Trixie, before and after

This is our Trixie, the only way we have known her, and now after her expertly groomed trim. WOW, she's another dog. What a sweetie! We love her with or without the fluff.

katherine's recital

katherine's dance was a song from the play 'hairspray' she is the first girl on the left kneeling. the girls got the 'white-man-overbite' down.

jordan's dance recital

jordan's recital was a modern jazz dance number. she is the second from the left on the second row.

jordan at the high

jordan's artwork was chosen to be exhibited at the high museum on woodward academy's night at the high. she is standing with her teacher.

i won what?

i filled out a form with my name and address each time i visited hmart asian supermarket in riverdale, thinking i might win a rice cooker or maybe even a package of disposable gloves. the store called me sunday to tell me i won the car. a 2009 camry le. i pick up the car wednesday, pinch me, i'm still in disbelief...

happy birthday, katherine and jordan

Katherine and Jordan have wanted a dog for a long, long time. As a family we felt when the time was right we would get a dog. As the mom that stays at home, I didn't think it would EVER be the right time. But somewhere along the way, I came around and we applied to rescue an airedale terrier. It just so happened that we got a call to visit a dog in need on Katherine and Jordan's birthday, and we came home with Dixie. She is sweet, and the girls are elated to have a new companion in the house.

what was i thinking?

how could i go wrong with such awesome instruction on a website of another do-it-your-selfer? http://slipcover.vrya.net/ never mind that this woman probably sews often. anyway, the above photo is my attempt to make a pattern for my old sofa that is creaky, but much loved. too loved to let go, not to mention that we need the seating. stay in touch, perhaps i will post the finished product next week? next month? i'm really hoping for next week...

scott's

we went to scott antique market this morning. it was so nice to be among old things. i noticed there were a lot of horns and mounted heads of animals, i suppose this is something that is popular in the design world these days. also, i found some gorgeous lacy coral, but could not buy any, not without my conscience bothering me greatly. also i saw an interesting book, with the portraits printed on stamp like papers. that book was especially intriguing to me. do you see the calligraphy doodles?

eating

for about 7 years now i have struggled with being the primary cook at home. i feel a strong desire to make sure our family eats well, but it always feels so burdensome, why? did my mother set the bar too high in what she modeled for me? (a home-cooked meal every evening with fresh dessert and iced tea). with so many considerations of eating homemade, eating organic, eating local... it feels daunting to me at times. recently i have been reading this book called "The Art of Simple Food" by Alice Waters. reading about her process in how she plans, shops and cooks, her perspective of cooking is enjoyable. somehow this book has really helped me to redirect my negative thoughts about dinner night after night. one tasty dish is a butternut squash soup i've made twice now, the entire family likes it. we serve it with some nice dark bread and some shallow-fried chicken breasts and a romaine salad, YUM! and i think, short of the frying, it's pretty healthy too.

Coral Necklace

I love the look of a bold red necklace inside a crisp, white blouse. This necklace and earring set was one of four teacher gifts made this year for Christmas.

Pocket Folder

I made this practical ringed pocket folder for my father-in-law. He loved it, except he suggested that perhaps there should be 12 folders, one for every month of the year, instead of the 10. The truth is, I was kind of tired of stitching pockets by the time I got to 10, so I thought that would be enough. Apparently not, ;-). He is still deciding how to use his gift.

The Not-So-Naughty-cal Photo Album (for sportweasel)

I made this photo album in class last fall. The book has an accordian spine, there is a pocket in the back filled with photo corners.

The Farm

Just after Christmas we left for East Tennessee for a visit with the family. It was pure farm country with a lot of beautiful, peaceful scenery.

Cheery Bathers

Katherine and Jordan just after a bath in Aunt Betty's Kohler Birthday Bath Tub.

Washi paper

My Mom's book, I was busy this Fall making most of this years Christmas presents.

A book for my Dad

I made this box and book for my Dad in a bookmaking class by taught by teacher extraordinaire Anne Elser.

Smoker's Journal 4/2008

I had this idea for a book about smoking. The Cincinnati Women's Art Club is having a juried exhibition, and I decided to make the book a reality.

[Disclosure: I do not mind people smoking, however I do have strong feelings about the consequences of smoking. This book is a piece I made while in Cincinnati, moved by seeing someone I love decline from C.O.P.D. He's on oxygen full time now and cannot walk from room to room without needing to sit and catch his breath. He is suffering from smoking for most of his adult life. I truly hope I have not offended anyone. if you think you may be offended, then please enjoy the photos but refrain from reading the copy.]


Here is the copy written within, in a single line through the entire book:


Smoker’s Journal

Today I littered. It wasn’t on purpose or overtly intentional though.

I’m a smoker and I enjoy it. I find it relaxing to smoke.

Occasionally I notice that non-smokers near me do not like the smoke. I don’t care, although sometimes I do feel indignant about it.

Second-hand smoke is inconsequential.

But, it has created huge inconveniences for me. I don’t like being isolated to a special room or to the outside to smoke.

A close friend gently confided to me that after a smoke break, I bring with me a lingering odor of cigarette smoke. I never noticed that before.

I did notice that I don’t enjoy eating so much. The flavors and smells of food do not seem as inviting as they once did.

It may have something to do with how nicotine constricts blood vessels, which leads to circulation issues.

Like foot problems and gum disease.

But smoking is so agreeable to me that I am willing to live with these issues. And I haven’t noticed any breathing issues either.

Toxins from smoke will smother lung tissue, leading to breathing problems.

Breathing is important.

Brown teeth and yellowed fingers and fingernails aren’t as important.

The expense of smoking is becoming more important to me though. Cigarettes are getting more and more expensive.

--$4.80 per pack, pack a day --$1752 per year, 15 years of smoking

If $4.80 was saved daily for 15 years, there would be $26,280 in savings, plus interest.

Truthfully, there are plenty of reasons to not smoke, but nicotine is a bigger reason to keep smoking.

It would be hard for me to quit.

But then again, it’s not all about me… is it?

Single Signature Books

Eight of us gathered together Saturday morning to make pamphlet books. Here are the creative efforts of our 2 hours of time in the work room today. Some very nice stuff, enjoy! Thanks everyone for coming!

Belinda

You can't see it here, but there is a lovely lacey paper inside the front and back covers.

Connie