One slight push and Weeeeee!

 One Slight Push

I have become obsessed with creating these little metal based rockers.  I have actually only made 3 but I really enjoy making and playing with them. Using hand sheers I cut a 2.5 to 3 inch circle out of a metal sheet from Lowes, sand the edges, and bend it in half with a sturdy edge and wooden mallet.  I learned the hard way not to smash it shut.  Fitting the edges together as best as possible is important for ease of motion and to center the bend.  After the figures are made I use a drill press to make the holes for the wire to attach to.  Balance is key for the function of these pieces so I have had to add a little weight or slightly bend the figures to get a smooth rocking motion. I believe my next one will be a mermaid.

This past weekend our book making club, KBAG, had a gallery showing at Striped Light, a hands on printing press downtown.  Friday night around 60 people enjoyed our set up and many asked questions about construction and materials. Saturday was sale day and even though the rain (and UT vs Georgia, which we won, breaking our 5, yes 5, game losing streak) kept many at bay, we had a good time creating posters on one of the presses.  A big thanks to Brian for opening his studio to us and introducing us to his sweet daughter Samantha and Lilly, their four legged partner in crime.  Woof!

It is about that time of year for me to start thinking about what I am going to make for Christmas presents.  Actually, I started much earlier with what I thought would be the perfect gift... crochet pokey dot stockings. Oh, in the picture they were adorable.  Nope, not adorable at all.  I'm not sure if it was me or the pattern but was a bust.  And I was so proud of myself for getting a jump on things.

Monday is just about over so the weekend is just around the corner!

Peace,
Hilari

Five O'clock Shadow

Spotted by the neighbor cat while walking, I, of course, had to stop and give a friendly head rub.  Sitting with us, unconcerned, was this moth (or butterfly...wings up - butterfly ?...I never can remember), his shadow effortlessly casting at 5:00.  We were all content to share our space or at least the cat and I were.  The moth (or butterfly) could have been shaking in his boots but being strong willed, he never let it show.

Yesterday was front break job on our work van day.  Husband has a tweeky back, so I was his helper girl.  It was a beautiful day and after I gave all the assistance needed, I was free to play with the rotor destined for the trash or recycle, or whatever men do with these things.  I gathered my wire, tools, roofing tin, which I stashed after finishing the workshop, and set off.  I cut flower petals and, wishing I had a pop rivet tool, used a crop a dial to make holes and connected then together with 30 gauge floral wire.  With only one little gouge in my knuckle, I continued on with fencing wire for the stem and center of the flower.  I finished the underside of the petals with 19 and 24 gauge wire to help to soften the joins.  Now that the bugs are worked out I will make a few more stems and see where it goes from there.

My favorite quote from the internet this week comes from a conversation concerning the health issues of sodium nitrites. "Why has Jesus been dragged into the conversation about bacon".  People are funny.

Looks like another lovely day.  I hope the clouds stay clear for the evening viewing of the super moon.  Should be spectacular!

Peace,
Hilari

Nose Stuck In a Book

She Always Has Her Nose Stuck In A Book

I noticed that during the time Mother-in-Law was staying with us I spent my free time with my nose in a book.  Now, my nose is not as big at the reader here, but this nose needed to be a respectable size to get the point across.  I would have liked it to hold the weight and keep her face suspended but this just was not going to happen with this particular piece.  I will have to connect the nose to the book in a different fashion on the next attempt, though how I am not sure.  For now, I am pleased.

 * Upon further consideration, I might be able to hide the stabilizer much closer to the spine of the book to get the wanted effect...an awake at 3 am thought. Hum....will have to overcome weight and stabilization...

We have these lovely, tall, bright yellow flowers that grow free at the corner of our road.  We live in the county, just, and the county land is not as well tended as the city land.  Because of this, our little boulevard is full of trees, mimosas, and these beauties which helps to block the view of the other houses across the way.  Ours is not a thru street so it is a wonderful place to walk, do large scale chalk drawings and pet the neighbor cat.  Peaceful.

Happy First Monday Night Football of the season to all!
Hilari

Many Shades of Green

 I was raised at the doorstep of the Smokey Mountains and very thankful to parents who fostered a love for them. One of my father's heroes was Sir Edmund Hillary, so when I was 8 years old we trekked to the top of Mt. Leconte  and stayed in one of their small, musty, cold, very rustic cabins for the night.  That was Dad's Mount Everest and I am glad that he shared that with me, but I believe that my parents were just as glad to get off that mountain as I was.

I love stringing and breaking beans.  I love the smell of them cooking. (Thanks, Granny) But I hate the way they taste! In the early years Son would eat the school lunch green beans but NOT the ones from a can.  I could not figure it out because I was sure that the school did not break beans for all the little ones.  At a Boy Scout function I was introduced to a mother who worked in his school cafeteria.  I am not sure I even said "Hello" before I questioned her on her green beans.  What was her secret?!?  Ham stock, who knew...well, I'm sure many know but from someone who cannot stand to eat them, I had no idea.  This stuff was not as easy to find as you would think, or at least not where I was looking, but low and behold I tracked it down and he has been eating my beans ever since.  I just throw salt, pepper and ham stock in the pot and hope for the best.  I am not going to taste test it.

My art work has been more on the utilitarian side as of late.  Mother-in -Law has been out of her gallery/pottery shop since early June so I have been making items to help fill the shelves until she is able to work the clay.  I have been making bead earrings, crochet hats, and coptic stitch books.  Thanks to Ms. Cheryl for teaching me the coptic stitch, and for you tube for filling in the blanks where I was confused and not sure how to proceed. She is back with us after another 3 weeks in the hospital and we hope that she will be back in her house sometime next week and her shop doors open soon after.

As a side note:  One of my father's other passions was reading Sherlock Holmes stories.  My first and second names are Hilari Holmes.  I am just thankful that Bond or 007 was not in there somewhere.

Off to glue some book covers.
Peace,
Hilari

A Neighbor and a Yard Sale

This little lady was inspired by a neighbor and a yard sale.  It was a lovely Saturday morning and I had a little bit of spending money burning a hole in my pocket so I headed out to see what I could add to my art stash.  I like to find metal bits, books, really anything I think I can work with at some point and time.  A lot of the stuff is just stuff but sometimes I find a great "find".  On this particular day, it was a stack of license plates under a table.  I dug through and found a few that looked appealing.  When I purchashed them the lady told me that they belonged to her late father and it was obvious that they still meant something to her.  They were a connection to her past.  Her father was a tinker so she was pleased that they were going to be used in an art piece.  I had no idea what I was going to do with then exactly.  They were just to be added to the ever growing amount of wonderful bits that I have collected.  The only thing is I had a really hard time getting these simple license plates out of my head.  What am I going to do with them...what AM I going to do with them...On Monday I found that I had a few precious moments to my self, so I grabed the screaming license plates and got to work and this is what evolved.

I made a little girl tra-la-la-ing with her father.  It was very simple in design but just right.  I thought a moment, got in the car and delivered it to the lady.  It was a special moment. Through tears she said that her father used to spin her just like the one in the piece.  I believe there was some guidance from above.  So if you ever have that feeling, you know 'that' feeling, go with it.  You never know who may need what ever you have to offer.

Good night and sweet dreams,

Hilari

A Moment of Giddiness

Bloom Where You Are Planted

I love to see little flowers growing in unconventional places.   In some cases that are a sweet surprise.   In others they are a reminder that you can bloom where you are planted.  This one is a definite reminder of the latter. It was found growing in the pea gravel walkway of  Mother-in-law's yard today as we picked up items for her temporary move to our house due to an emergency surgery.  To me it said to remember to bloom, do not become a weed.

I'm not sure how my time will be spent the next few weeks, but with a positive attitude I am hoping to have a moment or two in the workshop while mother-in-law is recuperating...or, better yet, close by at the dining room table.  Husband will be carrying most of the work load so I, not being a very good cook ( sadly, so very true ), told him I would have supper ready when he gets home.  Not to sure how enthusiast he is about it, but he will just have to bloom with the rest of us.

 Post Wedding Petal Fun

How lucky was I to catch this absolute joyous moment in time. I truly love how the young man is giving it his all and the young ladies...they are just about to pop with giddiness.  

Off to the store for rx supplies and sugar. I can make most of my cooking taste better with a little dash of sugar.  

Happy moments of giddiness to all!

Hilari

Happy 4th

Happy 4th of July!!

 

I"m heading over to my in-laws to watch the annual Frederick fireworks.  Husband is playing cards tonight with the boys, so I will be representing our family.   It is always a great time full of OHHHs and AHHHs and plenty of WOWs.  

 

Be safe tonight and enjoy view!

Hilari