Gardening would be perfect here, if not for the gophers. I'd like for them to go away, but I don't think that is going to happen just on my say so! Killing them is not something I really want to do, so we are doing our best to protect the plants from them.
However, I recently discovered that I have a partner in the gopher hunt who probably doesn't share my distaste for killing them. A beautiful grey cat has taken up residence in our yard; she spends long hours watching the gopher holes with intense concentration.
As far as I know, she hasn't caught any; I sincerely hope that she doesn't leave them for me to find if she does. Knowing cats, she'll undoubtedly bring her trophies home to delight the people she lives with; I'm probably safe on that count. Although I do have twinges of guilt for letting her stay, I really would rather that the gophers go somewhere else; so I admire her beauty and perseverance and turn a blind eye to the potential consequences of her vigil.
We're partners, after all.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Inching along
Two more inches.
Yup, that's today's total.
But, to be fair, that's not all I did today. I spent a good part of the day out; we went over to my parent's house to pick up our boat trailer. They'd been keeping it for us while we got settled, and, well, we're pretty much settled now.
I also cut some rings; this piece will combine maille and beadwork. This is the first time that I've used brass; I gave the wire an antique look by torching it, and I'm very happy with how it came out. It adds a wonderful vintage quality to the beadwork.
This piece is going to be really different; I'm going to have to hustle, though, to get it done before March 16th.
Three inches and counting . . .
Yup, that's today's total.
But, to be fair, that's not all I did today. I spent a good part of the day out; we went over to my parent's house to pick up our boat trailer. They'd been keeping it for us while we got settled, and, well, we're pretty much settled now.
I also cut some rings; this piece will combine maille and beadwork. This is the first time that I've used brass; I gave the wire an antique look by torching it, and I'm very happy with how it came out. It adds a wonderful vintage quality to the beadwork.
This piece is going to be really different; I'm going to have to hustle, though, to get it done before March 16th.
Three inches and counting . . .
Friday, February 6, 2009
Musing
I've spent the last two days doing something that I can't tell you very much about.
No, it wasn't like that; it's something I'd like to tell you about, but I'm under a gag order. So I'll have to dance around it, and tell you what I can, without using any specifics. Remember the beading contest I've entered? Well, it has a fun hook; one of the kit components is titled "The Muse" and the muse must be used in the project.
Before receiving the kit, I imposed another condition on myself: not only would I use the Muse, but I would use it as a Muse, and let it inspire and guide my beadwork. Luckily for me, the Muse was a useful Muse and gave me an idea right away.
Unluckily for me, it has take two days for me to figure out how to make my idea work! I have tried so many different techniques, and picked out ever so many failures, erm, learning experiences. But I finally got it late this afternoon; I now have one square inch of my necklace finished.
Yup. One square inch.
But at least I know how to do the rest of it; and it really shouldn't take two days for the next square inch. I can't wait to show you this one; I think that keeping the details secret is going to be even harder than making that first square inch.
No, it wasn't like that; it's something I'd like to tell you about, but I'm under a gag order. So I'll have to dance around it, and tell you what I can, without using any specifics. Remember the beading contest I've entered? Well, it has a fun hook; one of the kit components is titled "The Muse" and the muse must be used in the project.
Before receiving the kit, I imposed another condition on myself: not only would I use the Muse, but I would use it as a Muse, and let it inspire and guide my beadwork. Luckily for me, the Muse was a useful Muse and gave me an idea right away.
Unluckily for me, it has take two days for me to figure out how to make my idea work! I have tried so many different techniques, and picked out ever so many failures, erm, learning experiences. But I finally got it late this afternoon; I now have one square inch of my necklace finished.
Yup. One square inch.
But at least I know how to do the rest of it; and it really shouldn't take two days for the next square inch. I can't wait to show you this one; I think that keeping the details secret is going to be even harder than making that first square inch.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Bead News
Surprise! I'm not all about gardening!
On a whim, I decided to enter a beading contest called Use the Muse, sponsored by The Beader's Muse. It's one of those buy the kit contests, and I liked the kit. It wasn't stuff that I would normally pick out, but I liked it.
And I felt like stretching a bit.
Of course, I needed new beads to go along with it; that's pretty much a given. Especially since the kit has colors that I don't usually use. So I'm waiting for my supplemental beads to arrive and beading in my head.
I have a feeling this is going to be something completely different.
On a whim, I decided to enter a beading contest called Use the Muse, sponsored by The Beader's Muse. It's one of those buy the kit contests, and I liked the kit. It wasn't stuff that I would normally pick out, but I liked it.
And I felt like stretching a bit.
Of course, I needed new beads to go along with it; that's pretty much a given. Especially since the kit has colors that I don't usually use. So I'm waiting for my supplemental beads to arrive and beading in my head.
I have a feeling this is going to be something completely different.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Unplugged
It's something I'm experimenting with; deliberately giving myself days off the computer. Hanging out online has become a habit for me; I needed to do something to shake myself up.
Well, that and gardening. The time had to come from somewhere!
But seriously: unplugging (and plugging in) is something I need to choose to do in order to truly appreciate. If it becomes routine and unthinking, it loses something. So I will continue to shake myself up and be more unpredictable.
Just thought you might like to know.
Well, that and gardening. The time had to come from somewhere!
But seriously: unplugging (and plugging in) is something I need to choose to do in order to truly appreciate. If it becomes routine and unthinking, it loses something. So I will continue to shake myself up and be more unpredictable.
Just thought you might like to know.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)