An Automata Experience

Whoo Whoo

This is my first piece of automata completed without instructions or a teacher's help.  The copper cone was shaped and cut during art class.  The shaping did come with a lot of help from others who had more finesse than I.  I found it difficult to get a nice small shape with a large rubber mallet.  It looked so perfect I almost hated to cut it into its parts but I jumped on in and hacked away.  Before class was over I tried and tried to solder the piece to a copper base so it would be completed.  The teacher even offered to connect it for me but I was not going to let it get the better of me.  I had no idea what I was going to do with it, having no way to solder it at home, but I knew I would get it mounted somehow.  I wanted the cone to be flexible as intended so with this I can use the crank or pull it up by hand.  I could not be happier with it.

Many failed attempts... or a learning experience

I have new ideas zinging around my head and I cannot wait to grab a few moments in the shop to work on them.  I have 6 books from the library waiting on me to learn all their secrets.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving sharing our home with family and friends.  We were all fed and tucked into our respective homes by 4:00 and I do not know about the rest but we had our pj's on early that evening.

This weekend is devoted to finishing up and decorating for Christmas. I feel that I have a pretty good handle on things...at least I hope so!  We'll see...

Good night to all,
Hilari

Happy Thanksgiving!

I saw this little guy while eating dinner beach side while on vacation.  I could not resist snapping his picture.  I looked at BFF and said "Here I go" to give her a heads up.  Well, actually a bottom's up would have been more appropriate because I had to slip under the bench to capture his expression.  I must have startled him by the look on his face.  I didn't startle BFF though, she didn't even bat an eye.  Hence the reason she is my BFF.

Speaking of BFF, please say a little prayer for her.   She was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, released today, treated for mini strokes.  She thought it was just stress and at 49 most people would.  The Dr. feels she should have a full recovery, as long as the blood thinners do their job, but it will take some time.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner it reminds me that I am thankful for so many things: our health, family, friends, our business and so much more. Our turkey is thawing, invites sent out, house attended to so we are ready to celebrate!

Oh, Hahaha...just noticed I have been showing my age...using BBF instead of BFF in my older posts.  I was just letting everyone know that she is my Best Best Friend.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Hilari

Beach Musing and a Cold Snap

Beach Muse

While time was flying last month, I was able to enjoy a quick trip to our closest beach (6.5 hrs away) with BBF.  We had no plans except to enjoy each others company and the sound of the beach.  BBF is a sun worshiper, and I, being a redhead, am not.  While she soaked up the rays I walked the sand picking up shells, watched sand pipers, and sat quietly communing with a resting pelican.  When I returned to our room and looked through my found goodies, the shells whispered the idea of this little lady to me.  She worked up quickly as we sat on the balcony watching a dolphin pod swim by.  We had a very relaxing visit to the shore and we each have a Beach Muse to remind us of our trip.

We are in the thralls of a winter cold snap and the last of our breautiful fall leaves have fallen to their demise. We even had a little bit of snow on the cold ground this morning.  What does this mean, you may ask...cozy fires, hot chocolate, and roasted marshmallows.  Our fire is burning so I am heading to the kitchen to heat up some cocoa and put a marshmallow on a stick and all will be right in my little world.

Sweet dreams to all,

Hilari

Twirling in the Storm

First piece created at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

One of the first questions asked was who was a jewelry maker... second question was who has soldered before...Hum...neither of those could I answer yes to.  I had to quickly figure out how to make this week long, much anticipated class (the description stated that it was for both jewelry and sculpture) on kinetic movement work for me. Day one was working with copper tubes and basic soldering. Day two became more jewelry centered.   Luckily, I knew where the town cigar shop was and during lunch I headed that way to get a base to work with.  While the other ladies, who were jewelry makers, were making copper rings that spin, I was making a wire lady to dance in the rain.  My teacher was a little thrown off but definitely not put off by this.  She was just as excited to see her come to life as I was.  

It took a little bit of trial and error but I got her to twirl around and around when her crank is used.  I had to solder, pop rivet, use the drill press and scroll saw, and bend copper tubing.  It was awesome.  

 

 

This was the second finished project.  When her crank is turned, her foot stomps in the puddle.  I had to work out how to connect the leg at the knee and not have it jam up when in motion.  Most of the time it is a pretty smooth movement but I am going to try using a jump ring for the joint the next time to see if it will be  any better.   I was thrilled to have new skills and two items to take home to share.

I have one less item for my Christmas list.  A family friend happened to have a commercial scroll saw that was in need of a home and we were happy to help him out.  I can't wait to go to the workshop and give it a workout.  I have lots of ideas running around in my head to play with. The only problem is that they always take more time to figure out that I think they will.  Wish me luck!

Each year October is our busy month.  Add in a week at art camp, a short trip to Myrtle Beach with BBF, and starting to lay flooring in most of the house to our usual assisting Mother-in-law with a 3 week craft fair (she is a potter by trade) and WHEW...It was a fun whirlwind but bring on November.

Peace,

Hilari

#arrowmont #craftexperience

Pure Self Indulgence

What a lucky girl I am!  I was able to spend the last week at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tn.  It was was my first opportunity to take a week long art class and it was more than I ever expected. It was about kinetics, mostly for jewelry makers, but I learned how to incorporate the techniques into my sculptures.  I was able to make Puddle Stomper move here leg up and down and a girl spin in a thunderstorm, both using wooden circles and a brass crank system.  It was my first time using a soldering apparatus and was apprehensive at first, but I soon got the hang of it...in theory, anyway.  I came home with a long list of items I want for Christmas: grinder with deburring wheel, soldering stuff, scroll saw, jewelers ring holder, a plethora of small hand tools, and...

-

an anvil!

It was wonderful to be immersed in an artistic atmosphere for a whole week.  Husband was very generous, never complaining about keeping our business running smoothly (we are our only employees so all the work fell on him).  Also, I was lucky to be able to spend time with my best friend.  She opened her home as a bed and breakfast, and chauffeur each day to help with with expenses. It was a joyful week.

This is my favorite time of year with the cooler breezes,  the leaves changing colors, the sun setting before 9:30.  I always feel a bit more calm...until I realize that the holidays are just around the corner.  Each year my goal is to have my shopping done before Thanksgiving, so when Thanksgiving rolls around I have a lot of it done...never all.  But right now I will just focus on the cooler breezes and beautiful leaves and playing with the new techniques I have learned.

Here's to hoping the 2015 class catalog for Arrowmont comes in the mail soon so I can start dreaming (and saving) for my next adventure!

Peace,
Hilari

#arrowmont  #craftexperience

A Lovely Color Pallet

Thanks to my sweet husband we have had a beautiful plot of zennias growing across the street on county land that we are responsible to care for.  By responsible, I mean that if we did not mow, trim, etc. the strip of manageable land would quickly grow into a beast of thorns, vines and poison ivy.  While our County Codes personnel are very quick to take care of any problems that arise, they need a little help with the routine maintenance.  Because I was determined to be able to see the flowers from out picture window, I built our planter box the farthest point from a water source, in direct sun, across the street, and on someone else's land.  In the past a rainbow of plants have met their demise, but this year Husband has been determined, and with great success, to grow a lovely color pallet of large blooming flowers.  Most days he lugs two 5 gallon buckets to the planter and gives the lovelys a much needed drink, but it has been well worth it.  We sure have been enjoying them, both from inside and out.

In this month's Cloth Paper Scissors magazine the readers challenge is centered around using wire and found objects...right up my alley!  I sent in a picture of the artwork from my last blog for consideration and will find out on the 12th if was chosen.  After putting myself out there many times and being rejected many more times than not, I now find it exciting to put artwork out for others to judge.  I find it interesting seeing what does and does not speak to people.  With that said...I hope it is chosen for print!

Hoping all have a lovely Sunday.  I plan on being creative although I do not have a direction in mind. This means I will either wake up and be productive or I could just piddle with this and that all day and get absolutely nothing accomplished.  Only time will tell....

Sweet dreams,
Hilari

Knowing She Could Fly, She Tilted

Knowing she could fly

she tilted

This is one of those pieces that worked up just as I imagined it.  Well, not really but the idea is very close.  In my original idea she has feathers in each hand to help her fly, but once I dressed her the feathers lost their effect.  I love the way the tatting works for the dress and using a small gauge of wire to give the tatting stability and placement adds fullness.  The tatted pieces were created by a long lost family member and having learned to tat myself some years ago, it was nice to use, although I do not think Great Auntie would have ever thought of her beautiful hand work used in this way.  I also liked how the rusty bottle cap corset worked with the soft thread.  The next one will have a full wire dress, bottle cap corset (or leather maybe) and feathers in her hand to help her fly.

Things have been quiet on the home front lately.   I have had my first international sale on my ETSY site...with a special order thrown in.    The customer wanted a father and son holding the balloons sculpture and I was happy to do so.  The pieces are finding their new home in Alberta, Canada.

Husband and I have been riding our bikes after work for the past few weeks.  So off we go!

Peace,
Hilari

Only in the South

The companionship of others was 

to him

as necessary as air

What is cool about this piece is that you can make her swing around the pole by turning the wing nut on the top.  It is my first movement piece and even though I can see how rudimentary the movement is, I am pleased with it.  This piece was one of those that took a while to come to fruition.   It never really came to competition in my head so I kept having to plug away at it.  She has a purple top, skirt, and awesome boots.  The only thing she need is some sort of flowy boa which I have yet to devise.

Her ability to dance around the pole, besides her many hours of practice, comes through the wooden block screwed to the bottom of the wooden cigar box.  As you can see there were a few attempts to get the proper placement of the drilled hole.  The only drawback to using cigar boxes is that everyone wants to open them.  In this case, it causes a jam due to the pole going through the lid.  Husband and I have discussed other options for the bases to alleviate this desire.  I even had one lady open a box (with the artwork attached) and explain to me that the boxes need to be functional.

On the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month one of our local eateries has home cooked meals with a serving of local bluegrass.   We have only been able to enjoy this a couple of times this summer so we are still learning the menu.   Upon studying it this last Friday,  we came across something we just had to try...The Bomb.  It is an all beef hotdog wrapped in bacon, DEEP FAT FRIED, topped with chili and homemade jalapeno pimento cheese.  This just goes to show that southern folk will deep fat fry anything...and apparently eat it as well.  I have to say, it was pretty tasty.   I am just glad that Husband and I decided to share or we might have been in a world of hurt later in the night.  Oh, but the best thing was that peach cobbler was offered as a side item, right beside fried green tomatoes and fried okra.

While at the eatery Husband picked up some locally cured bacon and, boy, he is making the house smell great as he is cooking it off.  Some yummy bacon paired with french toast topped with bananas...it just doesn't get any better.

Peace,
Hilari

etsy.co,/shop/skinnydipperdesigns

The Same but Different

This is one of my first pieces and one of my favorites.  It lives with a good friend, along with many other of my pieces.  Ms. Cheryl is one of my biggest supporters.  The house stands about 3 inches high and was constructed from single hand ripped book pages individually glued together...whew!  The windows were hand carved and accented with spent train light bulbs.  I started to create another but have not been consistent with it.  Always a new project whispering in my ear.

Everything is the same ...but different.  With our only moving out recently our normal schedule is still normal but hints of him being gone are there.  I do not have to listen to make sure he has not stayed up too late and overslept his alarm.  I do not have to listen for his car around supper time to start divvying up the meal.  I do not have to do these things but I find myself doing them just the same.  I have held up much better that Husband or I expected.  We hope he remembers all that we tried to teach him and is able to enjoy his time away from home...but as far as I am concerned, he can fulfill his lease, move home, find and marry a wonderful girl (who loves us like her own), move into a house in our neighborhood and make beautiful babies.  I don't think that is too much to ask.

I was able to spend time with my bff this weekend.  We always try to find an interesting place to go and spend the day or weekend but this day trip was a bust.  We ended up in the middle of nowhere with no phone signal to help us with directions.  We stopped in at a gun store...in the middle of nowhere!...and got pointed in the right direction.  Our problem is that we have lived in the same area almost all our lives and we have done all the fun activities we can think of.  I guess we will just have to think outside of the box for our next adventure.

I am being told by my wonderful husband that supper is ready and to come and get it while it is hot.

Peace to all,
Hilari

Abandonment and Empty Nesting

Today is the day that I become an empty-nester. My only is moving into his (sharing with friends) own abode.  He tried this once before, and about the time I came to terms with his abandoning his mother, the free room came to an end, only lasting 3 weeks.  This time he has signed a 12 month lease so I will have to adjust to a more permanent state, plus this time he is taking all of his furniture.  He is only moving a few miles away and I told him I was allowed to text him whenever I want...which is what my father told me when he learned to text.  At first, I felt that I really did not need to know that Wheel of Fortune was on or that my parents ran out of milk, but I came to really enjoy sharing the small things.  I only hope my son gets to that point quickly.

I have been the lucky recipient of bottle caps from friends, now that they have seen my work with them.  I receive little baggies containing a few or many depending on how busy their weekend was.  I thought these would be a nice little thank you gift for the ladies who have contributed.  Maybe a bottle cap bow tie for the gents?!  I have had many ideas flowing through my head the last couple of weeks and this weekend is one of little plans, unlike the last few, so I plan to spend some time in the workshop playing.  I want to figure out how to make a piece spin like the Swings ride at the fair.  The little people will be sitting on ...yep, you guesses it,  bottle cap seats, and whorl around so they are flying through the air.  I do not have a mechanical mind.  I am a tinker so I usually end up coming up with a solution from the back side, never the simple way others would do it. I will be pleased if they only swing around gently but whorling would be so much better.

Today our schedule started little later that usual but time is catching up with me so I had better get ready for the day.  Hopefully, we will get the boy moved in quickly and I won't be too traumatized.  I have one of my favorites, Creature From the Black Lagoon, 1954, ready to sooth me when all is done.

Good day to all,
Hilari

All Lit Up With Peach Cobbler

                         

My version of a carbide light

Here is my version of the carbide light I was asked to make.  When the original was presented for me (pictured 5/7 post), I had to think about how I would go about creating one that was stable and not top heavy.  Lucky for me, I had a piece of metal that I could cut for the reflector.  I am sure it was purchased for another project, but what it was I have no idea (that is why I have multiple notebooks handy so I can keep track of fleeting ideas...apparently not all of them though).  I took the flat disk and beat it with a hammer over a rounded rock to give it some dimension.  I used 2 screws to represent the roller and flint.  I was told that the hanger on the back was important, so I dug through my rusty bits and found the perfect piece.  While digging, I found a well worn bottle top for the fluid lid which I was able to hinge into place.  I am very pleased with the way it turned out...really, I am just pleased that it does not fall over all the time.

We have had wonderful weather this week topped off with some very yummy peach cobbler.  On our way home from our reunion, we were lured off the interstate with signs stating that a vendor had Georgia peaches.  In Knoxville we are only offered South Carolina peaches but I think Georgia peaches are the best!  Now, don't get me wrong...South Carolina peaches are good and there may be great peaches in other parts, but I don't think you can beat a juicy, tart Georgia peach.  So it was a real treat to enjoy them in a warm cobbler topped with sugar and cinnamon.  It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.  Yummy!

Easy Peach Cobbler

3 cups peaches, peeled and cut into chunks

1/2 cup butter

1 cup bisquick

1 cup milk

1 cup sugar, plus some to sprinkle on top before cooking

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1tablespoon cinnamon, plus some to sprinkle on top before cooking

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a 9x13 pan, place stick of butter and put in oven to melt.  While butter is melting, mix bisquick, milk, sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Once butter has melted, pour liquid mixture over the butter and place the chunks of peaches on top of the batter.  Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top and bake for 45 minutes

Let cool a little before trying because, if you are like me, you will want to dig into it right away. With fork ready, I always seem to forget how hot 350 degrees is. 

I'm off to watch the comedy The Invisible Woman from 1941, staring John Barrymore.  It should be a good before bed movie.

Sleep tight,
Hilari

etsy.com/shop/skinnydipperdesigns

Whale Sharks and a Family Reunion

We have been riding the roller coaster of life for the past few months: loss of a family member, loss of pet, 3 sick cars, another sick pet, job woes.  This is the reason that my posts have not been as frequent as I would like.  I do not want this to be a place where I vent my problems.  Everybody had problems.  I want this to be a place where I can look back and enjoy the pictures and thoughts shared.  With that being said....

 Husband Actual Size

We are lucky to be one of those families that get together once a year for a weekend with as many of us that can show up.  This year it was in Atlanta, Georgia, which is about 3 hours from our home, so we left very early on Friday and spent the day at the Georgia Aquarium.  My husband and I own and are the only employees of a business cleaning aquariums for both residential and commercial customers, so this place is right up our alley.  Because we are very land locked in Tennessee, it was awesome to see these beautiful creatures in their spacious and well maintained homes.  Our time spent with family was enjoyable as well with great food and visiting. We even had craft day on Saturday for the ladies with beads and chalk paint.

Husband is hosting card night in the shop so the dog and I have the house to ourselves.  I have my wire supplies and a Harry Potter movie ready to go. I have many new ideas speeding around my head and hopefully I will be able to catch a few and get something made.  It has been a while.

Good night all,
Hilari

A Swirly Octopus and Steampunkers

I found this great wavy, swirly paper and knew what needed to be swimming it it's waters.  I dug through my collection of spent light bulbs and, lucky for me, I had the perfect size for the head.  Next was the washer container and, again...yea, the right size.  He is about 7 inches tall and 4 inches wide from tip to tip.  He seemed to fall into place pretty easily which was the only way anything was going to get done in the last two weeks.  

My wire work was accepted to an art show (sort of) and I had high hopes to finally find a crowd that would "get" my work.  It was a Steampunk Carnivale and I knew the mind set would be more open to a different kind of art.  While I did have people enjoy looking, there were not any buyers, which is a little disheartening.  With that said, I got to spend the day with my BBF, Vicki, people watching and being amazed at the beautiful costumes and creations, as well as the age range of the participants.  The steampunkers ranged from stroller to grannies.  That part was awesome.

 

I wish this picture was better. The light was fading but I thought it was the coolest ensemble...the coolest thing... at the event. The man, who looked just like Jon Snow from Game of Thrones, was stilted on all fours with leather, chains, fur, spikes, metal bits, and moved about the crowd in character. It took him over 20 minutes to get into costume.  He was a show stopper.

The last two weeks have been a challenge so hopefully the next two will seem like a breeze.  Off to have some pipping hot feel good food for supper.

Peace, 

Hilari

etsy.com/shop/skinnydipperdesigns

Persistence and Pestilence

 

There

is a fine line

between

persistence and pestilence

These words speak for themselves.  We have all been there at one point...either marking or crossing the line. When I found these small metal roses on a great site for mixed media supplies I knew what their use would be.  Unfortunately for her followers, the curator of the site was ready to slow her life down and, as they say, stop and smell the roses.  During her closing sale I was able to pick up some other goodies that I hope to put to good use soon.

 As you can see, I sure needed to unearth my living room work cart ( as well as the work table in my craft room).  I used our long holiday weekend to finish up some of my projects that have been pushed aside when shiny new ideas popped into my head.  I still have a list to address and am always glad to be in completion mode.  It is a little more quiet during these times.  My head can feel like it's spinning in all directions when inspirations come in fast. Although, that is part of the fun...catching the fleeting mental pictures or words that have the ability to stop you in your tracks.

Well, so far we have kept our zinnias watered and they are already about 2 inches tall.  We only have to keep this up until they are 2 1/2 feet tall and blooming.  Wish us luck!

Good night all,
Hilari

etsy.com/shop/skinnydipperdesigns

The Scarlet Harlot

Our spring colors are making way for all the beautiful shades of green that cover our landscape of East Tennessee. I sometimes wonder what it would look like in shades of blue or yellow, or even red.  I think God got it right though with the greens, cool but energizing. Purple shades would be interesting, but I am partial to purple.

Speaking of color, we spent Sunday afternoon cleaning out our flowerbed and planting zinnia seeds. I have a black thumb and always forget to water so we will see how this goes. I have stopped buying the beautiful plants I see ay Lowe's because I know of their future demise.  Lucky my husband has a greener thumb than I so the zinnias have a fighting chance.

They whispered her a harlot

so she adorned herself

in scarlet

and boldly walked 

into the room

I have a close friend who is very recently divorced and her association with any male is the speculation of her small town and idle minds.  Her feelings of being scrutinized and possibly labeled poured out during a conversation and this piece was my result.  Her result was to know that this too shall pass and, soon, idle minds will be focused on their next unfortunate victim.  For this I used all red bottle caps and accented her torso with red wire to complete the scarlet effect.  This one worked up quickly, I think, because it helped to release the negative energy generated by negative people.  

I want to thank Cheryl for turning me onto a Crop-A-Dial!!  Boy, making the connecting holes in the smashed bottle caps was a breeze compared to the nail and hammer process, and much quicker as well. And I only had to use 1 band-aid during the whole process...YEA!

I must admit that while in the process of writing and posting this I did buy a small batch of petunias from Lowe's.  My grandfather always had a planter full and I can never resist them in the spring.  

I am off to watch my favorite movie genre, 1950's syfi.  In store today is a black and white movie called The Deadly Mantis.  The trailer showed a real life praying mantis crawling up a tiny Washington Monument...I can't wait!

Peace,

Hilari

etsy.com/shop/skinnydipperdesigns

Serendipity

 Serendipity

This carbide lamp was, unbeknownst to me, was given to a kindred soul of my father years ago.  At a holiday gathering my father and Jim ( men of the same era ) met and enjoyed each others company discussing all manner of important topics...photography, books, caving, etc.  I have been asked by Jim's son to make a wire sculpture of this lamp.  I find this to be a lovely thought...I am creating a piece of artwork for a father from an item given to him by my father.  As my father would say, "It warms the cockles of my heart".

 It all started with a $30 table

I woke up Saturday feeling refreshed and ready to go so we decided to hit some of the yard sales in our neighborhood.  Our best and last find was an old restaurant table to use in the workshop.  Little did I know that this perfect work table would have us spending 5 hours rearranging, cleaning and setting up shop, as well as moving items from our mud room to the shop.  Of course that meant rearranging, cleaning and setting up shop in there as well.  On this side of it all, we love how much more functional both places are.

This has been a week of working late, so my extra curricular activities have been nil. I need to weed my flowerbed and get my zinnia seeds planted and hopefully will get that done before the weekend.  Rain is coming on Saturday and I am planning to hole up in the workshop and play.  I am almost finished with Pole Dancer...still working the mechanics of getting her pole to spin and she need her purple boots.

We all need purple boots!
Hilari

Skinny Dipper Designs at ETSY.com

Jamming the Xylophone

A tornado warning is a horrible thing to wake up to in the middle of the night. All is fine here but tonight is supposed to be stormy as well.  I was thinking about this on my afternoon walk and when finished, I grabbed my chalk and played.  We are thankful for the weather alerts but sure hope we do not hear them this evening.

He played his xylophone

with

wild abandon

This is my first attempt at the Xylophone Player.  His head jams as his arms swing across the music makers when he is moved.  The bars are made from cut bottle caps, as well as his seat.

While the arms move across the bars, they only move as long as the piece is being jiggled.  I would like to have the arms swing more freely and continue to do so after the piece has been handled.  Springs for the arms may be the answer but, of course,  not any of the ones I have on hand.  I will just have to keep thinking about this one.

Well,  I am off to get settled in for the night.  Hopefully no crazy weather tonight!

Sweet dreams, 

Hilari

Skinny Dipper Designs @ ETSY.com

Not a cloud in the sky

With the beautiful weather we have been having I have not been able to spend much time on my wire work. Two years ago we had water issues ( water running under the house after a huge storm) so we had to address the problem.  We started with bobcat work and lots of manual labor and ended up with a great place to build a 24 by 12 ft shop.  Little by little we have been working on it and this week we are building our first official workbench.

  So far so good...it seems very sturdy...so we are pleased.  Tomorrow we will tackle the top.

I have taken a moment or two while my husband figured out his plan of attack for the benches to play with the magician idea.  These are going to be the pieces of the magic box where the lady is cut in half.  I thought the casters would be stable enough but I see that I am going to have to add small dowels for support.  They should not be too obtrusive if I can hide them behind the casters.  This is the fun part...figuring out how to make what I see in my head become a 3-d piece.

Next week I should have Pole Dancer completed and ready to share...

I hear an ice cream truck coming down the street. Got to run...

Always support the Ice Cream Man!!!
Hilari

Skinny Dipper Designs @ ETSY.com

 

My Jack will hopefully weather the weather

My favorite fauna in my yard is my Jack in the Pulpit and he has come up to enjoy our beautiful weather...well, beautiful until today.  We had a snow flurry this afternoon with chilly temps tonight.  If cool enough we will have a fire and roasted marshmallows...yum.

I enjoy making these smaller books because I get to rip dis-guarded book pages and I find it soothing.  It may be because it is brain dead work compared to working through designing, creating and, usually, stabilization.  And then, of course, after enough ripping I am ready to get back to using my brain.  With these little books I get to think on a smaller scale and to use decorative papers, which I do not use a lot of, to help convey the ideas that pop into my head.

Well, off to cover my flowering plants to keep off the possible frost.

Good night,
Hilari

Whew....what a couple of weeks!

Spring has sprung and all is abloom...It sure is a beautiful around here.

What a couple of weeks we have had here.  Work and car problems on top of raging hormones...whew!  At least the hormones have calmed down.  Car is back in the shop and work is still teetering on the edge but all will work out in the end.  I did get the kitchen junk drawer cleaned out, as well as the part of the closet that holds all the clothes you hate to get rid of but never wear...thanks raging hormones!

 When he walked into the room

she stood frozen

like a deer in headlights

knowing that one day 

he would break her heart

Finally...here is the project that needed a solid base to hold up the car light.  I was able to find a cigar box that was a good size for the base and so far so good.  The top of the box has held up under the weight of the lamp and the figure was simple enough to attach.  The only problem I have encountered with the cigar boxes is their sizes are limited.  I have not seen any that would work with a single figure or smaller project.  I may have to get into the box making business.   I feel that the box base gives a more finished look.

I had an idea today using a jigsaw blade, a magician and a magic box...Can't wait to see how it turns out but I think this one will be a slower process than some others.

We have pineapple orange pound cake cooling and the house smells good.  Cake for supper??

Peace,
Hilari


SkinnyDipperDesigns on ETSY
  

Absence of an Authoritative No

With the absence of an authoritative "NO"

she stomped that puddle dry

I may have found the  answer to "hide the wires on the bottom" problem.  I woke up with the idea of using cigar boxes as a way to solve this.  Over the years I have picked up a few of these in different sizes and makes with no particular plans for their use so I was able to have an assortment to choose from.  I used textured car paint (my son had bought this for his rims) thinking this would help to hide some of the imperfections on the box, which it did nicely.  This has been the most feasible solution that I have come up with and it seems to work well.  My next project with it will be the heavy car light fixture that I mentioned in an earlier post. It should be strong enough to support it, unlike the book board which sank under the weight.

My men have been out all weekend, one camping and the other visiting friends, so the house has been very quiet.  I noticed, not only do I not graze in the kitchen between meals, I do not turn on the TV.  I have gotten quite a bit accomplished, or should I say our dog, Luke, and I have been busy.  He has separation anxiety so he has stuck to me like glue. When I get up he is right beside me to help with the laundry, go get the paper, go to the bathroom, get art supplies, put up art supplies...you get the picture.

On a side note:  If you have a chance check out the cover of Art Doll Quarterly (Feb, March, April) .  It is not a magazine that I normally look at but this stopped me in my tracks...beautiful.  The cover pic can be seen online.

Well, one of mine has made his way home so I need to finish up my laundry so he can have the machines.  And, now the dog has someone else to follow around.

Peace,

Hilari

Dressing Accordingly

She knew the board members were

out for blood

so she dressed accordingly

This is the second of the razor blade pieces I have been working on. I am sending this one to my friend who works in the corporate world.  She has to deal with board members on a daily bases and sometimes they are not the easiest to please.  I know she will appreciate the humor.

Last night I worked on my xylophone player whose arms and head swing while he is jamming and a very long colorful crocheted scarf to be from an admirer to a sweetheart.  I am an avid crocheter but working on such a small scale takes a lot of attention.  Normally, I make large granny square blankets to donate to Project Linus which is how I de-stress but working on the scarf has been a fun change of pace.

We are having a dreary day so we are being productive inside today.  My husband took everything out of the fridge and gave it a detailed cleaning...yep, he's a keeper, while I did paper work for our business. Now it is back to the laundry and eventually something warm and tasty for dinner.

Good night all,

Hilari

Mosh Pit Girl

She saw the dress hanging in the window

and she knew that she would be the 

sharpest dressed girl in the mosh pit

Rusty razor blades...we use razor blades for our business so I started keeping the worn out ones, without any plans for their use, but then this idea popped into my head.  I thought who would need to wear a dress like this and Mosh Pit Girl came to life. While I have enjoyed a rowdy concert or two I have never taken part in the mosh pit but a dress like this would sure help others to keep their distance. I know this is not the point of the pit but is the only way I could take part.  I am more of a balcony girl these days.  I have another razor blade girl in the works but she is from a corporate background...

Today is another beautiful day in our part of Tennessee.  I tried my hand at a sidewalk chalk sunrise this morning but it looked more like a rainbow ice cream cone floating in the waves.  Some ideas look a lot better in my head than they do on pavement. 

Thanks to my husband for a wonderful anniversary brunch of pancakes and chopped ham and eggs.  They were delicious. Happy 23rd!

Peace, 

Hilari