcLzBsDMqGvKNeCLmvc4hoqhM3mMzdicfTUYeWzYAviIaysF-DH-TZHUhYiu0g9tPuWPCDdinWqMotbPn2ZWoJ3HkqrpEZD_Ufp9lt3CXUJwYaCeosutHT2qk/s736/wiinblad.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckW_xnU7gnd4jJz2__EUxfKcaiCMCWXYfjI4rNUEN0gt7Ukd_ZaxT-mh0V2TVTS-woPO0cbdLChmGKCi2ddSofAnXL7avecRPo1Y1Xe9i_1WayWS3qTurqtWqzvqQqkvCJXvYCt1bi-O0fzLWUfIFgVBxSD4YyxSd6JB2xiXYkZgZGTAWeld3mHewdSE/s322/marimekko%20grey%20blue.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="322" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckW_xnU7gnd4jJz2__EUxfKcaiCMCWXYfjI4rNUEN0gt7Ukd_ZaxT-mh0V2TVTS-woPO0cbdLChmGKCi2ddSofAnXL7avecRPo1Y1Xe9i_1WayWS3qTurqtWqzvqQqkvCJXvYCt1bi-O0fzLWUfIFgVBxSD4YyxSd6JB2xiXYkZgZGTAWeld3mHewdSE/w200-h200/marimekko%20grey%20blue.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now let me show you some others that I don't like. First off, there is the matching background color, but I feel like this adds clouds to very bright flowers. Nothing is bright when it's cloudy, so this is a fail.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9e2eiNtAwuFNObDWY6WOF7CzcXP_Dl8wZhUue7Uq_yokwKSRnnDFr0uHfJv3Be6kqLCygI66sjKu2SUkfKJR1U2d_TtQmBlWwd1rSWcMH8sH_cjD5u0hvxDwcXUpKnoUfnGwmG8xxy1qUQlPX0RIdyMlKl5XsTwi2_tq9qOLga2aovadqC_ic9qH0pU/s322/marimekko-final%20orange.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="322" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9e2eiNtAwuFNObDWY6WOF7CzcXP_Dl8wZhUue7Uq_yokwKSRnnDFr0uHfJv3Be6kqLCygI66sjKu2SUkfKJR1U2d_TtQmBlWwd1rSWcMH8sH_cjD5u0hvxDwcXUpKnoUfnGwmG8xxy1qUQlPX0RIdyMlKl5XsTwi2_tq9qOLga2aovadqC_ic9qH0pU/w200-h200/marimekko-final%20orange.png" width="200" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is worse! What are they in front of, Donald Trump? Jeff Boehner? I think these mockups are getting worse. The color proportions just look off compared to the artwork. As for the pink, it is pretty and could be a pink, cotton candy sunset, but again, no. I think the eye needs the white space to take a break. Also, do I need to complicate the settled palette and throw off all my hard work spent yarn sourcing? No.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwe_gJypyBYYTSnY7X4VdC-1GSCSn1EFvkLw1BgG7K9EYWJeNdYGy0AM-eYGQ_TCVLft76iyjnDfdb7jbVnG81tYllXmg4ItfT1MFZnHMCz_L-wXlpc-cYcLO60OlNOMDbb7QbYt1ua4UMpdYM5CmBVkz5DdWUXlhnLn7WZ2LTW_bJzfog7rKTUW7ejw/s322/marimekko-final%20pink.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="322" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwe_gJypyBYYTSnY7X4VdC-1GSCSn1EFvkLw1BgG7K9EYWJeNdYGy0AM-eYGQ_TCVLft76iyjnDfdb7jbVnG81tYllXmg4ItfT1MFZnHMCz_L-wXlpc-cYcLO60OlNOMDbb7QbYt1ua4UMpdYM5CmBVkz5DdWUXlhnLn7WZ2LTW_bJzfog7rKTUW7ejw/w200-h200/marimekko-final%20pink.png" width="200" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, what I could do is switch out one of the colors for the white, I'm thinking the chartreuse, and that could be the background color? Where do you find chartreuse flowers in nature? However, my wedding flowers were exclusively Stop n Shop chartreuse mums. My colors were chartreuse and all the greens and bronze. My one bridesmaid was given free choice but told green or bronze. She doesn't look good in green and so my bridesmaid wore...brown. Close enough! How many people remember that my bridesmaid was not in the metallic family? My main complaint about her was that she hadn't popped and wasn't as pregnant as the bride (why didn't she invent a time machine?) Okay, off topic.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj613hMguQ62lv6usj6fT-emK0MiQNDDK54rLoHAqVXnv_8Js2WjsUfFA_2-Y3a51BSgfOquJEp-ZBhSMW45MhGhWxw1bHpN4FoguQmNWShiy937hfgMjD5DL9Vxl4uwME1QWT-vceDLk990qlI03bT9HzEOvOJmEfhUA4uicjZT2-_yxBWRN6XVdmKYa4/s322/marimekko%20reversal%20chartreuse.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="322" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj613hMguQ62lv6usj6fT-emK0MiQNDDK54rLoHAqVXnv_8Js2WjsUfFA_2-Y3a51BSgfOquJEp-ZBhSMW45MhGhWxw1bHpN4FoguQmNWShiy937hfgMjD5DL9Vxl4uwME1QWT-vceDLk990qlI03bT9HzEOvOJmEfhUA4uicjZT2-_yxBWRN6XVdmKYa4/w200-h200/marimekko%20reversal%20chartreuse.png" width="200" /></a></div>Before I even write this paragraph about white flowers, do I even want to consider dirty white flowers? No, no I do not. But, let's try it. Okay, I do like this. It is kind of unexpected. And now the jonquil or true yellow looks chartreuse, but it is jonquil! So, two final decisions before I commit to the yarn: white background or white flowers? Now even what I term marigold is looking pretty orange, and there is a minor focus on white or near white (pale pink), echoing the tones of the picture more? It was the chartreuse that set this whole project off, so now I'm wondering, do I lose it altogether and go with the blue-grey background and these 3 distinct flower colors rather than the color family with the white background? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6ow_KIuRCujZSaL8pSBeChas2GSYRQ2KgQtOjf-Ddb26vW_zNuEpZeB8DKhgOsEM4G9MQRRtmyR9sjuqVCbWo3nLkm4GKY3lhXGLbi-jBPofwO3pQ_HM3ziR9PMwJ74fnX_OBrk5DpERp3VmVHCLPANLejEoQoPTtNf6VCEjRIrjFHy4WePQ92otffI/s306/marimekko%20reversal%20grey%20blue.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="305" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6ow_KIuRCujZSaL8pSBeChas2GSYRQ2KgQtOjf-Ddb26vW_zNuEpZeB8DKhgOsEM4G9MQRRtmyR9sjuqVCbWo3nLkm4GKY3lhXGLbi-jBPofwO3pQ_HM3ziR9PMwJ74fnX_OBrk5DpERp3VmVHCLPANLejEoQoPTtNf6VCEjRIrjFHy4WePQ92otffI/w199-h200/marimekko%20reversal%20grey%20blue.png" width="199" /></a></div>Okay, that's a no. So we have 2 versions to decide between. The original, unmessed with vision, or the chartreuse background with white instead of chartreuse flowers. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-10343039826310827512024-03-05T19:38:00.005-05:002024-03-06T04:14:02.674-05:00Finding Yarn for Marimekko Rug<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This is going to be harder than I thought. I found two almost suitable yarns for my project, but the main photo is missing the chartreuse plus it isn't appropriate for rugs, and the second from the top is just peach rather than yellow-orange. So, this is going to be a lot harder than I thought. The greens are too far off on the right middle, from Peace Fleece. But the top-most yarns, from Harrisville Designs, is off for the marigold, but overall I could see the rug in this color combo. It is sold in 200 yard skeins for $17 a skein, and remembering my chart from the Pre-Contemplation post, we have:<p></p><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHagfllmhI_gLwQ5r-cPNnfOWpM5tEjt9o8zc6vhAxXaTRMfvp4__f7qmbJTBgkJxRJn2h1NiWU357qIj4pKmgXIR1SLxA0C5oA750TtX2iXY19M2clTTLeq9C11Eeq63v3tzUTZgNm9L6K2NPV1rqHG7-cnI8oSq0lFA-NAo_DEBpvGUYcRukdqACmdk/s1920/yarn%20tests.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHagfllmhI_gLwQ5r-cPNnfOWpM5tEjt9o8zc6vhAxXaTRMfvp4__f7qmbJTBgkJxRJn2h1NiWU357qIj4pKmgXIR1SLxA0C5oA750TtX2iXY19M2clTTLeq9C11Eeq63v3tzUTZgNm9L6K2NPV1rqHG7-cnI8oSq0lFA-NAo_DEBpvGUYcRukdqACmdk/s320/yarn%20tests.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As much as I'd love to patronize an actual store,<br />this is proving futile.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div><ul><li>White: 37% = 39,960" or 1,110 yards = 6 skeins</li><li>Kelly: 18% = 19,440" or 540 yards = 3 skeins</li><li>Chartreuse: 13% = 14,040" or 390 yards = 2 skeins</li><li>Yellow: 14% = 15,120" or 420 yards = 2 skeins</li><li>Jonquil: 14% = 15,120" or 420 yards = 2 skeins</li><li>Black: 2% = 2,160" or 60 yards = 1 skein</li></ul><div>That makes a grand total of 16 skeins x $17 = $272 in yarn. The good news is this is pure wool. The bad news is they are heathered. I asked for samples, but in the meantime, the search continues. Finally, maybe the best candidate, is on bottom right, which is from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1324733319/wool-rug-yarn-for-punch-needle-rya-rugs?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_b-craft_supplies_and_tools-yarn_and_fiber-yarn&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAiA_5WvBhBAEiwAZtCU7xi_KpG024ZJuorxqM12cEg4WhewFlPyG8VGNY6mZ8-Gs8thSRnB2RoCSwsQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_12560179592_125177338691_506949290533_pla-298168501185_c__1324733319_12768591&utm_custom2=12560179592&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_5WvBhBAEiwAZtCU7xi_KpG024ZJuorxqM12cEg4WhewFlPyG8VGNY6mZ8-Gs8thSRnB2RoCSwsQAvD_BwE">here</a>.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>For continuity's sake, I'd prefer to buy all of my yarns from one maker, but that's looking impossible. For the best colors, but no idea if the weights and plies will match or if it will look sparser in areas of different yarn brands, I would ideally chose the following colors: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOz3iN6pfxilykWLkmHbaUrHXagyvZYF0gTf5QU8yGWa-BiJHen25_1DdhGdzu-aSCfZXrtHISm2xTOzFVUGD00sK_sdVSPUvaakt2LquSJgbbUAtemWGG1aIxBHX8mJWKOuf0h8PjqrRriolh5rQb6Y1R-YCzAe6SFFXfgpl0Fcl53PlurA4PvfdT7rk/s500/3color%20yellow%20green%20kelly.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOz3iN6pfxilykWLkmHbaUrHXagyvZYF0gTf5QU8yGWa-BiJHen25_1DdhGdzu-aSCfZXrtHISm2xTOzFVUGD00sK_sdVSPUvaakt2LquSJgbbUAtemWGG1aIxBHX8mJWKOuf0h8PjqrRriolh5rQb6Y1R-YCzAe6SFFXfgpl0Fcl53PlurA4PvfdT7rk/w200-h200/3color%20yellow%20green%20kelly.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://rugmakersyarn.com/products/vintage-green-100-rug-wool-on-cone-for-tufting">Chartreuse</a>: one cone $29 + shipping</li><li><a href="https://www.yarnhomeshop.com/products/bright-green-wool-yarn-in-cone?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=e6af44327&pr_rec_pid=7067570733232&pr_ref_pid=7067571519664&pr_seq=uniform">Kelly</a>: two cones at €25 + shipping</li><li><a href=" https://rugmakersyarn.com/products/wool-yarn-for-tufting-on-cone-100-1lb?variant=43491194765526">Yellow</a>: one cone $29 + shipping</li><li><a href="https://harrisville.com/products/shetland-cone?variant=42386630181028">Marigold</a>: one cone $26.50 + shipping</li><li>White & black: doesn't matter, but I'd like true white and not sheep colored wool. Whatever is cheapest<br /></li></ul><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiQZr2ECxJtwLqT87bnKzhSjqSKyuMmUN_XgIwKxfKHmFVu2WFY_IKUmLtu40q4oxGFzmiidndE-xVbQuou9Q2VhZB8rZDA4sWpedMV5sKMaR7DEM6Ml9dSLYwi1GYiyBZgQqxzUn_ebfRJ0HfRWIVS9y2QewJwvuRuheFrtxJ78qGzrwaxfYojpfjqs/s736/wiinblad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="736" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiQZr2ECxJtwLqT87bnKzhSjqSKyuMmUN_XgIwKxfKHmFVu2WFY_IKUmLtu40q4oxGFzmiidndE-xVbQuou9Q2VhZB8rZDA4sWpedMV5sKMaR7DEM6Ml9dSLYwi1GYiyBZgQqxzUn_ebfRJ0HfRWIVS9y2QewJwvuRuheFrtxJ78qGzrwaxfYojpfjqs/w200-h200/wiinblad.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How much of a rip-<br />off of this, how much<br />of Marimekko?</td></tr></tbody></table>Comparing my rug mock-up to the art from the room, I'm back to preferring the blue-grey background instead of white. First, white rugs are impractical - but not nearly as impractical as black! I tried that in Tootie Pie's room and I swear I'm going to get a hernia trying to get the tiniest of lint molecules from that thick pile. Second, it will knock you over the head with how tied together my room is! Or should I do pink like the Wiinblad and subtly bring in that neutral? Still decisions and mockups to be made.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, no one does samples, because shipping 4 inches of yarn would be exorbitant, but they do offer a sample card (for a fee, of course). So, there we have a reason to keep brick and mortar stores: color. Also, definitely quality. We've all seen those "What I expected versus what I got" stories. Some of us may have even experienced it. Oooh! Harrisville has 2-ply wool in 450 yard cones and 200 yard skeins. Here's what I need:</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgMzas1e129oibR1kssZlpWUrS3qfo9BgdtDRB0ErOaD-I0YmyBiIqvLxRd7kuK_EHdFDtSUmGCDNPeO_QIaeoUcFI4bxCn2Ob5NY81AtOY-n7pCYe5H5x-wLN-3RDejfBbMz_QJWyRx1nINrNwNBXeDf4LdEeMfBFYJggFc5JZlbK1w_MUXu4viqtNU/s480/palette.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="96" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgMzas1e129oibR1kssZlpWUrS3qfo9BgdtDRB0ErOaD-I0YmyBiIqvLxRd7kuK_EHdFDtSUmGCDNPeO_QIaeoUcFI4bxCn2Ob5NY81AtOY-n7pCYe5H5x-wLN-3RDejfBbMz_QJWyRx1nINrNwNBXeDf4LdEeMfBFYJggFc5JZlbK1w_MUXu4viqtNU/s320/palette.png" width="64" /></a></div><ul><li>White: 37% = 39,960" or 1,110 yards = 3 cones </li><li>Kelly: 18% = 19,440" or 540 yards = 1 cones, 1 skein</li><li>Chartreuse: 13% = 14,040" or 390 yards = 1 cone</li><li>Marigold: 14% = 15,120" or 420 yards = 1 cone</li><li>Yellow: 14% = 15,120" or 420 yards = 1 cone</li><li>Black: 2% = 2,160" or 60 yards = 1 skein</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;">$26.50 * 7 = $185.50 plus $34 and free shipping, equals $219.50! Somehow the website computes it wrong: $217.50. Okay! Math does come in handy! Here are my colors to the right:</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For comparison, this project will require me to make 54,000 loops. My Lucy project was 20"x27" and I assume it was 3.5 squares per inch, took just 6,125 loops, and that was pre-cut acrylic yarn. I will be having to cut mine, and wool will absorb oils from skin, so dryness should get worse. As it is, you can simply peel my skin off in thick sheets, despite regular cuticle trims and pumicing. What can I say, my skin really does its thing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>This is the end of my excitement. Now, the tedium begins. Also, figuring out how to transfer the design to the canvas. My projector days are over, sadly. Hmmm...maybe that's the teaching career calling me back for one...last...go. Surely I know a place with a screen larger than 3x5... My already too big for my space telly is 3'x2' approximately. Do it in bits? Remains to be solved. Keeping busy! Now, let's really get some carpal tunnel!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-35901075741899564972024-03-04T18:36:00.000-05:002024-03-04T18:36:14.243-05:00Home is Mom<p>For my 50th birthday, I went back home. Home, to me, had always been Rhode Island. I promised my mother, during this trip, that, "when this divorce finally happens, we will celebrate on Block Island". </p><p>That was five and a half years ago. Two years ago, she got sick, and a year and a half ago she died.</p><p>We never made it to Rhode Island. That breaks my heart.</p><p>I went back last year to my village in RI, for the first time in 45 years, one year exactly after she passed. It isn't fair. I am still not divorced. That, too, was scheduled for 4 years ago, so 5 years ago, it seemed entirely likely that we would get to take that trip back home together. I had to do it alone, but she was with me. OH! How I wish she could share in my joy in a tangible way! I want her ashes to go to our local swimming hole, where I learned to swim and my sister outsmarted the instructor and didn't learn! She ran to shore to grab the wet sand rather than go under to retrieve it and no one was the wiser. Except Mom, who pointed it out to me. It was funny and I will never forget it. She would call me over often to share in the adorableness of my youngest sister, and I thank her for this. I felt maternal looking at my poor, left behind sister who would pretend to read magazines but upside-down, or make up sad, nay, pitiful songs about being the youngest. Otherwise, I'd always probably just see her as a peer, but I dutifully admired her angel wings and dark (for us) skin like a mother would.</p><p>Little sister just came for another Linda emergency (there are many) and is now my confidant. And I love her and marvel at her ability to juggle her life and mine, but she is not a replacement for Jean. My father, forget it! She is smiling, though, Mom is. Because something wonderful is going to happen!</p><p>Working in my medium, confusion and misunderstandings, I managed to put together a mini-reunion of my elementary school friends. Personally, my life has been painful and, I know no one reads this, not even worth maintaining at times. My life is on the edge. I really miss Jean...</p><p>But this reunion, and I don't want to put to many expectations on it, is giving me a reason to go on. I knew in my heart for years that I over-romanticized my RI childhood, but now that I've gone back again, I don't think I did!! It truly was special and magical and amazing. But, my real home is now in my heart, where Jean lives. I miss talking with her, but she is inside of me, and we talk all the time. Home is where the heart is, and mine is with her. Love you, Mom...</p>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-18116407799154549222024-02-21T22:02:00.012-05:002024-03-02T21:38:16.249-05:00Back to Milk Jugs - Tord Boontje Dup Bouquet Garland Light<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqnVpRL1B_aLXCbvRdEfpxoy1zhAelBxkWKaCPLWwpNZ3zRU2PZu125Jk0t7qmTIG_fkmH16t_ZrHwkavIOq4pKcrN9gs9zON7DLXu6BWTA4IbrinHJINer7fpFOdjkGD30QNw3rIxQlZ9yX9SZCqgwbfzU9wLJyW8bzqj2oog5BCgVc-6qZHo4DATPg/s4080/20240302_195837.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqnVpRL1B_aLXCbvRdEfpxoy1zhAelBxkWKaCPLWwpNZ3zRU2PZu125Jk0t7qmTIG_fkmH16t_ZrHwkavIOq4pKcrN9gs9zON7DLXu6BWTA4IbrinHJINer7fpFOdjkGD30QNw3rIxQlZ9yX9SZCqgwbfzU9wLJyW8bzqj2oog5BCgVc-6qZHo4DATPg/s320/20240302_195837.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I ripped off the design completely.<br />If you have 100 hours to cut one out by<br />hand, more power to you!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I really messed up my linen pendant lamp. The finial, which was attached using hot glue, fell off, necessitating an entire pull down to address. During its time away from the ceiling, I got carried away with the doodadding and it is tragic. No photos of the devastation will be shared, but suffice it to say that the clean lines had left the building.<p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlEqdZhBwjxgVAVtFHBPPUr2WXs4S1I2iPhUNIixPNbWvySyvd1M13jKD9L9-uF4AUd6OjSLfFdtqAwfjOzW_NdAhwvg0J-TVmClWP74k_tfzJZAsl7kNRiyVe2OIgB3SewQ9f7I8t6zfiXxZCIyXcPjq85rVFvMFZQbbFBOfc1uTXp3DoIIsMUUJtms/s785/2a85ad9503671730c69c876943bedb8a.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="564" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlEqdZhBwjxgVAVtFHBPPUr2WXs4S1I2iPhUNIixPNbWvySyvd1M13jKD9L9-uF4AUd6OjSLfFdtqAwfjOzW_NdAhwvg0J-TVmClWP74k_tfzJZAsl7kNRiyVe2OIgB3SewQ9f7I8t6zfiXxZCIyXcPjq85rVFvMFZQbbFBOfc1uTXp3DoIIsMUUJtms/w144-h200/2a85ad9503671730c69c876943bedb8a.jpg" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inspiration</td></tr></tbody></table>The Midsummer Lamp, by Tord Boontje, has always been coveted by moi. Personally, I like the chrome version, but the paper one was lovelier, somehow. Well, I never forget a lamp, and during my research I found this:<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO85XCzPGj8mu7NltCP_Szl9uwy16ksxosn0Ymp-A02juo2shB4EeIjUSOHq6vFIt9E8O-v6z-hFXWYzRnKCeRq4gwoQ4HM0Vsd1d5IMcTXfpDBH6a7vi9YKf7IOM21xuxo0llWJVjWPJD5uN1TjS35R_UThYXfCegqvjwprPZErejVxFuX6djVOxj5Rc/s988/STB_Bouquet_elements.jpg.2400x2400_q90_lazy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="988" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO85XCzPGj8mu7NltCP_Szl9uwy16ksxosn0Ymp-A02juo2shB4EeIjUSOHq6vFIt9E8O-v6z-hFXWYzRnKCeRq4gwoQ4HM0Vsd1d5IMcTXfpDBH6a7vi9YKf7IOM21xuxo0llWJVjWPJD5uN1TjS35R_UThYXfCegqvjwprPZErejVxFuX6djVOxj5Rc/w200-h113/STB_Bouquet_elements.jpg.2400x2400_q90_lazy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This could be a painting, <br />but, no, it's a lamp!</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />And everything changed. My calcium intake is probably reaching unhealthy levels now. I need milk jugs! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqxc6Sk2ujPx_CE4n4D_164AZBfr9V2SH33oiEZjikHwGjb-zFu6dDf-kx4JM8IvoYzT0Pz297UbvROEjs9xZoy-Bp96UBBcDlokbpMe3mhsH1x0lXOWM1WmL654XYprRBOAUC478vCHV2iDD9NHWBRWNzvrYm_A9uZDKAV2jgHJ29HVbruDd7wci7hw/s1920/thumbnail_20240218_193443.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqxc6Sk2ujPx_CE4n4D_164AZBfr9V2SH33oiEZjikHwGjb-zFu6dDf-kx4JM8IvoYzT0Pz297UbvROEjs9xZoy-Bp96UBBcDlokbpMe3mhsH1x0lXOWM1WmL654XYprRBOAUC478vCHV2iDD9NHWBRWNzvrYm_A9uZDKAV2jgHJ29HVbruDd7wci7hw/w150-h200/thumbnail_20240218_193443.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It does get easier and <br />faster, but this took forever</td></tr></tbody></table>Depending on what parts of the container I have left determines the length of the stem, so the set of 3 leaves is on a GMO stem, and the fig leaf's stem was severely reduced. But, all in all, I like my modifications. I even added my own branchy thing at 1 o'clock in the photo, and there will be other additions. I am underwhelmed at my daisies and one of the flowers needed its stem to grow at a Chernobyl angle because someone got carried away with the flower and forgot. The lilies of the valley are daunting and may not be attempted. But, imperfections is what make this OOAK, and the price is FREE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The possibilities that this opens up is endless. Between the Marimekko rug dup and cutting out Boontje inspired florals is filling my days and fueling my creativity.</div><div><br /></div>When I drink up the milk backlog, I will be making more. I seem to be able to get 5 from a half gallon container, so we'll be increasing in multiples of five. I also like using the bent part from the spout to make the attaching circles, because this makes them splay out more. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQht9iEwLQ_W8YV_uFi9l_F6hwNXjzsbWc2c859dR9NgYIQsIiyfTUPjNxyEHumiTlVX9IFH2LUjizF0fhZFxjChLRnWkxEK-3qXgo_J0Y2MHIiGWSpySJ6uCtilLAinVpbFiq-t5c8IpQ5lp9C3RXcfMw7FGpNi2O7-0c25mdCMrVyxuHMoXos9jLYkE/s4080/20240227_184640.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQht9iEwLQ_W8YV_uFi9l_F6hwNXjzsbWc2c859dR9NgYIQsIiyfTUPjNxyEHumiTlVX9IFH2LUjizF0fhZFxjChLRnWkxEK-3qXgo_J0Y2MHIiGWSpySJ6uCtilLAinVpbFiq-t5c8IpQ5lp9C3RXcfMw7FGpNi2O7-0c25mdCMrVyxuHMoXos9jLYkE/w150-h200/20240227_184640.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A week's worth of tracing and cutting,<br />cutting, cutting. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Update! I found 2 large water dispensers that created some longer garlands. I made nine more in 6 days, upping the count from 14 to 23. Well, that hardly seems sustainable. My poor fingers need another project for a bit, and I have just the one! Let's see how it looks hanging now.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here it is. So wonderful, I'm in love! I had a selection of incandescent bulbs that will last throughout my lifetime, so I worry about the plastic melting, so I might look into one of those light cages that contractors use to not start fires. In the meantime, this should encourage Tootie Pie to not leave EVERY light on in the house.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHDSh9Wh6EzDAsefIgiBj_iDwYufPQU9T-m9GYQB0Gg6W8iVB3JDg1ov2nSjijBdcu9JDG1Z3Nsgvd3OuNxyNY90s_ZVFiBW7qsxhXCsZ45028hD6RKxU5fLiwF9zQxv4h8KNSIlhpAzQxDVILyLpDaOxmUZ4-QWqEwSw69IhLUFpBswLOtlsXiz6BsE/s4080/20240302_195857.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHDSh9Wh6EzDAsefIgiBj_iDwYufPQU9T-m9GYQB0Gg6W8iVB3JDg1ov2nSjijBdcu9JDG1Z3Nsgvd3OuNxyNY90s_ZVFiBW7qsxhXCsZ45028hD6RKxU5fLiwF9zQxv4h8KNSIlhpAzQxDVILyLpDaOxmUZ4-QWqEwSw69IhLUFpBswLOtlsXiz6BsE/s320/20240302_195857.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was worried about the fullness, but <br />varying the sizes of the branch lengths<br />results in nice bushiness.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-15826284201760298132024-02-18T19:19:00.007-05:002024-02-18T19:19:59.812-05:00Pelmet and Macrame Window Treatment Tutorials<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyr__8J-ghBORNRtmoUpLAW1KqwZl_mUCoaMdJvES2Lz0O3bbUIvKlXJXB2RXwP_HssfLgFFWaB5cjZjRv2qX8yrN96aogQRFhSBxXnRV7PrA1bbTr89eCyms3JL3AQOv2qzJ3UzBzHmzza-QyS6mZX1vmRenAR0g4DME9YXQQIs8zh9ArUon4cTDDQ0E/s720/pelmet%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyr__8J-ghBORNRtmoUpLAW1KqwZl_mUCoaMdJvES2Lz0O3bbUIvKlXJXB2RXwP_HssfLgFFWaB5cjZjRv2qX8yrN96aogQRFhSBxXnRV7PrA1bbTr89eCyms3JL3AQOv2qzJ3UzBzHmzza-QyS6mZX1vmRenAR0g4DME9YXQQIs8zh9ArUon4cTDDQ0E/s320/pelmet%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two beds ago and three window treatments later,<br />her room looks nothing like this<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>There are more window treatment options than just a curtain rod holding curtains. Since changed to a blind, but at one point, Tootie Pie's window once had a velvet pelmet made from a t.v. box and a scallop template, covered in light wadding and then pink velvet. I also found a natural linen 108" long panels, 4 in all, that I dyed a peach shade and then made matching wall art and painted my fauteuil to match. Now, I have gold sequin panels held back with mirror placemats cut and glued to a cheap tie-back. In the living room, these are paired with light turquoise velvet panels.<div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXSAGb4dMIDY9NfUI3zuv_cgV1umb_IY9BvkhUM29fZGAHost_rbxROpp5zdLO1N6O2VpfzFal_mGICdjc3843X6CLr9Gtk_vSnYR9-dWBUqtWDv8pfeqsFVLcIx0Z2fyvOEG1A3F4LR8uKXU7ATLFTJG6qJE9epwDNB_jCDmOZI-ka4GXrZ59DxIxvw/s720/pelmet.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXSAGb4dMIDY9NfUI3zuv_cgV1umb_IY9BvkhUM29fZGAHost_rbxROpp5zdLO1N6O2VpfzFal_mGICdjc3843X6CLr9Gtk_vSnYR9-dWBUqtWDv8pfeqsFVLcIx0Z2fyvOEG1A3F4LR8uKXU7ATLFTJG6qJE9epwDNB_jCDmOZI-ka4GXrZ59DxIxvw/w200-h150/pelmet.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using the templates to make the<br />scalloped edge and an X-acto knife</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So now I wanted to make a macrame curtain featuring branches and leaves, and a test project where I tried using the twine I bought years ago for $0.50 for 2 giant spools proved disastrous. Remember that knot tying guild I mentioned back in the Christmas in July swap? Well, Celtic queen that I am thought it would be fun to try those infinity knots and, well, my home is now full of tiny yellow twine filaments. And, for some reason, I was only able to complete two knots when all knotting sense left me and I could not, after 10 attempts, make the third knot. I also need shuttles. <p></p></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kZRPsFlIaCmPd1YylureQdZeGKq0LfwPS5zmDpVFiv4Ojf_0QB-_9lw6zrfR-hkk_gyRZOHtP9JUqn0sSZmS1QN51ywFI3OSU9VDcaoRzUHfaHR0kB8jP8NGvNciymecoRCz4i19G6vo8zdbX7u13sTxX9N_pAcsB5C6qwCqmjj6c1JZfVW2zbqT1Uw/s1920/thumbnail_20240121_174906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kZRPsFlIaCmPd1YylureQdZeGKq0LfwPS5zmDpVFiv4Ojf_0QB-_9lw6zrfR-hkk_gyRZOHtP9JUqn0sSZmS1QN51ywFI3OSU9VDcaoRzUHfaHR0kB8jP8NGvNciymecoRCz4i19G6vo8zdbX7u13sTxX9N_pAcsB5C6qwCqmjj6c1JZfVW2zbqT1Uw/s320/thumbnail_20240121_174906.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chandelier and bookcase are the only clues that this<br />is the same room as above, but now occupied by<br />a teenager, Tootie Pie! Oh, the curly curtain that <br />she HATED.</td></tr></tbody></table>Well, my blonde Tootie Pie once justified a $750 communion dress by using the logic that her favorite things about herself was her lips and hair (solid choices, both) and the bubbly style of the dress reminded her of her curls. Well, take my money, now! Well, it so happens that those twisted cones of twine that stayed in my garage for close to two decades remain curled, and so, I added a few ribbons, and now I have a blonde window treatment. Only one knot needed for this project.</div><div><br />After keeping this wonderous tentacled creation in curly girl's room, she wanted it OUT and so I moved it to the kitchen, where it does nothing to block out the afternoon sun, but it does dangle on the wet countertops, so it should get nice and fuzzy by the summer. Not fuzzy as in frizzy hair, but as in growing bacterial fuzz.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAWD_yBiGDh7L-3JKHt5fyOpFGi4kOlcu3ZwPXQflbDlJOLMyhDZ30EkO4okwo8f_iFdwpTniofNM29R5cXcRzvPpBKcofsWdf7Xkic-EpPowJMtRnnZCy5DiwjQMsXGYzf5PqSg1-_XJdvdXiZNWu8AVYrotoVjnwsrnqijY2Yq2JsqJqWanHM0Bpvs/s4080/20240205_164824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAWD_yBiGDh7L-3JKHt5fyOpFGi4kOlcu3ZwPXQflbDlJOLMyhDZ30EkO4okwo8f_iFdwpTniofNM29R5cXcRzvPpBKcofsWdf7Xkic-EpPowJMtRnnZCy5DiwjQMsXGYzf5PqSg1-_XJdvdXiZNWu8AVYrotoVjnwsrnqijY2Yq2JsqJqWanHM0Bpvs/s320/20240205_164824.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curly curtain's new home</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-91504356183604212592024-02-18T18:59:00.006-05:002024-03-04T15:04:49.227-05:00Latch Hooking Again - Pre-Contemplation Stage <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtTs_STH-fTre5ylz1N0y0RcX7YBGQIxIDcNS_7xLIsxgQNwrfiTXS7BdSGprmKeBDVidgK-SX71hO6aRma4ogElOjWmkGBiof9MyaIF_e2KfuTyp2GsiKwRqvykXEpXDZHHtQRYm-mDpub44j-dGAXULvvetPkoLH5WpTkGJ5hlW9pudSA_FAszCsOE/s349/marimekko.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtTs_STH-fTre5ylz1N0y0RcX7YBGQIxIDcNS_7xLIsxgQNwrfiTXS7BdSGprmKeBDVidgK-SX71hO6aRma4ogElOjWmkGBiof9MyaIF_e2KfuTyp2GsiKwRqvykXEpXDZHHtQRYm-mDpub44j-dGAXULvvetPkoLH5WpTkGJ5hlW9pudSA_FAszCsOE/s320/marimekko.png" width="289" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my color mock-up, but I don't like<br />the distribution of the colors.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So, the ocean themed rug turns out to be cat pee damaged. What's a person to do? Well, once upon a time, I was given a Lucy latch hook kit, and dutifully finished it. No idea what happened to it, but it did go with my red, white and blue wallpaper that my friend could NOT STOP LAUGHING AT. Not that I'm scarred...<p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96EucaQerONAhNXOZD0xvylI7wp-qCl2MrBF2vTPQdtDoj0kCGlnOMIAObW4i8ENtXhLOVpOk8aR7t2J9ESVjni-EM2u-4l0FApESG7sgfprakgNhJdrhpnjx58010kvPJrcgIpAQn-nDAAfe3K2jXFlI1L4trkCbwlyq1s818hF2S-jJZHbpatPGXBA/s545/marimekko-unikko-yellow-lime-fabric-44.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="544" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96EucaQerONAhNXOZD0xvylI7wp-qCl2MrBF2vTPQdtDoj0kCGlnOMIAObW4i8ENtXhLOVpOk8aR7t2J9ESVjni-EM2u-4l0FApESG7sgfprakgNhJdrhpnjx58010kvPJrcgIpAQn-nDAAfe3K2jXFlI1L4trkCbwlyq1s818hF2S-jJZHbpatPGXBA/w199-h200/marimekko-unikko-yellow-lime-fabric-44.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could buy oilcloth<br />that measures 18"x54"<br />That would give me one <br />and a half 18x18 pillows<br />with no seam allowance<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>So, I ordered the canvas, the tools, and the precut wool, and I will be making a 36"x60" Marimekko Unikko dup. I saw the chartreuse and yellow colorway on a pillow that was $90. Now, given that the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/778283314/marimekko-oil-cloth-yellow-lime-green">fabric</a> is going for $35.95 a HALF yard, and the width isn't even 60", my gracious! So, no, way too pricey for a pillow that will be used to balance Tootie Pie's fruit and jam breakfasts. <p></p>Once I decided against buying the pillows, I have been obsessing about them ever since. So, we're going to get creative and latch hook our own 3-color Unikko RUG! So, in addition to the yellow, jonquil, and chartreuse of the $90 pillow version, I will be adding kelly green like in the Unikko below. Since I plan on having 9 poppies on my rug, each main poppy color of yellow, chartreuse and kelly will be represented 3 times. The jonquil will be the stamen, and the black will be used for the centers and stems. Since I am using wool, the white will not be winter white as in the fabric, but a sort of off-white natural sheep color. <div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTgMUCJoAthUC72d4zSiqQCMjZp08CQWEWfBMSF2f_89J68fEfG9eOYd12567XwWEuuLNr0X5i5PvQ1cz7r7Rm6uKnqRAPpx_4s0AL5DfofuhNemcd0xwbAEXb6n64lpXwd0-2OKa9GVLSvbp5rYbgkigEDTo62YkM1cDMfP4gQuCoRf56HTooVN4bMk/s545/marimekko-pieni-unikko-green-fabric-44.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="544" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTgMUCJoAthUC72d4zSiqQCMjZp08CQWEWfBMSF2f_89J68fEfG9eOYd12567XwWEuuLNr0X5i5PvQ1cz7r7Rm6uKnqRAPpx_4s0AL5DfofuhNemcd0xwbAEXb6n64lpXwd0-2OKa9GVLSvbp5rYbgkigEDTo62YkM1cDMfP4gQuCoRf56HTooVN4bMk/w199-h200/marimekko-pieni-unikko-green-fabric-44.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is currently out<br />of stock <a href="https://www.finnstyle.com/punikko-green-fabric.html">here</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>So, I've scored all my colors in wool, precut. If this is something I'd like to replicate, I'll probably just cut my own lengths, since finding old wool stock is not easy. I ended up buying the following number or packages, which contain 320 strands per package:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Off White: 6 packages - I also ended up getting two packs of "tan", which look for all the world just like off white, but we'll see.</li><li>Kelly: 5 packages of Readicut #39</li><li>Chartreuse: 6 packages of Symrnalaine #43</li><li>Yellow: 6 packages of Bernat #3100</li><li>Jonquil: 2 packages of Symrnalaine #54</li><li>Black: 6 packages of Readicut #48</li><li>Off-white: 2 packages of Bernat #3173</li></ul><div>My canvas is 36"x60", with 25 threads per square inch. So, a quick math says we have 2160 square inches, times 25 is 54,000 threads. I have 320 x 31 = 9,920. Hmmm...I'm off by a factor of 6! Also, if almost 10,000 hooks is intimidating. Fifty-four thousand is impossible! Now I'm wondering if I need a bolster pillow (not).</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjabchvNUraMYu-3NTIkgE3mkC4_QzxhVnxsAtYuGENWO83ZKABUdce_Hf3wr0GgdOlsCm-7kyLDV4MYXl2toM4HGSYqB2G050Zfm25PjB2wlwrIrrlA03RDRd5YPRpKEBrj5o-0iumsVeGW8QSpeIeOzjp975sJta3UJaupUs_88bEYPPsFxpAKRTNE/s1458/s-l1600.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="1155" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjabchvNUraMYu-3NTIkgE3mkC4_QzxhVnxsAtYuGENWO83ZKABUdce_Hf3wr0GgdOlsCm-7kyLDV4MYXl2toM4HGSYqB2G050Zfm25PjB2wlwrIrrlA03RDRd5YPRpKEBrj5o-0iumsVeGW8QSpeIeOzjp975sJta3UJaupUs_88bEYPPsFxpAKRTNE/s320/s-l1600.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>So, if I keep the size, but lose some detail, by getting 14 knots per square inch gives me 30,375 loops. Now it's down to a factor of 3! Could I cut the 2.5" strands into thirds? Probably not, since each knot takes up 0.5 of an inch of the length, and so 2.5 - 1.5 for 3 loops leaves one inch to be split in 3 pieces, so 1/3 of an inch is left for the fringe, and this needs to be split in two, since each loop has two tails. That means that the pile height will be 1/6" instead of 1 inch, so it sounds not doable, but I'm going to do a trial run anyhow. The thinner the carpet, the thicker the wallet.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, boy, I better figure this out! I should see the mean psychiatrist, Lucy! Let me cancel the orders above. C'mon!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now what? So, now I go with the cheaper option, cutting my own wool. That should be fun. There are doodads that you can buy to do this, or, and we should know that if there's an OR involved in spending money, I'm most likely going with the OR. I can make a yarn cutter out of cardboard. The only trick is to make it half as wide as you want your threads. In latch hooking, we usually use 2.5 inches, to get a one-inch pile. In my case, now that I have the flexibility, I may go for a half-inch pile, so my yarn should only be 1.5 inches long. Which means:</div><div><br /></div><div>36 x 60 x 25 = 54,000 x 1.5 = 81,000 inches of wool. I will figure out the proportions of each color next. I am starting to see why they sell these things as kits now! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFkKeIXXZPcY_CpwMsD6UqlR_hpEZIQkpWzxvWkYoi1ngy7p466X58yfqiscvb3QaGuVqL_TAnlVNTentZMfVezjOuexRjC38YPgUPaRu8uEVXGywilToVnujlqdsiHbCMRd9v0oobGqb0aWbOVOdvWfK6cn84Bd_WM67utosMtXkOwMVOsgRiPVoJfo/s500/3color.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFkKeIXXZPcY_CpwMsD6UqlR_hpEZIQkpWzxvWkYoi1ngy7p466X58yfqiscvb3QaGuVqL_TAnlVNTentZMfVezjOuexRjC38YPgUPaRu8uEVXGywilToVnujlqdsiHbCMRd9v0oobGqb0aWbOVOdvWfK6cn84Bd_WM67utosMtXkOwMVOsgRiPVoJfo/w200-h200/3color.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">70s in a good way, like me<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>So, this photo is to show how Marimekko arranges 3 different colors, and notice how the colors are very similar to mine! So, imagine the white flowers are the kelly green ones in the above color mockup and you have the idea. But now, what about that blue background? Doesn't that look nice? Maybe we should do this layout rather than the 9 only on mine, above? </div><div><br /></div><div>See how the planning leads to more questions? I love it! Fumbling my way towards beauty.</div><div><br /></div><div>And, so, here it is, in its imagined form. Now I need to source the yarn, determine the proportions of each color (still haven't done that) to get approximately the right amount and then, latch, latch, latch. The likelihood of this project ever being completed is very close to zero, but that hasn't stopped me before. The cost of the wool very well could, though! And, since a tutorial on latching recommended that the strands be no less than 2 inches long, that means I need to figure out the proportions for the colors out of 108,000 inches of yarn. OMG!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KvDZ2iM3M9UMcLk7lBmQ1JQZyQyeF4J4ogmh2fKxjZbryD-g0Mr7uNfUcHJ3a3VSemsdRJlvGMCylHT-rrD-4rwBoLCNhi4ivEz507lXMDEn5Q8tF-fJebrCUh6sLWItt5EbEh6-EDbG-wOgpgzXLGToOZ-Giwz5dcWmC6svwjV_Z5yTbIRrisdaVCA/s500/3color%20yellow%20green%20kelly.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KvDZ2iM3M9UMcLk7lBmQ1JQZyQyeF4J4ogmh2fKxjZbryD-g0Mr7uNfUcHJ3a3VSemsdRJlvGMCylHT-rrD-4rwBoLCNhi4ivEz507lXMDEn5Q8tF-fJebrCUh6sLWItt5EbEh6-EDbG-wOgpgzXLGToOZ-Giwz5dcWmC6svwjV_Z5yTbIRrisdaVCA/s320/3color%20yellow%20green%20kelly.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, the imagining is the fun part. Now<br />comes the drudgery.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>So, let's do it. I used <a href="https://www.coolphptools.com/color_extract#demo">this tool</a> to come up with the following percentages:<div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>White: 37% = 39,960" or 1,110 yards</li><li>Kelly (main, darker): 14% = 15,120" or 420 yards</li><li>Chartreuse: 13% = 14,040" or 390 yards</li><li>Yellow: 14% = 15,120" or 420 yards</li><li>Jonquil: 14% = 15,120" or 420 yards</li><li>Kelly (secondary, lighter): 4% = 4,320" or 120 yards</li><li>Black: 2% = 2,160" or 60 yards</li></ul></div><div><div>Look at that wonderful balance between the kelly, chartreuse, yellow and jonquil. Beauty everywhere!</div><br /><div><br /></div><div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTgMUCJoAthUC72d4zSiqQCMjZp08CQWEWfBMSF2f_89J68fEfG9eOYd12567XwWEuuLNr0X5i5PvQ1cz7r7Rm6uKnqRAPpx_4s0AL5DfofuhNemcd0xwbAEXb6n64lpXwd0-2OKa9GVLSvbp5rYbgkigEDTo62YkM1cDMfP4gQuCoRf56HTooVN4bMk/s545/marimekko-pieni-unikko-green-fabric-44.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p></div></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-81746495637513983892024-02-04T20:53:00.002-05:002024-02-05T17:52:10.639-05:00Fish Motif - Dory and Marlin Papier-Mâché<p></p><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHcZ_4coI1Ulsgmqo5aZzkj373JjrlDIHrksxCQBHvRcFdsBfBrNI-fN7nPTSO-wdInrTVDl703106lwnNt6BgTagWR7MKEx4SbB26R_ufv0Z6CdyGjnYgIYinCqxPoC5XI6TdyScWjLc8F-U4NZitlXeBSx8cCRV_W71WXT9TVtifL3ZS0yUZFV11IQ/s4080/20240204_204035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHcZ_4coI1Ulsgmqo5aZzkj373JjrlDIHrksxCQBHvRcFdsBfBrNI-fN7nPTSO-wdInrTVDl703106lwnNt6BgTagWR7MKEx4SbB26R_ufv0Z6CdyGjnYgIYinCqxPoC5XI6TdyScWjLc8F-U4NZitlXeBSx8cCRV_W71WXT9TVtifL3ZS0yUZFV11IQ/s320/20240204_204035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>During yet another convalescence, I have documented my delve into the creative with my adventure with the Whale Song art paper purchase. I asked my sisters if they want the Orrefors crystal whale that my mother picked up at some soir<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">é</span>e. And, now, because I need to put up not one, but 2 curtain rod holders, I am fashioning Dory and Marlin figures from paper cutouts transferred to cardboard.</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vtgBFc870mw_VEWjpno8fqgEwrpArmf3DRA2406vgg25d9H2N5k3TGcGNUanum67OXN-Zj4RvHNFXlp4cSc2Tk5GOi5458Zc1h5lVDmTYSwNgXNnSCrTjSJqPtAAjE-RECIW86gHZ1uNun9lHpxARJW-hH-E9asW7UokEp4V8wI4l4JTGateYABf9KM/s4080/20240119_234656.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vtgBFc870mw_VEWjpno8fqgEwrpArmf3DRA2406vgg25d9H2N5k3TGcGNUanum67OXN-Zj4RvHNFXlp4cSc2Tk5GOi5458Zc1h5lVDmTYSwNgXNnSCrTjSJqPtAAjE-RECIW86gHZ1uNun9lHpxARJW-hH-E9asW7UokEp4V8wI4l4JTGateYABf9KM/w150-h200/20240119_234656.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crystal finback?</td></tr></tbody></table>Before we get into the process, let me tell you about my esteem for this film. In a way, needing to plan everything so meticulously I think led to its brilliance. The staff were taught to scuba, and everyone at Pixar became immersed in the underwater. And the story came from a long drive shared between the producers or directors, bemoaning how this very drive was preventing them from being with their children. Separation anxiety is real. Life is an adventure, and adventures involve risk. It takes Marlin a while to understand that Nemo can do it. And it took a tang fish with a short term memory problem to show him how.<br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cardboard armature base scaled and traced from the internet, I loaded up the base with balls of paper, and then set those in place using masking tape. Over that rough situation, I did a p<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">apier-mâché</span> covering, and then set to smoothing this out more by making papier mach<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">é</span> clay. Mhhhhhm. With grout, because all the other recipes called for calcium carbonate or spackling compound, not DAP. We are shopping from home, so, I had grout. So, my adapted <a href="https://www.ultimatepapermache.com/paper-mache-clay-without-joint-compound">recipe</a> consisted of the following:</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztGVHkQPZL55nfPBn3BhcZbpElnNuSOHZBWpbCRSrHy-1dLXV6eEyhq5_QX8_9sX2nl3t0qDyKNfJdEH-oOo-QPKQ3dsK7rO-53lMNmQFCyU3Z1ArE8lfWhLgO1qm4eifhI7FqXSs4nbOEC6AXAs0HkGgD0JhzuMag8VZnRbOadnVCgACO5gJ7ClcF8U/s4080/20240130_140345.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztGVHkQPZL55nfPBn3BhcZbpElnNuSOHZBWpbCRSrHy-1dLXV6eEyhq5_QX8_9sX2nl3t0qDyKNfJdEH-oOo-QPKQ3dsK7rO-53lMNmQFCyU3Z1ArE8lfWhLgO1qm4eifhI7FqXSs4nbOEC6AXAs0HkGgD0JhzuMag8VZnRbOadnVCgACO5gJ7ClcF8U/w150-h200/20240130_140345.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paper tracing from <br />internet, plus wads of paper,<br />masking taped to Dory<br />armature. Two masking taped<br />balls will function as her eyes</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQCVrtHHS6fWDic_qFB3WjU7ZJlb0e0VpCTpaLbAk6o8aP7XqvHvTIewI80OBc25LwdM0fKmu16hrzclCjgyLDZAXZe_5oBYqGeDCB8flQ5TENXjEXyAENNl5acZJgElaUcTalBrlmoHyAIjNzUY7ScNt12OweP6XESWk3vHUYEFr3FvIC81XJyMOZv0/s4080/20240201_164020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQCVrtHHS6fWDic_qFB3WjU7ZJlb0e0VpCTpaLbAk6o8aP7XqvHvTIewI80OBc25LwdM0fKmu16hrzclCjgyLDZAXZe_5oBYqGeDCB8flQ5TENXjEXyAENNl5acZJgElaUcTalBrlmoHyAIjNzUY7ScNt12OweP6XESWk3vHUYEFr3FvIC81XJyMOZv0/w150-h200/20240201_164020.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now I have started <br />adding my paper<br />clay slurry to smooth <br />out the eyes and<br />other oopsies.</td></tr></tbody></table>2 parts <b>water</b> to one part<b> flour</b>, or is it the other way around? The papier m<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">â</span>ch<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">é</span> base, plus <b>salt</b>, to preserve it. To this, I added <b>shredded paper</b> and let it sit for a bit, and added some light <b>napkins</b> and then <b>Aleene's Fabric Glue</b>, because this is what I had on hand. And, a quick whirl with my immersion blender, and then add in the <b>grout </b>and some <b>corn starch</b>. With this concoction, I smoothed out the joints with the fins and also built up their eyes and brows. And generally made them more symmetrical, if possible. It was fun. Finally, I gave the whole figure a smooth skim coat with my offset frosting spatula.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />I also cut out a hand-drawn coral and some wavy grass that I repeated 5 times. The grass was veined with another sliver of paper and papier-mach<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">é</span>d with textured crepe paper. The coral was just cut from cardstock and thickened with multiple Modge Podge and supported with scraps of cardboard. These will form the backdrop of the curtain holders. No idea where the fish will go. I kind of wished I would have made an anemone! <div style="text-align: left;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YHGQaGasTTACTyOHRR4xz4kRMVXgD1FyelR0BZ2CNt3X1_YzBAcuY0ioK2upCWEx6nh07lHEaXHz7KWRr99MUzPiA-xERcqK8RTK57UgFG3UezuEZMlzCL-9TSc7jQjpJUPDa1bc4zrCah2JwBWyV8m0sezSX2O9PXptn2HNar1vuu_XBJP0WwDOnDA/s3059/20240201_212516.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2903" data-original-width="3059" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YHGQaGasTTACTyOHRR4xz4kRMVXgD1FyelR0BZ2CNt3X1_YzBAcuY0ioK2upCWEx6nh07lHEaXHz7KWRr99MUzPiA-xERcqK8RTK57UgFG3UezuEZMlzCL-9TSc7jQjpJUPDa1bc4zrCah2JwBWyV8m0sezSX2O9PXptn2HNar1vuu_XBJP0WwDOnDA/w200-h190/20240201_212516.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To cover the horrible spackling<br />job that I did over the staircase: <br />fronds like you, who needs <br />anemones?</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>In any case, I need to figure out how to make these 3D figurines really smooth, as in the <a href="https://whimsypapermache.blogspot.com/2016/01/how-to-make-friendly-blue-tang-fish-dory.html">tutorial</a> that I am boldly ripping off. I suppose a sanding is in order. And then, to smooth it out with Modge Podge for that final glossy finish. Then, the paint, the fun part. The part where I realize that the surface is not glass-like enough, as I did with my <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/6933787105673733516/7633813475856815948">Bjorn Winblaad</a> vase. We're trying to live and learn...the hard way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, to find out how my DIY paper clay recipe holds up to sanding. It's like sanding grout. But doable. And, sturdy, so that's a plus! But, after painstakingly sanding the dry figurines, I finally decided to rinse them of the dust and then I found that a quick dousing and they are so much more easily sandable! So, even better. Now that they're painted and sealed, I put them in situ, over the staircase. I love my little fish friends!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6iIThgkmif2BaxhErpn_3kCPMUTPB0faG0enScUWCH_wD2w7F6vrtYzAzAz-jDa97PNp6WZ5QgVWZNLziuVKRqkNWk3fZANOFUE0vJCf_-08QrpsocgBRWYnQxHNxYsLQAxluFXCb0GiJoODA6wXvWEsObkmG4R6PMb_Sy5u8EJP9vVr5sdyqv-1e8I/s4080/20240204_204357.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6iIThgkmif2BaxhErpn_3kCPMUTPB0faG0enScUWCH_wD2w7F6vrtYzAzAz-jDa97PNp6WZ5QgVWZNLziuVKRqkNWk3fZANOFUE0vJCf_-08QrpsocgBRWYnQxHNxYsLQAxluFXCb0GiJoODA6wXvWEsObkmG4R6PMb_Sy5u8EJP9vVr5sdyqv-1e8I/s320/20240204_204357.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, now the whale is going to eat Marlin while <br />Dory watches. She then decides to be ingested<br />with him and they argue about his belly being <br />half full or half empty.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-44624556412591357352024-01-23T03:53:00.004-05:002024-01-23T03:53:53.355-05:00DIY Jonathan Adler Metallic Ceramic Lamps Tutorial<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">There have been enough projects since I started this blog that I am flabbergasted that I only just now realized that I only documented one of my favorite Do It Yourself projects: the fake Jonathan Adler lamps I made about 10 years ago now.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQJweXaTwZU2adgZLI3Gjb6wvyG8g9DuhZuW17dPaW8oLqpWt5Bdyu-3h3niR0g-jT4lPg5Ln5-ivznPfUFAFX54maEna3fd2tukbrZiSLskRa4oOO4ddXWaOvMIQQcDk6UPyeP6Ykl6zla_RhyphenhyphenaShVoLOwqVHXi7sIkL3NHfqlc-thdOpC1j2-N5Tns/s1400/adler.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQJweXaTwZU2adgZLI3Gjb6wvyG8g9DuhZuW17dPaW8oLqpWt5Bdyu-3h3niR0g-jT4lPg5Ln5-ivznPfUFAFX54maEna3fd2tukbrZiSLskRa4oOO4ddXWaOvMIQQcDk6UPyeP6Ykl6zla_RhyphenhyphenaShVoLOwqVHXi7sIkL3NHfqlc-thdOpC1j2-N5Tns/s320/adler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Smzg7e3fVL8bdwiU84Xyf55950XTUHQgA6mJu4SiL9KlAHs9s45x55SCU2RQSp2bCMHQgSt1g3jmlUUgzBuamUmmu0TwXHo3M504JAkcitv3AnY7quZiXQM9hQQYoPpCh78fqF1OUEQKnbX5iSQfK81Xclcw6uUO1LrmU_nF1G15h8EcL3c-xYDTg5E/s720/ADLER%20BEFOR.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Smzg7e3fVL8bdwiU84Xyf55950XTUHQgA6mJu4SiL9KlAHs9s45x55SCU2RQSp2bCMHQgSt1g3jmlUUgzBuamUmmu0TwXHo3M504JAkcitv3AnY7quZiXQM9hQQYoPpCh78fqF1OUEQKnbX5iSQfK81Xclcw6uUO1LrmU_nF1G15h8EcL3c-xYDTg5E/w150-h200/ADLER%20BEFOR.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For use as an actual<br />ginger jar?</td></tr></tbody></table>Now that you've seen the real deal, my imitation pales, but at $550 per lamp, and I needed two, the authentic item will never be mine, wah! But, at Daffy's store closing, I found two ginger jars in silver metallic with a fluted shape, $5 each, and I was walking out with 2 and no idea HOW I was going to convert this useless - the opening is about 1" in diameter - decor item into my dream lamps. <br /><br />Well, as it turns out, that's why they make ceramic drill bits and lamp kits! A quick and stressful drilling and hot gluing the lamp kit to the base (mhmmmm, this is going to be a wonky knock-off), and voila! I have since silver leafed the side table and documented the replacement of the other one. Curtains and bed linens long gone, as is mirror, which is another tutorial.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTEJk-99ieHh2aL12KpxR61T39eQ6FPPQX4HyCIMw31O40rX7seQFo-cmkz_juyu6W1yNvinAhx2BbUUElAVPwjUMovoMwOn7wyz9V2Wmucihdu7r6EqKzPn20N3_gBSWreEQfqkOOoUe7ctDbhWT9hZYMuq9RRK_kk5s49ykXjYMB6vS1KW6UUZ8reY/s720/adler%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTEJk-99ieHh2aL12KpxR61T39eQ6FPPQX4HyCIMw31O40rX7seQFo-cmkz_juyu6W1yNvinAhx2BbUUElAVPwjUMovoMwOn7wyz9V2Wmucihdu7r6EqKzPn20N3_gBSWreEQfqkOOoUe7ctDbhWT9hZYMuq9RRK_kk5s49ykXjYMB6vS1KW6UUZ8reY/w200-h150/adler%202.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product is not as<br />sinewy and curvaceous as<br />Adler's version, but not enough <br />to justify the $495 price<br />difference!</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSXDowhEl3zJCOPVEAfKzI_tVZVuBk-jC7uHig76hhawLDqZ-IFDMDnXJ94Dd1taI9xE-FWpKal8fi4YC2L6u_XJcte4V-lglURJWOpP3XvgocFc3ARcqSxkYbUNGV_Gyy8V-Kj2jL2kHT7RlQSguMim1-l1li7sThc2ntBDihixwcvWl_bPRqv5k9oE/s720/adler%203.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSXDowhEl3zJCOPVEAfKzI_tVZVuBk-jC7uHig76hhawLDqZ-IFDMDnXJ94Dd1taI9xE-FWpKal8fi4YC2L6u_XJcte4V-lglURJWOpP3XvgocFc3ARcqSxkYbUNGV_Gyy8V-Kj2jL2kHT7RlQSguMim1-l1li7sThc2ntBDihixwcvWl_bPRqv5k9oE/w200-h150/adler%203.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lamps, in situ, 3 curtains ago, <br />many bed linens<br />since, and friend's <br />donated 3 drawer chest leafed <br />in silver.</td></tr></tbody></table>So, I happened upon the ceramic fluted metallic jar, but locating a budget pair as I did may prove difficult. But, put your thinking cap on, what else could we use? A hurricane lamp back painted with mirror backing? Certainly this can be kicked up a notch! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-86193292066538899462024-01-22T04:54:00.006-05:002024-01-22T05:04:44.313-05:00Leslie & Ann - Friendship<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJBfRSEBvMFaXxUKTWIdxTcPdnp-GfFI5NaE6X9DodtL16tYDpAYquKJrPa38TddzPnQ92-wJf9n2Y3P0wDxxoIQLYtTlLxP4Va4k0CAO-7AuoQ31oiCUAIEzozvXOZTQh9ok2pWMuD1KWneH5IXZpyVjK9KnS84-YqZ39TGu5P0SzWELkx0gneEvbck/s1420/leslie%20ann.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1420" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJBfRSEBvMFaXxUKTWIdxTcPdnp-GfFI5NaE6X9DodtL16tYDpAYquKJrPa38TddzPnQ92-wJf9n2Y3P0wDxxoIQLYtTlLxP4Va4k0CAO-7AuoQ31oiCUAIEzozvXOZTQh9ok2pWMuD1KWneH5IXZpyVjK9KnS84-YqZ39TGu5P0SzWELkx0gneEvbck/s320/leslie%20ann.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosie the Riveter and a female astronaut. Galentine's!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br />Since my retirement, I've been going through many phases, or as I used to call them, hair brained schemes. I have documented my artistic forays, and my blog post output is on the rise. Some of these phases are continuations of love affairs that I have for certain things, like Leslie Knope. Okay, that's the main character of a late 2000s t.v. show called Parks and Recreation. For the people in the blogosphere that are still confused, Chris Pratt got his start here, and as a special feature he manifested a phone call from Steven Spielberg about Jurassic World II. So, once, again, I have something amazing that I cannot contribute to its correct owner, because, I wrote down the words, but not the title of the YouTube video I stole it from. Here it is: <blockquote><p>Leslie and Ann's arc throughout the (first) season ends on a hopeful note, even if their romantic aspirations are both dashed. What's more important than them finding love, is they found each other and form a friendship that will last throughout the rest of Parks and Recreation and reveals that Parks and Recreation was not about how these two women found love but how they found their best friend.</p></blockquote><p></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ace2RPyHTtwReu2QZqB3Ygf2PeAXe5LeOsOb940p0VVBGht0hbRmicuptcZ0R-PyWmUKB_w9-swWtBAM1lxKk_Qf8buqQ8Ugwf574EMThtDGdtxLed5bfQXk0SfRtMHvnDmpGt73s8PvaCVYyjsnqGSZV1T8P9tRNAtl59sDCl1G9HtpeT45Gmbn41U/w176-h200/smart%20woman.jpg" width="176" /></p>And that's what I love about Parks and Recreation: that it celebrates all types of love, especially between women. Here is a quote from the lovely Rashida Jones (Ann):<p></p><p></p><blockquote>Most girls have friends that are like, that's awesome, you're great, how, how can I help you? How can I support your life and make you a better person, or what can we talk about to make you feel better about your own life?</blockquote><p>And, yes, most girls do have friends like that. Life friends. I am lucky in that I have two automatic friends that go by the more family-oriented term "sisters", but I have attracted some great friends over the years.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ace2RPyHTtwReu2QZqB3Ygf2PeAXe5LeOsOb940p0VVBGht0hbRmicuptcZ0R-PyWmUKB_w9-swWtBAM1lxKk_Qf8buqQ8Ugwf574EMThtDGdtxLed5bfQXk0SfRtMHvnDmpGt73s8PvaCVYyjsnqGSZV1T8P9tRNAtl59sDCl1G9HtpeT45Gmbn41U/s569/smart%20woman.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUHP4-WqX87tY8nzkbDw0EmwPMcABdxeZr71r8E2uYihKuh6ZSD-PctxqDBuU5lWU0EUE3cDyplEvgbpvIv0RgJGTdal9dCKEREo0IZc4278vF-b9FfpVVdnjMRVvLshLUp71Brve0obFGjNVmvi1zd0DAxMjS7qBOM1FPYEkV2eZWK4C-tiSWmeQNMw/s1916/leslie%20ann%201.webp" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1916" data-original-width="1916" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUHP4-WqX87tY8nzkbDw0EmwPMcABdxeZr71r8E2uYihKuh6ZSD-PctxqDBuU5lWU0EUE3cDyplEvgbpvIv0RgJGTdal9dCKEREo0IZc4278vF-b9FfpVVdnjMRVvLshLUp71Brve0obFGjNVmvi1zd0DAxMjS7qBOM1FPYEkV2eZWK4C-tiSWmeQNMw/w200-h200/leslie%20ann%201.webp" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm thinking of a particular old<br />friend that ended up being my<br />birthing partner!</td></tr></tbody></table>When you go through a major transition, usually this means adding joy and more love to a life: marriage, birth, anniversaries, college, moving, bringing someone home to dinner. These are the moments that mark a life. But there are other transitions that are not as joyous: divorce, death, health concerns and, to a certain extent, retirement. Well, I can say that those not so cool life events are really working as a team to make my life quite the endurance contest. Well, I am pleased to report that my team of friends are helping and supporting and making me a better person. By just talking, and being there.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqr9EWZ91LLqLRhEgR375qD6mJxshLFJ3oQTPQKDNJ8N75R6jmJl1E25k7t5wv8tAVcKLCEQzb-5fUHvh_NlnCuKBy12Iacyq2LhBILz3JgmHJTu_F8b2C_TgYqMafByIN_JNvyWVwNkPNX4-HiIzrI9e-MuW9MH6KFNYdF38sCwpIY-AtiixN18h9HpA/s640/7e95c3f98eeb9b9165b77dc4f9d08712.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="640" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqr9EWZ91LLqLRhEgR375qD6mJxshLFJ3oQTPQKDNJ8N75R6jmJl1E25k7t5wv8tAVcKLCEQzb-5fUHvh_NlnCuKBy12Iacyq2LhBILz3JgmHJTu_F8b2C_TgYqMafByIN_JNvyWVwNkPNX4-HiIzrI9e-MuW9MH6KFNYdF38sCwpIY-AtiixN18h9HpA/s320/7e95c3f98eeb9b9165b77dc4f9d08712.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The background of this scene is, Leslie is clinically<br />unable to give a gift that isn't thoughtful and time-<br />consuming, so her friend made her wedding gown<br />out of her political good press!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsEq2MMWfJNzXZDu0doujxEZB9x_5ll9jXj9E964rUMUVO3KotBHtyd-BG1CliTzBSPnbNDg0Bb0u1HSklngTuTjlgjxai2BmZe-5vv69Ot92eRVNOckz8jGrOsBcIP-3H8lSC4pscsVFgt0kswlb8iZdrNCwv4MzIC9kjZXC8dh7JUh9ZTbG6OLoKTk/s497/fight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="497" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsEq2MMWfJNzXZDu0doujxEZB9x_5ll9jXj9E964rUMUVO3KotBHtyd-BG1CliTzBSPnbNDg0Bb0u1HSklngTuTjlgjxai2BmZe-5vv69Ot92eRVNOckz8jGrOsBcIP-3H8lSC4pscsVFgt0kswlb8iZdrNCwv4MzIC9kjZXC8dh7JUh9ZTbG6OLoKTk/s320/fight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It takes a long time to grow an old friend. I am glad mine are old! I am glad I am old. And retired. And sick, divorcing and still grieving the loss of my best friend ever, my mom. She is giving me the determination I need every day, along with the still living friends. I couldn't choose my mother, but if I could, I would certainly never be able to improve upon the one I was lucky enough to get. I can and did chose my friends, and I would never be able to improve upon the ones I was lucky enough to get.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Bd_5z6HT6mgGNmIkKfaC9rGyzduuoBqTXlMyx7r2Qm4iMA8Es3vchl9TAjwcBG-2cgmPRqvcS0_8vo4YIsE80enfLpUcvEChg-PE3lasRI36eDhKPfgDBZLCArPckwUzQU2SOv5cMAnfjBLB1ji1gU32OX1SW4tNjjpokk8fuE1jTeUsaixjbvxPpFo/s523/crazy%20ass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="521" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Bd_5z6HT6mgGNmIkKfaC9rGyzduuoBqTXlMyx7r2Qm4iMA8Es3vchl9TAjwcBG-2cgmPRqvcS0_8vo4YIsE80enfLpUcvEChg-PE3lasRI36eDhKPfgDBZLCArPckwUzQU2SOv5cMAnfjBLB1ji1gU32OX1SW4tNjjpokk8fuE1jTeUsaixjbvxPpFo/s320/crazy%20ass.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>Bonus friends: April and Donna! Girl squad!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6a8tNCNXCn9MJirc1XxX7ShX4JQP7aUiOtf3BB-RC23oXNVMdWt9vJLF8TQoYwc9zJk5L0PWBa8KlRcIws2VJKgo0Y4wiHl6REEIGIkp0KPy8LS12KYj2jlcekFc1-DhMS3_ivsSNYlcsvvvCACRZCJiPV32Rx1K0krG9EF_ktlVnzbybLBxKGEIogQk/s500/couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="500" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6a8tNCNXCn9MJirc1XxX7ShX4JQP7aUiOtf3BB-RC23oXNVMdWt9vJLF8TQoYwc9zJk5L0PWBa8KlRcIws2VJKgo0Y4wiHl6REEIGIkp0KPy8LS12KYj2jlcekFc1-DhMS3_ivsSNYlcsvvvCACRZCJiPV32Rx1K0krG9EF_ktlVnzbybLBxKGEIogQk/s320/couple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Luck o'the Irish. </p><p></p>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-89243322559550106832024-01-20T08:15:00.020-05:002024-01-22T02:21:35.202-05:003D Sea Art - How to Really Get Your Money's Worth of $1.25 Thrift Gift Wrap<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnk3kszjs4RKIOR5vxnbGpTQQDeu2NkY6en3fRtgMQWSx1JeaeuT5s72_NCkYjEck-hGmTO-TI4RjjtoH-4-Y93_D_wXhTqQGGltv8MUXgyfVH2V-2AtsRAweF154aQd-CsGf_SYs5Wge4tihtISjFwDG-4dM46Qa4JsT5hHvSSgmdHFezbAxmRNFzf3U/s4080/20240119_220231.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnk3kszjs4RKIOR5vxnbGpTQQDeu2NkY6en3fRtgMQWSx1JeaeuT5s72_NCkYjEck-hGmTO-TI4RjjtoH-4-Y93_D_wXhTqQGGltv8MUXgyfVH2V-2AtsRAweF154aQd-CsGf_SYs5Wge4tihtISjFwDG-4dM46Qa4JsT5hHvSSgmdHFezbAxmRNFzf3U/s320/20240119_220231.jpg" width="240" /></a>During my summer pilgrimage to my New England origins, I picked up a beautiful piece of art paper at a thrift store in downtown Foxboro, MA. Do I remember the name of the store, no. Artist, no. After a time-consuming internet search, I found that the paper is called <a href="https://www.rogerlaborde.com/collections/the-whale-song-collection/products/gwd131" target="_blank">Whale Song</a>. This explosion of whales reminded me of my wonderful trip to Alaska, and all the wildlife I experienced there. When we went whale watching in Juneau, I expected to see a fluke or maybe, if lucky, a breach. What we got was a pod of 17 whales working together in what is called bubble netting, and it is the most amazing sight! Over and over they signaled to each other to dive, make bubbles, and then all at once, WHOOSH! Up came an inescapable mass of giant mouths, scooping up the frantic and confused fish. <br /><br />Whale song is a dreamy underwater seascape with occasional little girls riding the mammals. I couldn't choose just one side. So, how to display its beauty?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqpYcndyJazeLNUjALcaZpg8zKWoiWQFYUDzjrLFPU2jgoGfYXPNM1fVR-BrClRGmWE4l1145PIDmZg89Y0wChPVmqjusAxNbnFssePsj9LuRut44v_a7qnKvLLcHURxH2XsNijijXwJDB3KQLX-X3fGymeH_InfPph2vv7_AIX2vSilY6f1FLsI2rIg/s1200/WHALE%20SONG.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1200" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqpYcndyJazeLNUjALcaZpg8zKWoiWQFYUDzjrLFPU2jgoGfYXPNM1fVR-BrClRGmWE4l1145PIDmZg89Y0wChPVmqjusAxNbnFssePsj9LuRut44v_a7qnKvLLcHURxH2XsNijijXwJDB3KQLX-X3fGymeH_InfPph2vv7_AIX2vSilY6f1FLsI2rIg/w200-h144/WHALE%20SONG.webp" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So, on reverse, we have pairs of whale<br /> sharks and humpback whales. <br />Background dolphin didn't make cut.</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98DdGv8US0iEjQbxmukIh8Lpj47RWMUbscg5GgRukTYACI548Y7Pi_Kiwgnu4ZP0Qkv44FVTEEWe35B9tKwrqhpeq9GvCF_kUu9EhxMenoEGvPkevzOSsa01zy5Uea0yP-kkOxnHXT-OLido4Ru1KqkAnPta3w-ufpKbvgvKGE8l9WHebUbFo6igYll0/s1200/whale%20sone.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1200" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98DdGv8US0iEjQbxmukIh8Lpj47RWMUbscg5GgRukTYACI548Y7Pi_Kiwgnu4ZP0Qkv44FVTEEWe35B9tKwrqhpeq9GvCF_kUu9EhxMenoEGvPkevzOSsa01zy5Uea0yP-kkOxnHXT-OLido4Ru1KqkAnPta3w-ufpKbvgvKGE8l9WHebUbFo6igYll0/w200-h144/whale%20sone.webp" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't have a plan for this beauty, <br />but I knew I needed it.</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjIxfM0dO5o0Oqoy8bpBgo66fsKgzwVXM5DYnuCrvvcaRCDaciLyoDJwppcH_ohmnYzato99JV2pW2rbuxR5Z0192i3PF0Jra-krHpdeigjpkWfKR_z5eV5gVCsRU6ObRcfV60KO0rq64AwcWKPSgRMCZoWUq04Qgvzpm7CaXMACyYtkeb1dbKJS4vn8/s1129/thumbnail_20240110_092226.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="1129" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjIxfM0dO5o0Oqoy8bpBgo66fsKgzwVXM5DYnuCrvvcaRCDaciLyoDJwppcH_ohmnYzato99JV2pW2rbuxR5Z0192i3PF0Jra-krHpdeigjpkWfKR_z5eV5gVCsRU6ObRcfV60KO0rq64AwcWKPSgRMCZoWUq04Qgvzpm7CaXMACyYtkeb1dbKJS4vn8/w200-h149/thumbnail_20240110_092226.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My scary freehand sperm whale with eyeball</td></tr></tbody></table>First, let me free-hand a sperm whale and cut it out. Add a googly eye, and attach it to wall. This paper was two-sided (back side was monochromatic green and white background mammals). But there was much remaining of the once rectangular paper masterpiece after I cut this wonderous monster out. So, now what?</div><br /><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPgLC1v6OAk9m9E3C4OjVYidmk-GO1if_JDfOgmsMVAzKeNM7ffv6ZUj68Pau1MJGIJhUMfm4UdYTfxC6u2ZFkZHinrfyQlWyEDvgxnnrvI4HshBzqS5OeQIMlUGHtI44ObYkAZlZW8BXk-t2xn_wDU4W-uKlMk2p-q7vMxNApHizrYJQG0N65G0lulo/s4080/20240119_213043.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPgLC1v6OAk9m9E3C4OjVYidmk-GO1if_JDfOgmsMVAzKeNM7ffv6ZUj68Pau1MJGIJhUMfm4UdYTfxC6u2ZFkZHinrfyQlWyEDvgxnnrvI4HshBzqS5OeQIMlUGHtI44ObYkAZlZW8BXk-t2xn_wDU4W-uKlMk2p-q7vMxNApHizrYJQG0N65G0lulo/w150-h200/20240119_213043.jpg" title="Finwhale is in single shade of green, tail end of humpback is in full-color." width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">Finwhale face is in single shade</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">of green, tail end of humpback</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">is in full-color.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table>I set out to cutting out one each of the SMALLER mammals on the monochrome side. The blue whale and an even larger version of a finwhale that I couldn't get whole were lost to eternity. Okay, technically there were two "background" whale sharks, but who's looking that closely? Then, one of every multi-colored mammal and shark and octopus. OKAY! Two full-color humpbacks. I am looking that closely. Many, many individual fish. Many. And corals and seaweed. All these things were layered: monochromatic marine life on scrapbook paper backing, then multicolored large creatures on transparency, then random fish and octopus. Even within these layers, I used foam two-sided glue doodads and tiny floor protectors (originally to go under cache-pots, natch) to create levels on levels.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpx8J0ytv-tdhdSXBNYo4HOvBWPDMR1ys7LcBs6eSJWrVOvGk4wL8JY7NE2ZX5DVtCHUN0J4A8uG6oEssWbhcVq8YGmp0xeQSOZtW22dkncZF0l8YGxEswbrcgDcQ3yGbxrgrGSJekUEkocsM7fAR7R-84Oe6LfkPM21jh2f6d2xEXtuiUaOyxbnOTJDs/s4080/20240119_220336.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpx8J0ytv-tdhdSXBNYo4HOvBWPDMR1ys7LcBs6eSJWrVOvGk4wL8JY7NE2ZX5DVtCHUN0J4A8uG6oEssWbhcVq8YGmp0xeQSOZtW22dkncZF0l8YGxEswbrcgDcQ3yGbxrgrGSJekUEkocsM7fAR7R-84Oe6LfkPM21jh2f6d2xEXtuiUaOyxbnOTJDs/w150-h200/20240119_220336.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not where I planned it to go, but how</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">can I deny that custom fit?</div></td></tr></tbody></table>The green die-cut seaweed was purchased and was attached only at the bottoms, the better to pop out on the Z-axis.You can see their shadows which is cool. I am still debating taking one of the green ones on the left and painting it coral. We shall see. Maybe add some red fish over the top? I found one final scrap with 5 whole red-orange fish and 3 nice blue tang fish. Not sure. I so think the left side needs more orange. Also, lights. We do have left-over LEDs from Tootie Pie's room. This will be the 3D Sea Art Improvement - Adding Lights post to be added soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhKzPvSN85R7eaaP1xGHWMV30bYAaDiRBGv1IisS4uT6-vwUkg_IOaNTZpIOq0kETXlKVv6qJUOwjgqEm66uemnPCgz4K6pumQOE2GJQ87WgB_9vAKjREA7zMMe7UrU3AEQWE4qLRUusO9A9Cv3s0cWTMA4WYWnfp_2MaKiSRmnxF0XaO6uFigLKbKVY/s4080/20240119_220237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-19437180876319489132023-11-11T15:38:00.005-05:002023-11-11T19:46:35.641-05:00Does Getting What You Want Make You Happier?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJS383ad410T9x67aDQbdGPAWzyFt0M_6xVfs_-pPgRR5b70yKkvKZ393MVH-OEyFCImNvBazvxg8PkzXBmilZlNLjqAdAcD7u-V7NxcOWKfxqRWfVJlqgmKZi7GNVYrSbA5fwmt-n5kGUObKoN1q17bYl9dquPPGUuuZrRRaG41C8Z25vHLOVPRNRBQA/s389/winsor%2011.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.eride.ri.gov/SBA/analysis/school/Smithfield_William_Winsor_School%20-%20FCA_Detail.pdf" border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="389" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJS383ad410T9x67aDQbdGPAWzyFt0M_6xVfs_-pPgRR5b70yKkvKZ393MVH-OEyFCImNvBazvxg8PkzXBmilZlNLjqAdAcD7u-V7NxcOWKfxqRWfVJlqgmKZi7GNVYrSbA5fwmt-n5kGUObKoN1q17bYl9dquPPGUuuZrRRaG41C8Z25vHLOVPRNRBQA/w320-h240/winsor%2011.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This gym/cafeteria was subterranean? There was a bump out that is not pictured to the right where the kitchen was, and the milk coolers were where the 2 yellow tables are.</div><p></p><p>I always thought things would have turned out better if, at one critical juncture in time, my family had zigged instead of zagged. I never really had the ability to know this to be true, I just assumed this from age 11 until just recently. Now, come to find out, maybe not...</p><p>See, I grew up in a fairy tale. Or in a Laura Ingalls Wilder novel. With wishing wells and water wheels and orchards and bobwhites. And then, I moved. To Cleveland. Ohio. In 1979. Body hair. Body odor. Lots of stuff happening with the body. And, simultaneously, moody. This must be Cleveland's fault! So, Cleveland was thrown under the bus pretty quickly. But, there was a rural quality to where I lived, and some amenities, and it had an amazing amusement park just nearby. I mean, we saw license plates from MICHIGAN there in Cedar Point! MICHIGAN!</p><p>Fast forward one year. I get a 12th birthday card from someone in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mom, do I know anyone in Grand Rapids, Michigan? Yes, Lin, your dad. Oh, huh... I guess I'll put it on the pile...</p><p>Now, fast forward a number of decades. My mother is sick and dying in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I am there for her last breath. A year later, I am back in the fairy tale, back in Walnut Grove. I am being taken over by my mother, completely. I can feel her entering my body and mind in the forest with the birds. I am healing.</p><p>My fairy tale had some scary elements that I glossed over. I made a scene in 3rd grade on the bus, and I have been fearing my anger ever since. That set me on a course of regret and mistakes that would take a lifetime to overcome. But, I had many models. First was Mom. And the second was Laura Ingalls.</p><p>There is a fine line, it turns out, between historic nostalgia, and, we need to be careful to not gloss over this, indoctrinating anachronisms. So, I thought my elementary was "homey colonial", which is true. It is also true that it is not well maintained.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8-lP9nM7nKD5Auhj-M68P14Phj8Z85Qe3M66iqo64xWQBUfusb0ywn4wL_6r2R9HoCLhi3F3RrYHGz_vhlvocGU_O1zfhHu299JjSWwj2Q1U0A1LoH_e0u1BqCxYJvtszCM6HWsjfYvMIQ06HPK2z53kJtKflhmwVJcdgL8_7kp3w4Kb-As3KXX3ooU/s1000/winsor%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8-lP9nM7nKD5Auhj-M68P14Phj8Z85Qe3M66iqo64xWQBUfusb0ywn4wL_6r2R9HoCLhi3F3RrYHGz_vhlvocGU_O1zfhHu299JjSWwj2Q1U0A1LoH_e0u1BqCxYJvtszCM6HWsjfYvMIQ06HPK2z53kJtKflhmwVJcdgL8_7kp3w4Kb-As3KXX3ooU/s320/winsor%201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Four-square behind them authentic from my era, at least</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBjpgbHjf_7qBZ8FJyzzuHeG5Zs1WVKQ-ivSRdmQW9_TlB-0ZpfccupmLKvWoA8bVoPeJDoC9bBQH75zBR_bTVrPqZYREfebmJkRp6nMF2pLNoZe-1E3CGODojBdLWe7sDgAuSYkbPPqn6QigQR9Jirk2yhRr2CguZKCIBZ1QT2di29S2juFXlZFJO30/s480/winsor%202.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="480" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBjpgbHjf_7qBZ8FJyzzuHeG5Zs1WVKQ-ivSRdmQW9_TlB-0ZpfccupmLKvWoA8bVoPeJDoC9bBQH75zBR_bTVrPqZYREfebmJkRp6nMF2pLNoZe-1E3CGODojBdLWe7sDgAuSYkbPPqn6QigQR9Jirk2yhRr2CguZKCIBZ1QT2di29S2juFXlZFJO30/s320/winsor%202.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think there used to be a mosaic here, past the library and the 6th grade classroom. Pied piper?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiQgbbUy16BM3rSYmkZGqzYsw2fV_ygBjvhgdVUGPI8z7lNonDfOtTml4ihJIkBWYAVa5hQXundx55fmX0aQvzK-fv08giiVYfGBXEniLsEQbmJpDk_MpG126ybtFBdsvfYlWPwrwUb1sDZtgikRnWrvNiNXtT2kM-jJfUzB_MV8ns7kXu4IqCDDKGz0/s1000/winsor%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiQgbbUy16BM3rSYmkZGqzYsw2fV_ygBjvhgdVUGPI8z7lNonDfOtTml4ihJIkBWYAVa5hQXundx55fmX0aQvzK-fv08giiVYfGBXEniLsEQbmJpDk_MpG126ybtFBdsvfYlWPwrwUb1sDZtgikRnWrvNiNXtT2kM-jJfUzB_MV8ns7kXu4IqCDDKGz0/s320/winsor%203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Those closets used to have doors and you would hide in there during games.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi28YwhM91pStbG8WQODhKktVLddXxZ23huti42S8ubf_2gOV0U2wDYEQpD20lOob78hmFGQp_nkOkwldKRWnfvoVdgckoJ_XbogHABsSensnta37Hoexq6ZFqNfNEEumn_vw-zvdP7AtMUTjm6N0rziN31fug7G-faoyU7P1LDzFd_8V3u8EBGQ9Q6Wk/s388/winsor%204.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="388" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi28YwhM91pStbG8WQODhKktVLddXxZ23huti42S8ubf_2gOV0U2wDYEQpD20lOob78hmFGQp_nkOkwldKRWnfvoVdgckoJ_XbogHABsSensnta37Hoexq6ZFqNfNEEumn_vw-zvdP7AtMUTjm6N0rziN31fug7G-faoyU7P1LDzFd_8V3u8EBGQ9Q6Wk/s320/winsor%204.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sink where my BFF and I filled our mouths with water and then tried to talk.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkW9PmvxU3HIqTOe1xF-77Lp9sD3ACDs3d6_52kilkMw7q-CXFQl0WAgKJsdGB9cZDirVBZYpGclfxKdKPDi8VSCb1y2vxkjAdC85VfE3N21kcSh93QaoCSMyGf78YrNb4WoUpIFxIrKlVc8pXiFiKmx7FzcJ2faloFEy2MEUYg-AdfmNGMmkuSpjWug/s388/winsor%205.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="388" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkW9PmvxU3HIqTOe1xF-77Lp9sD3ACDs3d6_52kilkMw7q-CXFQl0WAgKJsdGB9cZDirVBZYpGclfxKdKPDi8VSCb1y2vxkjAdC85VfE3N21kcSh93QaoCSMyGf78YrNb4WoUpIFxIrKlVc8pXiFiKmx7FzcJ2faloFEy2MEUYg-AdfmNGMmkuSpjWug/s320/winsor%205.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Those stall door supports were just within reach if you stepped onto the toilets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqYKYmttLEJ6FiK6CQL9ms2Kk43sLnvNxHXulanziCsmyVpuk17JsLIdh0ZbX-3WLNYAUV4ezwCXF_nYs28-95lBhk-9X8UtCkF4mN3XgLr3IXpMRBMLGW5TNt-p1y6bEhubxRVJ5M38Vtn1Y0iDkYGkIg7g2B5mefDZEjgiRD1jUjYy2W5haXTx8HO8/s389/winsor%206.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="389" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqYKYmttLEJ6FiK6CQL9ms2Kk43sLnvNxHXulanziCsmyVpuk17JsLIdh0ZbX-3WLNYAUV4ezwCXF_nYs28-95lBhk-9X8UtCkF4mN3XgLr3IXpMRBMLGW5TNt-p1y6bEhubxRVJ5M38Vtn1Y0iDkYGkIg7g2B5mefDZEjgiRD1jUjYy2W5haXTx8HO8/s320/winsor%206.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Flooring from at least my era. Probably 1930s.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRwjjiBlwZ7J0Y8a9wbVd0t6KaYzE32w4A9e9pq1Y4wj8iDFswUtDUyr_a-byn0rOsJMtkrc7I4W0AHfpUSmSEsPrlwmMd3pC88FmhOZlkN6AkHuu9ZvTFgAWRojrSKnEt_tv4LNkTu4FsZKBPDl7P0dWWzHEQv-92ZEH5X7BEN6eynI040lH-1RzDZg/s388/winsor%207.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="388" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRwjjiBlwZ7J0Y8a9wbVd0t6KaYzE32w4A9e9pq1Y4wj8iDFswUtDUyr_a-byn0rOsJMtkrc7I4W0AHfpUSmSEsPrlwmMd3pC88FmhOZlkN6AkHuu9ZvTFgAWRojrSKnEt_tv4LNkTu4FsZKBPDl7P0dWWzHEQv-92ZEH5X7BEN6eynI040lH-1RzDZg/s320/winsor%207.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Drainpipe now cordoned off, and I think it was then, too. But...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqaC83BPuA8w7c8uwsC9IovT3L0Fh8IIph4wtAqlZoKNonywbr1QdaJ30QSdJAl7UlAZHkLmW05dH05CX20K-xWVRWQxYeiL4TRkXk4nmCWRe6RllzjvpgNS-6IdA6BoMbW5GiZI1yt3CRcEONcSynMQpY466wKBlt79LX207xJq4q6k3CdNJ0c-WChY/s388/winsor%208.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="388" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqaC83BPuA8w7c8uwsC9IovT3L0Fh8IIph4wtAqlZoKNonywbr1QdaJ30QSdJAl7UlAZHkLmW05dH05CX20K-xWVRWQxYeiL4TRkXk4nmCWRe6RllzjvpgNS-6IdA6BoMbW5GiZI1yt3CRcEONcSynMQpY466wKBlt79LX207xJq4q6k3CdNJ0c-WChY/s320/winsor%208.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hopscotch now painted instead of carved with a slate stone.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUav8BFOEiiln7YxMIVO7VcoeG9XWlDrYW2E8HInz-7IHUua1bGXQr7Au5GmgRqjMoclXjbM5tSPKLPCb-d__jFS_MplzFZOCSKaU1QoJJrJ9qKAaOXMrRDOUx5g06htDbiS8snMxd7KvYVo574i4_cqPgmKLXfMD_DG4aSr4lCu7ptaGpRYLxINUB4sI/s388/winsor%209.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="388" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUav8BFOEiiln7YxMIVO7VcoeG9XWlDrYW2E8HInz-7IHUua1bGXQr7Au5GmgRqjMoclXjbM5tSPKLPCb-d__jFS_MplzFZOCSKaU1QoJJrJ9qKAaOXMrRDOUx5g06htDbiS8snMxd7KvYVo574i4_cqPgmKLXfMD_DG4aSr4lCu7ptaGpRYLxINUB4sI/s320/winsor%209.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay, if there were hundreds of children outside nearly killing themselves, you probably wouldn't notice me at the top half of this drainpipe for a while, either</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rFqws0EwbSDD7ui8HuE_laTGO6COVab2VWJSmyzAjJduZEJ_IyX-X2eb0W7YMz19y8g9fdQzpAk0pT_O5bFmSHkGYiPvRZK4T8GHUgMq8bEf0LHpSGF6xZZpgWtpiDzz0UnxzeYPdgOlE0Q8NXCA56oULn3grlZRqHx-Tplqh1697jRPyCyCreJlYqs/s389/winsor%2010.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="389" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rFqws0EwbSDD7ui8HuE_laTGO6COVab2VWJSmyzAjJduZEJ_IyX-X2eb0W7YMz19y8g9fdQzpAk0pT_O5bFmSHkGYiPvRZK4T8GHUgMq8bEf0LHpSGF6xZZpgWtpiDzz0UnxzeYPdgOlE0Q8NXCA56oULn3grlZRqHx-Tplqh1697jRPyCyCreJlYqs/s320/winsor%2010.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These were the first grade classrooms with a view towards the kindergarten?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENv_vG_H-kXE9mxGhPl7IZIg4MUAXjSolOBOkFaon9B-wNEPLMGN7iqLcJGmA4Vnm3vj61-DLkctiW6DgDjkKETO8Qn-fqZ0AI5ORzRS5VWhYlFkjbPBUrxfxh7MZ4nfAkLrg_hC78-7janZMTqy9z2RVhKqxo19qfkhJb0Zqx1W4QKU_-CZxKXgUvFU/s388/winsor%2012.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="388" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENv_vG_H-kXE9mxGhPl7IZIg4MUAXjSolOBOkFaon9B-wNEPLMGN7iqLcJGmA4Vnm3vj61-DLkctiW6DgDjkKETO8Qn-fqZ0AI5ORzRS5VWhYlFkjbPBUrxfxh7MZ4nfAkLrg_hC78-7janZMTqy9z2RVhKqxo19qfkhJb0Zqx1W4QKU_-CZxKXgUvFU/s320/winsor%2012.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A great wall to play rattlesnake on.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzicYeJYMS_cWHurLmq3xzkF2P1fmoDI1nats1F40MtjsYmp0iqpPsH5xJ2TAyJr_5DyzKE0mmaGYUnUTnfeJ3cNvM6YjJBWAQg3S_7sVwjlh8cya3nLZ8z01mhyphenhyphenpIVPNne7vviQQeoTMhHDUHT2AUev3CyLvzGKci-7zA-wWIqYhpe9tasW1N2cpToIQ/s389/winsor%2013.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="389" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzicYeJYMS_cWHurLmq3xzkF2P1fmoDI1nats1F40MtjsYmp0iqpPsH5xJ2TAyJr_5DyzKE0mmaGYUnUTnfeJ3cNvM6YjJBWAQg3S_7sVwjlh8cya3nLZ8z01mhyphenhyphenpIVPNne7vviQQeoTMhHDUHT2AUev3CyLvzGKci-7zA-wWIqYhpe9tasW1N2cpToIQ/s320/winsor%2013.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Right side of building.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1WxPMbyG0Vf2Kx9DUSddmRZ-rbjMxZMRsyDrIdTs6OjnLgsAIeZPPQYGUMMJVPYQIkDDGotelPqsQIPmkUV3aJNZY37qhC31Iv0JUEge73HtwJvUapptK_2278u6L3ND7nn6cPPKTWs2Oo3Ejt2FijIbr-jNr6sFVmjNAkH8Uak5t4b4Lohp08kxpn4/s389/winsor%2014.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="389" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1WxPMbyG0Vf2Kx9DUSddmRZ-rbjMxZMRsyDrIdTs6OjnLgsAIeZPPQYGUMMJVPYQIkDDGotelPqsQIPmkUV3aJNZY37qhC31Iv0JUEge73HtwJvUapptK_2278u6L3ND7nn6cPPKTWs2Oo3Ejt2FijIbr-jNr6sFVmjNAkH8Uak5t4b4Lohp08kxpn4/s320/winsor%2014.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This must be the kindergarten room. Bathroom door was thick oak. I sat at the table behind the cardboard. Other door went to 1st? Closet?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFl7L_EbIq5PovD5SYV_qDyLL4hCIqCA8pGFBl2NB2Rv32z6t6Cfu5aU_IylBEPBgi86Q9iaq2kM5GTjPfVdk69LyG3O7W_IgffxlSPUdCWw5z8bVjSzYsrfdEol892lCpBW6JswUHlir79U6RtySBP-gbx-ThDWK1P6YuCL6vEDnQr8yrGK3qCOdvk4/s387/winsor%2015.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="387" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFl7L_EbIq5PovD5SYV_qDyLL4hCIqCA8pGFBl2NB2Rv32z6t6Cfu5aU_IylBEPBgi86Q9iaq2kM5GTjPfVdk69LyG3O7W_IgffxlSPUdCWw5z8bVjSzYsrfdEol892lCpBW6JswUHlir79U6RtySBP-gbx-ThDWK1P6YuCL6vEDnQr8yrGK3qCOdvk4/s320/winsor%2015.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, that hill with the orange cones and chain link fence? I'd pick up speed there and crash into the parked bus.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYTuROzUWjjn0zlNinT2Kb4sUbNQ28Qo3rynA4__ebt9Ldt_p5R8pmzSiJSkzUcK29xzab_hXebaUNvEFogdDX3dcScN1MrtM1elyJtV1ig2BdifaL3CKp3HVaG_UBxyYLmru-ukQL3TuhstDJ9PORKGgIAcm5aJId1KxrBxmIgEBUM2Yxs1J9JuOGn4/s384/winsor%2016.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="384" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYTuROzUWjjn0zlNinT2Kb4sUbNQ28Qo3rynA4__ebt9Ldt_p5R8pmzSiJSkzUcK29xzab_hXebaUNvEFogdDX3dcScN1MrtM1elyJtV1ig2BdifaL3CKp3HVaG_UBxyYLmru-ukQL3TuhstDJ9PORKGgIAcm5aJId1KxrBxmIgEBUM2Yxs1J9JuOGn4/s320/winsor%2016.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view if you were leaving on the bus.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxw61Ht34nkHrNznhjTNnO9O_2Uered-X9VF28J2UbXm_vicVBoGFaWUGR1rtQBv05GCdaGU1BvsHMePhK7NI1W__xrNUuw5061jel6ikbqfMU3QRKgpZj53cwGTnev2KoNSEYzsSCTd-733yMksJ1seDS5VoYy7v7D0g492luWeT8-YIsm52XBr5bwE/s383/winsor%2017.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="383" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxw61Ht34nkHrNznhjTNnO9O_2Uered-X9VF28J2UbXm_vicVBoGFaWUGR1rtQBv05GCdaGU1BvsHMePhK7NI1W__xrNUuw5061jel6ikbqfMU3QRKgpZj53cwGTnev2KoNSEYzsSCTd-733yMksJ1seDS5VoYy7v7D0g492luWeT8-YIsm52XBr5bwE/s320/winsor%2017.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The gym? No idea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctlLzf4mkpx9U4yYdGXdXhyphenhyphenhw7_WBpIOtfS8Kb2vtrtSVG3xYBH_VJkdrWgu4IZpcngbE2RYsJYk4P29APzU__l5sjcWKIb-tPkh1xNqXaqF-hc16prmhnnu7SsnWvGkBAI1O78OKqCKKGw1sRX-V8XFEzH6DdtLHtwF0AAakd2soB2t9H8qNWhh80cU/s1024/winsor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctlLzf4mkpx9U4yYdGXdXhyphenhyphenhw7_WBpIOtfS8Kb2vtrtSVG3xYBH_VJkdrWgu4IZpcngbE2RYsJYk4P29APzU__l5sjcWKIb-tPkh1xNqXaqF-hc16prmhnnu7SsnWvGkBAI1O78OKqCKKGw1sRX-V8XFEzH6DdtLHtwF0AAakd2soB2t9H8qNWhh80cU/s320/winsor.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In my day, those balls were made of actual, red rubber and were none too soft!</div><div><br /></div>I ended up in a faraway land, pre-internet, pre-social media, back when we had to either write letters or make toll calls. I returned here exactly once, in between Cleveland and Grand Rapids. I felt I no longer belonged there and that I had abandoned my friends. We had all moved on in one short year. I had changed; they were still the same. My elementary school and my friends were stuck in time...<div><br /></div><div>Then, my cousin took me back in the late 90s. She did a news report on a Christmas tree farm. I don't remember how we got there, we must have gone in backwards or something, but there I was, looking at the giant Christmas tree that we planted as a seedling. And then, finally, once again this year, Christmas tree now gone, key neighbors still there?!?! The house is renumbered. I met the owner, who was a young mother. I told her we used to keep baby birds and tadpoles in teacups in her garage. She humored me. Then, I moved on.</div><div><br /></div><div>And now, I am reconnecting with people from those bicentennial days! And, you know what? Puberty was not Cleveland's fault. Finding one's way through life is hard, whether you stay in one place or move all around. Moodiness is not on Grand Rapids. It was just a convenient scapegoat.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a great childhood and I was very impressive as a girl. And things went down the way they did. I accept that now. It helped make me who I am, and I am quite impressive!</div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-91906740759687049902023-11-10T08:06:00.002-05:002023-11-10T08:06:20.382-05:00Easy Ugly Sweater Tutorial - 3D Moose Wearing Glasses<p>Let's try something different today and make a post ahead of time. Let's plan for the holidays. Ugly sweater day. You know it's right around the corner. Well, here's an idea:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9C6ujDBAwTQ7Gez0_gZujaaocKx9zUeAaG0I22aL92mwDv1OZJ_ZnV_lPQqvB2g-fd312cqkIFyOZIJoyM-vtCemJVzETlgHZDvoHSX5NEhTbyxJcRrgT8fFSmrwcozwYAHreSBWyL-mK3NOV4fG0z3xhGUUIT2d0wrULzNu1LfyPIg1Pur3W_kYxwY/s960/moose%20shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="528" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9C6ujDBAwTQ7Gez0_gZujaaocKx9zUeAaG0I22aL92mwDv1OZJ_ZnV_lPQqvB2g-fd312cqkIFyOZIJoyM-vtCemJVzETlgHZDvoHSX5NEhTbyxJcRrgT8fFSmrwcozwYAHreSBWyL-mK3NOV4fG0z3xhGUUIT2d0wrULzNu1LfyPIg1Pur3W_kYxwY/s320/moose%20shirt.jpg" width="176" /></a></p>Why not make a Moose Shirt! With over-extended antlers, and plushy, 3D features such as giant googly eyes, soft pompom nose, and antler base bling! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9woJWefwPp_wmPOTiwECJbt8d49vwrHVCyMqW5Vke-PP6ztuYchps2ig3uC4gffwSGtvJbvEAHTHzpuyD8W-wZF-HybAAKhcY29OsTP2ziX5GGiykFlMYnEhfmRvhEALnEzmueW8U8oQFJKbJBMAK9SVKCS4RnZYPYE8FsXZeHHVrdd-WXYWeuGgtdA/s960/moose%20shirt%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="528" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9woJWefwPp_wmPOTiwECJbt8d49vwrHVCyMqW5Vke-PP6ztuYchps2ig3uC4gffwSGtvJbvEAHTHzpuyD8W-wZF-HybAAKhcY29OsTP2ziX5GGiykFlMYnEhfmRvhEALnEzmueW8U8oQFJKbJBMAK9SVKCS4RnZYPYE8FsXZeHHVrdd-WXYWeuGgtdA/s320/moose%20shirt%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div></div><br /><p>So, to create this ridiculous look, you will need:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Brown fabric paint/pink sparkle ears</li><li>Red pompom</li><li>Stiff brown and green felt</li><li>Tongue depressors or other wide, long flat wooden thing for antler support</li><li>Giant googly eyes</li><li>Fabric glue</li><li>Random matching headband as inspo</li></ul><p></p><p>You know what to do! Let's get to it!</p>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-3968155864140696782023-11-10T02:17:00.016-05:002023-11-10T18:14:07.664-05:00The Criminals Are the Ones Going After Teachers<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #212121; font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; white-space-collapse: collapse;">Once upon a time, it was a given that if you were at all capable of teaching, you received your one satisfactory observation each year, ending the year with an ever so carefree, satisfactory overall for the year. But then, someone said, wait, if so many schools are failing and yet every teacher or nearly so is satisfactory, well, that doesn't compute. Never mind free-will and oppositional defiance common to teens and ever-deteriorating influences! No! There was ONE study ONE TIME, never replicated, that showed a relation between teacher effectiveness and student achievement. It's the teachers' fault!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; white-space-collapse: collapse;">So, it’s the teachers that bear the onus of turning an educational corner while guiding students and parents from every corner of the planet, most experiencing turmoil in one way or another, while negotiating a new observation system that balances teaching to a rubric with high-stakes testing data. If you add an administrator breathing down your neck, exploiting every opportunity to deduct points from your rating and gives you zero credit for what you are doing, and, yeah, party’s over.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UDVxikcFblfffAqfmnp2PurWL9FKSL228_2UkpOn-qC0PSy_MeKsLssZwtKcuFubmA7gyLMhWKOdZDhWBdn-2FYHif004yyCZzfAIx8rVzQRc3hINqrn0RXUMateED4wO_ePwEn14z_mn7TD7tGSWEagIz3_Vy4IBMX2U1Hbw_RqESthJDktErC9-3c/s624/DOE%20version%20of%20HEDI%20matrix.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="624" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UDVxikcFblfffAqfmnp2PurWL9FKSL228_2UkpOn-qC0PSy_MeKsLssZwtKcuFubmA7gyLMhWKOdZDhWBdn-2FYHif004yyCZzfAIx8rVzQRc3hINqrn0RXUMateED4wO_ePwEn14z_mn7TD7tGSWEagIz3_Vy4IBMX2U1Hbw_RqESthJDktErC9-3c/s320/DOE%20version%20of%20HEDI%20matrix.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div>Technical jargon portion: The rating system that the "Great Thinkers" of government decided upon, currently has a matrix to determine what rating a teacher would get based on their observations, now known as "Measures of Teacher Practice" or "MOTP", and students' scores, now known as "Measures of Student Learning". Boy, do I want the job of naming these things! Someone has that job! Notice that it is possible to get a MOTP rating of "Ineffective" and a MOSL score of "Highly Effective". Yes, that is a possibility that the Great Thinkers anticipated! But, that means that students scored well on the state test in their ineffective teacher's subject. How can a teacher be teaching at an ineffective or developing level but her students show growth? Someone please explain this!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""roboto" , sans-serif" style="color: #212121;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But, that never happens, right? Well, no, it does. I know of what I speak. And, it happens year after year after year. I know this, too.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8RZCfMtPViH_jjb-hLfD4tA2M13LBDhvqAegMzNWTRunTP0xky288kaQCXUams_ZhCKiMu-qobVoUK32j4zu8mRF0GJx02ueP63qR95OBwySjmLeBFtQS4sMOOXwli7pB6fCAvFyZ0s/s1600/my+version+of+HEDI+matrix.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="624" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8RZCfMtPViH_jjb-hLfD4tA2M13LBDhvqAegMzNWTRunTP0xky288kaQCXUams_ZhCKiMu-qobVoUK32j4zu8mRF0GJx02ueP63qR95OBwySjmLeBFtQS4sMOOXwli7pB6fCAvFyZ0s/s320/my+version+of+HEDI+matrix.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-78af866a-7fff-c6a5-59d4-bb6c01d05c66"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">So, either the determination of the MOSL is defective, or the assessment of teaching is. But, no matter how byzantine and secretively the MOSL is calculated, one thing you can say:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"> it is numbers in a formula that is empirical and non-manipulatable</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span>Now, it is this same observation system that came out in 2014 and was immediately met with practical questions, like, how do teachers that teach gym, the arts, specialized classes, etc, get a measure of student learning. The answer was, we'll test the students. The next year, they stopped using the MOSL entirely, and then the following year, rather than test each subject to tie the MOSL to each teacher, teachers were now to chose a test they'd like to use, instead. Teachers could choose a certain demographic in their school and a test that is given by the state. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";">This means that a senior journalism teacher could select the 6th grade SWD math test if she taught in a 6-12 school. Kind of a mess, but you're still with me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Now let's talk about the MOTP. This was first implemented, in 2014, based on the 20 component, 4 domain Danielson rubric. The very next year, it was streamlined to 8 components in 4 domains. Those teachers who still have groups that take the state test (basically ELA and Math teachers in grades 3-8, and science in 4th and 8th), received advisory scores, as well, using their students' growth, as in 2014. Student surveys were supposed to be included in the ratings, but that never happened, although school's did pilot giving the surveys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In other words, they rolled out a new system without a great deal of feedback or forethought, and have been patching it ever since. But, still, there are problems integral to it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Somehow, the geniuses in District 24, at the time, all math masters, had my MOTP on the decline, while my MOSL was climbing. How? Well, that is a story for another day. Strap in, baby cakes, I'm about to explain why.</span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-9538486081296996662023-11-10T01:46:00.006-05:002024-03-11T01:00:25.842-04:00New Bedroom Rug<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWM5uHJAi54A6IpoLFwmiR3HFhRG17KojgDIXK_G8FR8IFjataq-SmHigzDY0G_KPgsUfJU3K-MtOVqKcn4uT7pbC_C1Cs_n2j74p6g2zXlL6yBQtgair8ETfm8Ur2jmFSQmgEylO5YDSDCm1uxkSkzkgyms_wQdseJy1IHYz-P3VnG94BJLzyux3xrk/s4080/20231109_162750.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWM5uHJAi54A6IpoLFwmiR3HFhRG17KojgDIXK_G8FR8IFjataq-SmHigzDY0G_KPgsUfJU3K-MtOVqKcn4uT7pbC_C1Cs_n2j74p6g2zXlL6yBQtgair8ETfm8Ur2jmFSQmgEylO5YDSDCm1uxkSkzkgyms_wQdseJy1IHYz-P3VnG94BJLzyux3xrk/s320/20231109_162750.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the size, I love the colors, I love <br />the ocean theme.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQF3X_a_C3B1rIr62QcLz2ve-wrZFqUdpqYNLDm20-pFniWv2ZnyJMRzmu-Uyxd9b8nHZig0WJwFw86ANiDs1_y8vsJlPV60lCKO6J9a9pG7eAVHS2d3PCF1ZxbyvrPmbKOJNc29jbUF9WIA2Ebr7qtal9dWa06mtS_Vb1BgsWJQxm36CR_tPOJd4tgQ/s4080/20231109_162802.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQF3X_a_C3B1rIr62QcLz2ve-wrZFqUdpqYNLDm20-pFniWv2ZnyJMRzmu-Uyxd9b8nHZig0WJwFw86ANiDs1_y8vsJlPV60lCKO6J9a9pG7eAVHS2d3PCF1ZxbyvrPmbKOJNc29jbUF9WIA2Ebr7qtal9dWa06mtS_Vb1BgsWJQxm36CR_tPOJd4tgQ/w150-h200/20231109_162802.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It has sparkle!</td></tr></tbody></table></div>And my final coup de ville for the bedroom, the rug refresh. So, it is a poorly advertised fact that I like to take trash to treasure. And, so, now Manhattan is coming to Queens, and Queens trash is pretty bougie recently. Take last Thursday, for example. I scored a rolling tri-level cart for Tootie Pie's room, and what looked to be a knock-off <a href="https://clairemurray.com/">Claire Murray</a>! With shimmer. Into the car they went. Too late, yet again, to claim the crystal lamp, alas! <p></p><p>Now, after lugging and unfolding, we discover why this gem was cast aside. A cat added texture, let's say... So now I need to decide between 3 options:</p><p>1) Leave as is because it will be under bed</p><p>2) Get crochet hook and start pulling from the back</p><p>3) Cut flush on front and hope for best?</p><p>Which option seems the most worthwhile? </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFgKds8MvgexmSdGU9LWsFxG9Eg7UhGuBivqTJOFbHzjPFBu5MDrRl6ALLxzyVXO54sQa2yfzClcuYYdR5yYGNAHvgUY3LXd8D44G0iYqbme-vacQZ0Pz-skrjOjGq_7Bk3zB8Z1iMz2CNBEmxv0t5QXQyOgyTZFyuXbSUBkpqwwCHnff-XXV1o4u9D4/s4080/20231109_162740.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFgKds8MvgexmSdGU9LWsFxG9Eg7UhGuBivqTJOFbHzjPFBu5MDrRl6ALLxzyVXO54sQa2yfzClcuYYdR5yYGNAHvgUY3LXd8D44G0iYqbme-vacQZ0Pz-skrjOjGq_7Bk3zB8Z1iMz2CNBEmxv0t5QXQyOgyTZFyuXbSUBkpqwwCHnff-XXV1o4u9D4/s320/20231109_162740.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So, what on earth was this beauty doing<br />in the trash? Well, there's this...</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-51632609672685237372023-11-02T11:56:00.008-04:002023-11-10T00:20:07.497-05:00How to Exterminate the Y-chromosome or Why We Need Science Education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGu6cPpGHg8uiwh2qtVGygwFHpSvP8g9ljK1iirlaov_Z94olrPrXggdxeAuKIFGjhBkc0U3qu_ryB8aoFP7602rLT54MV9kQG6C-DvrIHaXdMgE1YfKvlH8Mj09qIY84qd4lNXNGzixer45RnHRdWLqINJlhzDYCwPttzpCWTcP1CEsQPTgH3Eo96U48/s4158/ExquisiteU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3303" data-original-width="4158" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGu6cPpGHg8uiwh2qtVGygwFHpSvP8g9ljK1iirlaov_Z94olrPrXggdxeAuKIFGjhBkc0U3qu_ryB8aoFP7602rLT54MV9kQG6C-DvrIHaXdMgE1YfKvlH8Mj09qIY84qd4lNXNGzixer45RnHRdWLqINJlhzDYCwPttzpCWTcP1CEsQPTgH3Eo96U48/s320/ExquisiteU.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not recommended</div><br />Here is a poorly advertised fact: Women have the technology to wipe out the Y-chromosome. Uh-huh, yes. You see, when a sperm meets an egg, well, sometimes that sperm is X, male, and sometimes Y, female. The male ones get off to an early lead, but then they wear out, and women start to catch up to the point that it's a photo finish every time! Henry VIII really was very misguided; males determine the gender of offspring, currently. Unless...
There is no more 50/50 even split any longer. Meaning, we take one woman's egg, and another woman's egg, put them together and each time, you get XX, female. So, It's within the realm of possibility. It's an option. I guess men could technically merge two sperm to get a supermale, but where will they incubate him? That tech isn't invented yet.
So, knowing that, I have a few suggestions for improving the gender equality in language. Let's start with pussy, k? Pussy means weak, girly, effeminate. Balls means tough, rugged, manly. But, can we analyze these terms? Which one is stronger, a tiny canal that can accommodate a major cruise ship, or something so tender that they invented the jock strap before the helmet, people? Way before. So, from now on, when someone takes a risk, we're going to say "Wow, she's got a vagina!", and when someone cowers in fear, they are being a fucking ball. Just one, lopsided ball. What do we think?
So, men, watch yourselves! Better put some research into that human incubator, and, bonus, we can do away with childbirth! And, honey, think!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_zGY8WB-sZgBPrBP93iqSYQ-YX6dylc2h3eLRVNoZ61iJHjP8gI4UkNtP7Caug2QrUF_H5eAiMft_r2sFY9isaU4u-F2HQ54Kv2jKqRJsonRhi9MS80vdtITOGmczraZKKEuDrHTWl-NeXwFRngg_VlS9PZpUM4TXwVSi-6iUQ7gikBY5JDySPH6ffI/s300/fu.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_zGY8WB-sZgBPrBP93iqSYQ-YX6dylc2h3eLRVNoZ61iJHjP8gI4UkNtP7Caug2QrUF_H5eAiMft_r2sFY9isaU4u-F2HQ54Kv2jKqRJsonRhi9MS80vdtITOGmczraZKKEuDrHTWl-NeXwFRngg_VlS9PZpUM4TXwVSi-6iUQ7gikBY5JDySPH6ffI/s1600/fu.png" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So undainty!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, how to avoid this? Because, Lord knows we don't want to eradicate the word CONSENT from our language, nevermind the forever useless NON-CONSENT. Really, like you need to be explicitly told that you explicit consent? Really? Because we can avoid taking such drastic measures, but there are a few rules we need to abide by:</div><div><br /></div><div>Rule #1 - abolish the term "pussy" to indicate weak or inferior. The new word is "ball" or "ballsac". See above</div><div><br /></div><div>Rule #2 - Equal pay. NOW!</div><div><br /></div><div>Rule #3 - Hands off my body. If a life cannot be sustained without a womb, then it isn't a life, is it?</div><div><br /></div><div>Any more things to add, dear readers?</div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-78281055174504261072023-11-01T20:17:00.008-04:002023-11-02T21:01:26.701-04:00Night Side Table Refurbish<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6npNz8bhC6g80tfMEyudgyL7wSFvM0NSLSOXMQD8M9prr2Ej4WVFgfhQ63qdIejTamSuqquCztlFhnc362GXjNOKd5quFbvjQWM6EeQfF1Bjfe5LrPP1JsxlizGwZ0k_11wW6LCXBBA3pu8M-Dc_7aFQoC1qCbQC5z6vc8hX4MGVzzwEjRD508pNzaVQ/s1920/new%20shelf.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6npNz8bhC6g80tfMEyudgyL7wSFvM0NSLSOXMQD8M9prr2Ej4WVFgfhQ63qdIejTamSuqquCztlFhnc362GXjNOKd5quFbvjQWM6EeQfF1Bjfe5LrPP1JsxlizGwZ0k_11wW6LCXBBA3pu8M-Dc_7aFQoC1qCbQC5z6vc8hX4MGVzzwEjRD508pNzaVQ/s320/new%20shelf.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAioqHdXNFFYdh0I4x-h7-Vxl63ziKOCEUAW0vuIfJo4CXX-vYeIdPyKzovlkvDDK726bs2CYVluaPgjpUL3apseLYkNe7hPncPVDwV1aK32PsnN2lMMqa5agbI9RJYztMOQZlq5uTDVcPC-A8kR90yPjgxOECp8KbaRX46wWxbmAQ4CeAakdHPrXyoVg/s1920/stained%20glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAioqHdXNFFYdh0I4x-h7-Vxl63ziKOCEUAW0vuIfJo4CXX-vYeIdPyKzovlkvDDK726bs2CYVluaPgjpUL3apseLYkNe7hPncPVDwV1aK32PsnN2lMMqa5agbI9RJYztMOQZlq5uTDVcPC-A8kR90yPjgxOECp8KbaRX46wWxbmAQ4CeAakdHPrXyoVg/s320/stained%20glass.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">Tootie Pie's Gloucester, England, handmade, stained glass sunrise. Handmade by Tootie Pie. Obviously, still some wood gluing and paint matching still on to-do list.</span></p><p>I get to walk around my neighborhood now, and of course, there is much to discover. Like, this cute little black wall table that has inlaid mother-of-pearl and hand-painted detailing. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNS_zrqjYF4qZJiNy8ZsCSgS91bkAN0cBtobN4YFPw99GI11ClHeFv-SpX-Ug4YHsUYKM3fF4copL8N2wB3nXFC-VV1IeVTvGovfyUlmzRDywRpiBg3MLbSulHjsR8QjqYftZrhS8901LrSVmkNQDW4NBRCdU57IpsMFTGELk3DT0vo31sg2-wxa0Fm8/s4080/20231004_145325.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNS_zrqjYF4qZJiNy8ZsCSgS91bkAN0cBtobN4YFPw99GI11ClHeFv-SpX-Ug4YHsUYKM3fF4copL8N2wB3nXFC-VV1IeVTvGovfyUlmzRDywRpiBg3MLbSulHjsR8QjqYftZrhS8901LrSVmkNQDW4NBRCdU57IpsMFTGELk3DT0vo31sg2-wxa0Fm8/w150-h200/20231004_145325.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj8T8u0U0hVn23UkxgTKffZ_8fY2ag5q32JP810YLAoBos5KzTU6e_mWpfBrXbyIve_VdNIYm7EmlLnXyM7eJ_ImJQH2G2nhMjnUChrjr2VhoWy7nr8LJyis_Snj9qs5pMLdCaeEiAvmZFlG1U-EsacA-DY05BXsTTVBu_yYzFdLroWO0PNrIvJ_9pwQ/s4080/20231004_144430.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj8T8u0U0hVn23UkxgTKffZ_8fY2ag5q32JP810YLAoBos5KzTU6e_mWpfBrXbyIve_VdNIYm7EmlLnXyM7eJ_ImJQH2G2nhMjnUChrjr2VhoWy7nr8LJyis_Snj9qs5pMLdCaeEiAvmZFlG1U-EsacA-DY05BXsTTVBu_yYzFdLroWO0PNrIvJ_9pwQ/w150-h200/20231004_144430.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj8T8u0U0hVn23UkxgTKffZ_8fY2ag5q32JP810YLAoBos5KzTU6e_mWpfBrXbyIve_VdNIYm7EmlLnXyM7eJ_ImJQH2G2nhMjnUChrjr2VhoWy7nr8LJyis_Snj9qs5pMLdCaeEiAvmZFlG1U-EsacA-DY05BXsTTVBu_yYzFdLroWO0PNrIvJ_9pwQ/s4080/20231004_144430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-g_vHuW9wfwM-9_oZX32hv1mIvtYTWdYeIXbfyF3gVNOMhYmw5zMXY-DPPkyrSCykuKIFgHCKWQqexX3gAVpZFIs93hT9aT7uSyXjY_zWKweiL4W4eJkrOt5_US_pj4qbVCOv7biPDXfpOL2uG15xWGz3wZbXGxpR6b6Vv9Sw8i9x3JrBr7WS53BnwM/s4080/20231004_144456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-g_vHuW9wfwM-9_oZX32hv1mIvtYTWdYeIXbfyF3gVNOMhYmw5zMXY-DPPkyrSCykuKIFgHCKWQqexX3gAVpZFIs93hT9aT7uSyXjY_zWKweiL4W4eJkrOt5_US_pj4qbVCOv7biPDXfpOL2uG15xWGz3wZbXGxpR6b6Vv9Sw8i9x3JrBr7WS53BnwM/w150-h200/20231004_144456.jpg" width="150" /></a></div></div></div><br /><p>Pretty dirty when I first found her. But, to find such beauty tossed casually aside! So I washed it off with soap and water and looked like this when it dried. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjoDHbeFd0dBFzjGZ2jEYFhJ3X-BAG_IL_U_kC3mNUMBw2UlwXQhgOKQNvsKc-TEEYjASbCd5je7Zc8Vu4fbRP72Z-ZXE41giWoF68R2fWUwrNyuFGaw4teFIPoODlUgdx_iM2jn8dnKwDyRNcyRLluLhjx8QyTsBOsRK4oi6OucbWE6y-8gP8KY-B00/s1920/smeary.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjoDHbeFd0dBFzjGZ2jEYFhJ3X-BAG_IL_U_kC3mNUMBw2UlwXQhgOKQNvsKc-TEEYjASbCd5je7Zc8Vu4fbRP72Z-ZXE41giWoF68R2fWUwrNyuFGaw4teFIPoODlUgdx_iM2jn8dnKwDyRNcyRLluLhjx8QyTsBOsRK4oi6OucbWE6y-8gP8KY-B00/s320/smeary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What I think happened is those small, hand-painted flowers smeared across the surface? So, after taking off the support, I took out the trusty bottle of TSP, and then it looked like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQ_Pk925ZsezHFxdGJzvY3PtePOYuBntTVO22ldgswU8bk2R6MIw8A90eGVw_ahJoBOKHzxB-uyVE8BbKP2A2hltKeGzAPGfxXYxeaUGnWcooWUPhgJ7NIGLWAk7vN7J5n3gYzkMIS1CZjlklOyZEkdHn7PzRM0x1AOjmsFnjmnGTYXo5VrHtVtYY3Zk/s1920/cleaner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQ_Pk925ZsezHFxdGJzvY3PtePOYuBntTVO22ldgswU8bk2R6MIw8A90eGVw_ahJoBOKHzxB-uyVE8BbKP2A2hltKeGzAPGfxXYxeaUGnWcooWUPhgJ7NIGLWAk7vN7J5n3gYzkMIS1CZjlklOyZEkdHn7PzRM0x1AOjmsFnjmnGTYXo5VrHtVtYY3Zk/s320/cleaner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now we're starting to see potential. Now to add gloss. First, a nice rub down with wood oil, then linseed. </div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-26629258211967031112023-10-31T02:44:00.013-04:002023-11-10T01:48:16.031-05:00Boo! Another Halloween costume! 2023 Version of Melody Ellis, American Girl<p>Happy Halloween! OMG, tomorrow/today's going to be long if we need to get candy after school and ballet but before too late. Okay, so, this year's theme is Melody Ellis, the 1960s American Doll. Here she is:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RCVVxMET8ACrFs4-hr6i8lcfJrWhrRJSlPfkLjDuq8uuZcXZr1iSFSYVeGkreHHsjKhpswtgqJ3b6vNtzcU4seQw3ICMeepPc6B4PRhEZzkzTUYfWqSGvPQuTYcQKwrIDPrglopTG7EqljGkmjsmu5kMhyphenhyphenM_P524vafMnMehmmZJJ0kJeU9dtYFNHKc/s2700/Melody.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1756" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RCVVxMET8ACrFs4-hr6i8lcfJrWhrRJSlPfkLjDuq8uuZcXZr1iSFSYVeGkreHHsjKhpswtgqJ3b6vNtzcU4seQw3ICMeepPc6B4PRhEZzkzTUYfWqSGvPQuTYcQKwrIDPrglopTG7EqljGkmjsmu5kMhyphenhyphenM_P524vafMnMehmmZJJ0kJeU9dtYFNHKc/s320/Melody.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay, so, now, we got the eyewear (not shown) just right, missed the colors a bit, and never figured out a purse. But, she will have something to hold.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIR6inIxa1iUHkr6-poiryE-mi9aU4Z7-9dMoF_vmvb2fqJ_xq29yHra49XIaoVmcJ4I71bfQ1y5LuJtWMVeOzhdDwRzd2CFioQdmcIody-RFAXyhiA_PTahz1tJePP53Nv9RcebbXloHNC5qNjZJ51iOEemTB7WXZ0fvO2EOYee_S_BOv3hQ58QyF_A/s4080/20231025_103847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIR6inIxa1iUHkr6-poiryE-mi9aU4Z7-9dMoF_vmvb2fqJ_xq29yHra49XIaoVmcJ4I71bfQ1y5LuJtWMVeOzhdDwRzd2CFioQdmcIody-RFAXyhiA_PTahz1tJePP53Nv9RcebbXloHNC5qNjZJ51iOEemTB7WXZ0fvO2EOYee_S_BOv3hQ58QyF_A/s320/20231025_103847.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div>Front after handpainting coat #45...</div><div><br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdwdEMr2dG_a6UmSgUb7Ffaw9e8k_cJK9Bb31UdsPtNR4WGYT3ZsSkDz240ieVNL29SFGAILDtnTL-mYEns7pL7KY0yVSQhYkOOaD8VmnkIVUyVL5Fu9hK3vaV6L7ByT3p3bBkVAIF1QzZlMSCAYnKHpnqcfenGQJVmLw-XrlzLnjuiagTWAXVuc3ZPY/s4080/20231031_020758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdwdEMr2dG_a6UmSgUb7Ffaw9e8k_cJK9Bb31UdsPtNR4WGYT3ZsSkDz240ieVNL29SFGAILDtnTL-mYEns7pL7KY0yVSQhYkOOaD8VmnkIVUyVL5Fu9hK3vaV6L7ByT3p3bBkVAIF1QzZlMSCAYnKHpnqcfenGQJVmLw-XrlzLnjuiagTWAXVuc3ZPY/w176-h235/20231031_020758.jpg" width="176" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">We strayed away from the bows (there is ONE at the collar now), and filled in with cheap bling to detract from the uneven application of 4 coats of paint. Next to shoes, looking like a headstone, is an album (not to size).</div><div><br /></div><div>So, are you ready? Album front visible here. Glasses are spot on. Socks are on point. Shoes patented but not yet blinged. We sorted the hat to look less Carol Burnett and more 60s after the photo: pulled it way down. Still refusing the upflip-do. Should I spray down her hair with water and set it in rollers for the a.m.? Child abuse, you say? I will get an up-ending, you say? Kay.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAk7-rqVnKY6EpwA7Z2FvXuBV7LbYqPKNlr0UdXa7UaKkGqZxhpqpUmtSqIYvG5hafAK8KhIecWCW5tmhcLNtEahnlC5q04s-0WQMCYhN0i3SivXsHF9bVWE0adrRDtGy78YuACwGdW68b9pnQaltkvNSP-qf6zV7SIUiIBP1uB4F5-V9Ja7uaVReje0/s1920/melody1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAk7-rqVnKY6EpwA7Z2FvXuBV7LbYqPKNlr0UdXa7UaKkGqZxhpqpUmtSqIYvG5hafAK8KhIecWCW5tmhcLNtEahnlC5q04s-0WQMCYhN0i3SivXsHF9bVWE0adrRDtGy78YuACwGdW68b9pnQaltkvNSP-qf6zV7SIUiIBP1uB4F5-V9Ja7uaVReje0/s320/melody1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fully worn without jewels on shoes. Red, white and blue button worn, but not poppin! Too much going on with this print, but the album cover looks tropical, so she's on theme...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2tmzvC6C3hAaFktLQGnoAnF8ITDNeUpxpqQkXO6WnT3GbawOruyqtrfMRwMAhpNn6fNFWGRY9eW_jygmvmpnpkbs4eOclJ2MEa1oYv1pdsHS98jFm3whaX20ZHwbjltYFxd8tvVad_dO7w90YDHAchBdXe_TEnCNIxpV2Wi1VVelVBezJ7hmm62dYTU/s4080/20231028_132250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2tmzvC6C3hAaFktLQGnoAnF8ITDNeUpxpqQkXO6WnT3GbawOruyqtrfMRwMAhpNn6fNFWGRY9eW_jygmvmpnpkbs4eOclJ2MEa1oYv1pdsHS98jFm3whaX20ZHwbjltYFxd8tvVad_dO7w90YDHAchBdXe_TEnCNIxpV2Wi1VVelVBezJ7hmm62dYTU/s320/20231028_132250.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I guess I never got a picture of the dress before I added green. Bonus project underneath, because now I need to paint the back!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the mock-up copy of her brothers' new album. Working out the colors. She is delivering it to Barry himself. They've known each other almost her whole life. (okay, I'm really deviating from the story now).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfZ1uFefGagZZWgxYKQeUmw80VZ7_aNzJ3Rs_DxvDO9oSF12-AOrrExCsZEKctg7BcXp2UgX0mf7Mk8tW6eJuvWoYxmHLYzYBDbCQDjxtfEGZK70hpHktfc2Jz_3F5CdnxIrwRWvMpj-5pmvRW4wHjS6043ohygZLEBI7s-o9Y1Uch-3HdgvhePC6Ves/s4080/20231031_032034.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfZ1uFefGagZZWgxYKQeUmw80VZ7_aNzJ3Rs_DxvDO9oSF12-AOrrExCsZEKctg7BcXp2UgX0mf7Mk8tW6eJuvWoYxmHLYzYBDbCQDjxtfEGZK70hpHktfc2Jz_3F5CdnxIrwRWvMpj-5pmvRW4wHjS6043ohygZLEBI7s-o9Y1Uch-3HdgvhePC6Ves/s320/20231031_032034.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCasSfhl3zpk0hW86IWDURoDtag0HGKYlu-QOuqnxPfhjpnhw51SEfWRfr3LoURbQoguPFCB3t4vnkyolLtxTHtmXarVAWvobqeyCp7kgo-9KZ-sJlxa9gafxZKflOo4MFDlTBMfk8ui_y6TA3L2E1-e4wUDfmtN-JXeCHHOYxEgNI5BssSvXz-jihfQg/s4080/20231031_032057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCasSfhl3zpk0hW86IWDURoDtag0HGKYlu-QOuqnxPfhjpnhw51SEfWRfr3LoURbQoguPFCB3t4vnkyolLtxTHtmXarVAWvobqeyCp7kgo-9KZ-sJlxa9gafxZKflOo4MFDlTBMfk8ui_y6TA3L2E1-e4wUDfmtN-JXeCHHOYxEgNI5BssSvXz-jihfQg/s320/20231031_032057.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back has pointers on messed up coloration on album cover and an address. All in my stroke-afflicted attempt at 1960s handwriting. I think that's a fail. Should the cover be bi- or tri-colored plus black? Add a border or leave edges free? Groove Records obviously a placeholder for an actual label. I think Motown will want the top half, and they've already put them there. Might swap colors there. Too much emphasis on the label.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DpUIg6Jq6VyTr9JXS4VRifkpVmy4DycOyYaRhfKo16IE0sxU0ImvoJuEdB8tQoQ3V7i-OG6tXxXiTraLh8mcTJ_GQ6S1dr80GUyHViGdGfOhmeu45_74VtLWRZqLwp3GrimSamNxgo82SmLq8fXDfGdphtiZF4-nFW77JgDCynLNY7w5rVT4qf1SYtc/s5472/P1033513.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5472" data-original-width="3648" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DpUIg6Jq6VyTr9JXS4VRifkpVmy4DycOyYaRhfKo16IE0sxU0ImvoJuEdB8tQoQ3V7i-OG6tXxXiTraLh8mcTJ_GQ6S1dr80GUyHViGdGfOhmeu45_74VtLWRZqLwp3GrimSamNxgo82SmLq8fXDfGdphtiZF4-nFW77JgDCynLNY7w5rVT4qf1SYtc/s320/P1033513.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bling about 50% visible in this photo. It is now physically impossible to stand far enough back from Tootie Pie indoors to take a complete body shot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, so do you know how hard it is to find a houndstooth mod dress in shades of turquoise, green and yellow, maybe? Well, I never encountered one, and I live in thrift shoppers utopia. Anyhow, with the button and shades, I probably should have gone with turquoise for the shoes and I could have figured something out better for the hat. Well, that didn't happen and the shoes are popping! IMHO. Good night, and Happy Halloween!</div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-9938677185858522872023-10-29T13:09:00.004-04:002023-11-10T03:18:10.676-05:00Surviving a 3020a - There are no Downsides! New to the Teaching Profession? Read This!Throughout my years in the school system of New York City, I have listened to the adage that the elders are wise. I listened to them, those older teachers, and of the future they foretold, and I heeded the lessons they shared. If you have been served with 3020a papers and you are flabbergasted: your job is immensely harder. Since I WAS prepared, years in advance, I documented EVERYTHING, and the administration were as much amateurs at lying as at having a clue about teacher effectiveness. There are some helpful tips even if you are just learning of the smear campaign (specifically, the section on "preponderance of evidence"), but the best defense is a long trail of evidence. Never let a verbal agreement go undocumented in writing. Your new best friend is, "per our conversation" and, "Please advise if anything I have documented is incorrect or disputed".<br />
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The good news is that most administrations expect a rote process and are taking the path of least resistance. You CAN win if you are willing to put in the work.<br />
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<b>Preponderance of Evidence - Your New Full-Time Job</b><br />
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First of all, the 3020-a is a "preponderance of evidence" hearing. I am not a lawyer, and nothing that I post should ever be seen as a replacement for valid legal advice, but, from a layperson's understanding, this means that whoever has the most evidence, wins. So, you need to document everything. My state is a single-party state, meaning it is legal to audio record with only one (as opposed to all) party's knowledge. Obviously, this, again, is not legal advice, but in my case, that information could have been crucial. I asked the administrators' directly if I was being targeted, and that I felt targeted, and countered every argument to no avail, all on tape. Still got 'em, in fact. <br />
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There will be charges brought. Read through them. In my service of 3020a papers, I was referred to as "Jane Doe", without it having established my actual name (like a form letter). Incompetence on the DOE's part is a good omen; already they're showing the lack of attention that you will exploit. Write down everything you remember about each event listed. Think of names of students, paraprofessionals, parents, etc, that could contradict these charges. Specificity matters, but if you can't come up with a name, write down as many clues as possible. For example, I built an offensive case, as a backup, and gathered intel as I received it. Having all potential "witnesses" in one central file helped me piece together dirt. In some cases, the information was as vague as 'Joe, lives in Long Island, talk to Jennifer about him", but as I gathered more information, it became a rolodex of phone numbers and email addresses. This, in my case, has so-far proven to not be germane, but it was therapeutic during the beginning phase when I was still in a state of limbo. Go through old emails, searching for the administrators that are involved. This will remind you of events in the past, as well as provide crucial evidence, as it did me. An administrator had written in her personal log, presented as proof at my hearing, that I was absent for a TIP meeting, but I found an old email where I contacted her on the date in question asking her whereabouts, meaning I was at the meeting but she wasn't. The more educated you become about the case, the better.<br />
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I kept my evidence stored on a cloud drive, but I also kept hard copies in a binder for the hearing. Get organized and stay organized. I had kept a harassment log that included links to email communication or photographic evidence. I kept a rebuttal document with each charge, and each point refuted with proof. In many cases, the evidence was the administrator's own words. For example, she would write that "Many questions were low-level and could be answered in only one way", but her evidence was contradictory: "You asked why is the denominator 1" or "Is there another way to do this". Another common problem was vague comments. One of my favorites was "lesson lagged or was rushed", which besides not being helpful, was also pulled from a data bank of possible characteristics of "ineffective", which indicated that she worked from "ineffective" backwards, looking up things to write on my observation reports on the internet. Yes, I googled some of this genius' favorite phrases. She neglected to read the data bank, unfortunately, because if she had, she may have seen the disclaimer that the ideas were not meant as replacement for true, low-inference evidence, but rather as a training tool. It is tricky to implement changes if the problem is not identified! Some of the evidence she used to justify an ineffective rating was used as an example of effective rating on the Danielson rubric. Please re-read that sentence, because I'm sure you need to. I also noted patterns in the assistant principal's comments, and at one point she obviously started from a previously completed observation rather than a blank form, because she forgot to change the lesson's objective. She thought I wouldn't pick up on her alternating identical observation reports with different dates and objectives. We're not dealing with masterminds, here. When asked about it, she lied, and we exploited that to the utmost! She would note that I didn't identify pre-requisites or didn't have high order questions, and I rebutted it with the lesson plan that I sent via email after the observation. It is tiny things like this that collectively will win your case. Remember, they've been half-assing this. They want to tick the boxes and say that they followed protocol. It is your job to point out that they didn't.<br />
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<b>The Lawyer - Find Your Team</b><br />
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I think a fallacy held among non-legal population that a lawyer will take care of everything. This is your case, and the lawyer can only use what you bring to the table. You will need to do work. In my case, I kept the names of those elders who had 3020-a charges before me in my rolodex, my lawyershe was able to look up the transcripts and come up with possible strategies. For example, one of my former coworkers argued that the observations were completed by only one administrator, which the hearing officer noted in the decision as a reason for the favorable decision. We used this strategy, too. It will help the lawyer get a feel for who he or she will be dealing with. We discussed our message and how to best present this message. In my case, the message was that I was a decent teacher, not perfect, that tried her best, but couldn't overcome the administration's bias against me. And the important thing was that it was true, and I wholeheartedly believed this. The other obvious pattern that was found in the previous teachers' cases was, of course, they were all experienced (read: well-paid).<br />
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If there is a change in your representation, make sure that the new lawyer has read the entire file. As a cautionary tale, this happened to the DOE's case, and the new lawyer didn't verify that the observations included in the charges were ALL of the observations, which they weren't. The DOE did not include certain, more positive, observations, and there must have been a reason, but in the hand-off, there was a lack of communication and the incoming lawyer assumed the charged observations must have included every observation, and the look on his face when we entered the uncharged observations made the process almost bearable. Lawyers can only do so much. You have to make your own luck.<br />
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Do not feel as if you must do as if your lawyer is telling you. They can advise, but the ultimate decision about your case should be done by you. If your lawyer is trying to coerce you, make your chapter leader and district representative aware. In my case, I wanted to follow the tact of the state law that requires districts to first have a board or PEP vote on whether to pursue a 3020-a, which NYC decided, "nah", and it's just always been this way. There was a decision in Staten Island by Judge Desmond Green, regarding this 2590 state law. I wanted my lawyer's opinion on this, and rather than face the issue directly, it seemed to me that she was offended that I was asking. I also sought counsel outside of the UFT, from teachers who'd been through the process, speaking with private attorneys and friends I had made who were involved in activism in the union and the like. I have always made it my business to cultivate the acquaintance of rabble-rousers. Perhaps that is why I was singled out, but I have quite a few theories. The good people will only be too willing to help. They are a good sounding board for your ideas. Talk it out as much as you need to with people from various perspectives. Obviously, you need to choose these people wisely. You can use confidants that you know are turncoats to your advantage, as I did, to convey certain information to the administration. If you need devious tricks, ask them for it!<br />
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My lawyer also believed in the beginning that I had made a tactical error in allow the administration to video tape a lesson. Every year, I opted for this, and longed for proof that either they were, or I was, crazy. I was pretty adamant that it was a good thing, and it ended up being key in my case. Finally, it wasn't my word versus hers. If you are still in the classroom and still being observed, I would consider (talk with a lawyer) audio taping your instruction, but this is tricky legal territory. Not only did the video(s) debunk the claims on the observation form, but when asked about a specific incident that didn't appear on the tape, my principal again decided to lie, and said that there was a break in the tape and the incident must have occurred during the time where she "turned off the camera", and even, that "you could see I was getting tired [of videotaping]". That came back to haunt the principal and the videographer (the observing supervisor) because if she had indeed gotten tired and stopped videoing and then restarted, the result would have left the second video with the same date stamp as the first, but a slightly later start time. But, this was not the case; the second video had a date some weeks later, and ironically, it was the date that the observation report was written. It was a simple matter of noting that the videos were obviously from the same lesson (everyone was wearing the same thing in both videos), and the reason the date stamp on the second video was different was because she edited the one video she took and took out a portion, and saved the end portion as the second video. Arcane stuff, but crucial.<br />
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Despite our differences, my legal representative and I had a very good working relationship in the end. Understand your lawyer's role, and understand that it is your job and right to make sure they are doing it to your standards.<br />
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<b>Strategy - Stay Cool, You Got This</b><br />
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You've decided on the narrative, and you've looked for evidence that supports this narrative. Now, regardless of your strategy, you must look helpful and willing to improve. I had a right to be angry; administration was unfairly targeting me and it made my life a living hell. But, the hearing is not the forum for venom. You are an educator, and that is a career that no one chooses lightly. Showing that person, the one who loves children, is tantamount. Also, the best narrative is one that isn't completely one-sided; my lawyer told me that one. There are always three versions of a story and the arbitrator knows the truth lies in the middle somewhere. If both sides are diametric opposites, it is difficult to see what actually happened, so tell the officer the truth. If some of the charges are based in fact, say so. On such and such day, yeah, I was having an off day or a made a bad judgement call or whatever. In my situation, the few specific, low-inference comments she wrote were factual. I framed the events as rare occurrences that I dealt with and learned from.<br />
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In the end, my lawyer convinced me to stay high, and let them wallow down below. I didn't take the offensive as a strategy, as much as I wanted to. I told myself I would do that later if I needed to, if there was a negative decision in the case, and I needed to take it to federal court. My counsel got my administration to contradict each other, but most importantly, she got the observing AP to lash out briefly in anger. It looks very, very, very bad when a person cannot control their hatred and anger. Do not do this. Their lawyer will try to provoke you, so if you feel yourself getting heated, ask your lawyer to take a break. Staying level headed will be your biggest challenge. I was friendly and helpful to the point where I offered copies to opposing counsel in front of the arbitrator. Judges are human, and if they like you, they can't help but side with you. Educators put on shows every day, and your job now relies on this honed acting ability. Don't lose the faith. You got this.<br />
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<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-67328609113821740422023-10-28T22:06:00.015-04:002023-11-01T19:15:01.209-04:00Easy Tutorial - Starburst Mirrors<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oRG2cCxl4G0vzzGTl0Il6y1U0N5a_3ay0rT1Q1rzkwXIk0Js0OD8kLr5OijdJ1748_hTw9kJECOE_sY79tRQlCCNx6LKZF_kKTCRuYZh9gPQ_CEcH41HTzkLFOenXXzQ0xcT_x2niILp1tZDJUMp3tPEar5PYvt4_FLyRTWxQoBJuYKrvVIAxNqIh7Q/s4080/20231029_121503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oRG2cCxl4G0vzzGTl0Il6y1U0N5a_3ay0rT1Q1rzkwXIk0Js0OD8kLr5OijdJ1748_hTw9kJECOE_sY79tRQlCCNx6LKZF_kKTCRuYZh9gPQ_CEcH41HTzkLFOenXXzQ0xcT_x2niILp1tZDJUMp3tPEar5PYvt4_FLyRTWxQoBJuYKrvVIAxNqIh7Q/s320/20231029_121503.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Picture is intentionally framed to show a peek of the beautiful hot pink silk saree I got a Goodwill Outlet (mmmmhhhhmmmm, you heard that right), where you buy BY THE POUND! Due to elaborate beading, it weighed 2 lbs! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7RHwIljndwJfbzB4H7XRZChZYG6hDujkQoU2Ba8zDJq8PBcamM8g4GtKIeIkuNvwSEkIPh2q9jn2CYZ9B1o4kVB6QMSzI28Snyyhf2wiUjOJUWsNNOOBSMOopP_pQHjuBFlE_0i0qD2bp4RTzjtQA3ebqWQzsaKsApMVPDVEkWcZVdpDkUn02uvXxmY/s4080/20231029_125943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7RHwIljndwJfbzB4H7XRZChZYG6hDujkQoU2Ba8zDJq8PBcamM8g4GtKIeIkuNvwSEkIPh2q9jn2CYZ9B1o4kVB6QMSzI28Snyyhf2wiUjOJUWsNNOOBSMOopP_pQHjuBFlE_0i0qD2bp4RTzjtQA3ebqWQzsaKsApMVPDVEkWcZVdpDkUn02uvXxmY/s320/20231029_125943.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And, I think new to this blog, my Bjorn Winblaad print and matching starburst mirrors!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Yes, again. Starburst mirrors again. This time, they didn't match and many of the mirrors had long since disappeared. But, I might have paid $2 for a bag of 5. Spray paint on hand, tape on hand, tarp on hand, mirrors on hand. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpJdI9eDx-m_sYuxWeJmrHFJu7ZBIlS8R_zmBZojctRnbIhoSRrzUfovstMxKdHfRUVGmyfYEjBlUC1Vb9YVgte7jcFkN_E72yI7WTyDbCwUnYR7TjsIpofHb3YL9rwnxwkESnWVM2mDlhQQi_d625gXBXGovOnnrIqsArr_o2ZcshbaH4HsM3571CHg/s4080/20231027_201638.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpJdI9eDx-m_sYuxWeJmrHFJu7ZBIlS8R_zmBZojctRnbIhoSRrzUfovstMxKdHfRUVGmyfYEjBlUC1Vb9YVgte7jcFkN_E72yI7WTyDbCwUnYR7TjsIpofHb3YL9rwnxwkESnWVM2mDlhQQi_d625gXBXGovOnnrIqsArr_o2ZcshbaH4HsM3571CHg/s320/20231027_201638.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tape protects what's left of the mirrors</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZu6MyRIjUt6uMVCr7nieHGRCpepGFFnI_6iPzzAN3hkRuv87sw0-iiOYSAIcV4jxTsot0YqUXTE_19V1XZ2z98b7yzW30i8IhHaHQ5Eke39UTi8Od67JJ5xFfJC5UTAQl9onVDta64sTiTUq7lrZ_shcORMYVGRpqJhuUsnS6lAR9NHRPMlC0F13VNQ/s1920/power%20yellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZu6MyRIjUt6uMVCr7nieHGRCpepGFFnI_6iPzzAN3hkRuv87sw0-iiOYSAIcV4jxTsot0YqUXTE_19V1XZ2z98b7yzW30i8IhHaHQ5Eke39UTi8Od67JJ5xFfJC5UTAQl9onVDta64sTiTUq7lrZ_shcORMYVGRpqJhuUsnS6lAR9NHRPMlC0F13VNQ/s320/power%20yellow.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Total cost: $2! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbmxw3xRsfwl3e29XFr8QRNc0WjkO78VcUGy-6JqFYA0iPO8D0ZpCZd30pvr7r2QXHsmDxO57P27lymCbjE6deZ9nDdrtsEIQqqBk_2l-7XEdXk1y3GQ-a8vqixDrq7fiCGJxN_nR_3J3qXOEByzp4igzMK9d12eBjEDm99cO8VXEYCSqLRXK3mMT280/s4080/20231028_191253.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbmxw3xRsfwl3e29XFr8QRNc0WjkO78VcUGy-6JqFYA0iPO8D0ZpCZd30pvr7r2QXHsmDxO57P27lymCbjE6deZ9nDdrtsEIQqqBk_2l-7XEdXk1y3GQ-a8vqixDrq7fiCGJxN_nR_3J3qXOEByzp4igzMK9d12eBjEDm99cO8VXEYCSqLRXK3mMT280/s320/20231028_191253.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finished product on tarp, off-gassing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maybe not so much a tutorial as, pictures, and, well, figure it out! Montana Black spray paint in Power Yellow. Mirrors: Michael's, years ago. 1 inch? No tag left. Makes them wonkier. I would have gone for gold, but I haven't had positive experiences with gold spray paint, and I wasn't painting spokes by hand in oil paint. Talk about a high!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p></div><br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-5352768134371428672023-10-23T13:46:00.007-04:002023-10-23T14:13:51.348-04:00Welcome Back, Dear Readers!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaEl8t8lVr9Jc3WyYHpz4PvjHEHdqF7ur5gs3G9d7QY2uHORsat8qsgtWaXwiowYZDowxbKmOgrR4n2kqhX-CMT5KOG2ga9nIJofpXYjTOw3IR2wS7uSZPtP4Fdpnc3fhpcyJ5ygHxr3cHzAROLs8hD_C8OivWSXnHIjMRAWbEipU4cIWTjVSdvxtltA/s4080/20231022_195737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaEl8t8lVr9Jc3WyYHpz4PvjHEHdqF7ur5gs3G9d7QY2uHORsat8qsgtWaXwiowYZDowxbKmOgrR4n2kqhX-CMT5KOG2ga9nIJofpXYjTOw3IR2wS7uSZPtP4Fdpnc3fhpcyJ5ygHxr3cHzAROLs8hD_C8OivWSXnHIjMRAWbEipU4cIWTjVSdvxtltA/s320/20231022_195737.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Still living in Queens</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Warning: many, long-saved, not posted, blogs are on-deck now. I am mostly home alone during the day, making phone calls (remember those?), getting costumes ready (it IS that time of year), getting to the bottom of the laundry (that trip to Bushwick didn't help in that department), etc. Very interesting stuff!<p></p><p>These posts aren't about costumes or cake. No. They're about the DOE. That might be a problem. Whatever. Buckle up, people. There's a lot of them.</p><p>In the meantime, I am looking up bathroom codes on my phone when studio women appear in the middle of your triangle of bathroom would-be enterers. And opens the door with the keypad on the handle. Editing videos of skating and the Nutcracker. Living life.</p><p>For those eager students out there, start by looking up the 3020a process. Charlotte Danielson. Michael Bloomberg. I'll stop...</p><p>So, be warned. I'll see about adding an unsubscribe button to the homepage.</p><p><br /></p>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933787105673733516.post-36379398686033407232023-10-20T13:58:00.006-04:002023-10-20T14:11:16.270-04:00Who Am I? A Rambling Attempt to Figure Out My Life.<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3W0QMxlE-fdwRpppkKO7xkQVRb52HmxME02ME6XQrXhhZVmSEUgxeMwA10Oc6xOVC-rF6XxtnZqqHIwVs1FhA1HRxRnUA1tMhzX0ujUatHViSdHwzdI1Fv8jw2MsDasRgsiR0UpHnQJXndX9RlxkWGbi0mieFoc8dBxdEX_4rhwkKZEJ3bNACEhoML9k/s512/transitions.gif" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="512" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3W0QMxlE-fdwRpppkKO7xkQVRb52HmxME02ME6XQrXhhZVmSEUgxeMwA10Oc6xOVC-rF6XxtnZqqHIwVs1FhA1HRxRnUA1tMhzX0ujUatHViSdHwzdI1Fv8jw2MsDasRgsiR0UpHnQJXndX9RlxkWGbi0mieFoc8dBxdEX_4rhwkKZEJ3bNACEhoML9k/s320/transitions.gif" width="320" /></a></div><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54)" face="Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><div><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54)" face="Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54)" face="Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">6/17/14 2:15 PM </span>I had a minor meltdown at work today where I lost control at a student. Nothing physical, but that sassy - no, rude - child received the full force of my anger. I had a similar moment immediately after I returned to teaching after my stroke, and the scary thing about that craze was the instigating infraction was trivial compared to the diatribe it provoked. I chalked that incident up to what, in essence, was my brain injury. The thing about a stroke is that it changes <em>you</em>; the essence of who you are <strong>is</strong> your brain, and your brain is not the same after a stroke. My brother-in-law is a quadripelegic, so physically he is completely different than he was before his spinal injury, but he is still the same person. I, on the other hand, look the same as I did before my stroke; it is the inside that changed.<br />
<br />
So, back to today. One of my collegues passed away one week ago, and she was a gentle, caring teacher who lived her life following the model of God. Because she was suffering from stage IV cancer, her honors class that she intended to loop with for a three-year stint was given to me after only a year. I'm sure this ripped at her heart, and she would come in during my classes with them often. Even during her chemotherapy, she continued to come to work, because she lived to teach, and loved her job. Those of you who know me, know I no longer love teaching. I did, and in theory I still do, but the joy and love of it has long ago left. <br />
<br />
When I attended her service, I listened to the Rabbi and swore I'd model my life after Mrs. S. and show love, love, love, especially to those poor, hurting children I share a building with. And then, today happened. Can I use the excuse of my stroke, which is now five years in the past? Am I grieving my coworkers loss? Am I just making excuses? Who am I? What do I stand for?<br />
<br />
Ladies and gentlemen (are there any male readers out there?), is this an e-midlife crisis? Should I tweet my pre-menopausal angst? <br />
<br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54)" face="Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">10/20/23 1:58 PM <br /></span>Okay, Update! It is now 9 years later and I had another meltdown and I am now retired. Very much post-menopausal now. My brother-in-law, the quadriplegic, passed away just before the pandemic. Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around every once in a while, you might miss it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoEIS2pDf3Hlo00Fci2_ZEmQHEMwqfDfyGybqDzqNaBPvZjLf0iEavda30bi0u21xwOm2-UavhuHUKjechWycnZIb-Wn3JxzRtyDnhII6I9XUbgQihn4LhTneTf7wq44S0HouvXZ5ZUXGZS16CI9kz78NiE5JbWDpNTTp0YyKNiKzny-P3rCJ7nMohD8/s480/ferris.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="480" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoEIS2pDf3Hlo00Fci2_ZEmQHEMwqfDfyGybqDzqNaBPvZjLf0iEavda30bi0u21xwOm2-UavhuHUKjechWycnZIb-Wn3JxzRtyDnhII6I9XUbgQihn4LhTneTf7wq44S0HouvXZ5ZUXGZS16CI9kz78NiE5JbWDpNTTp0YyKNiKzny-P3rCJ7nMohD8/s320/ferris.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491712775800149256noreply@blogger.com0