I got a big, fat package in the mail today. It was filled with lots of lovely yarn to dye: some wool, some wool and silk blends, and some cotton and linen blends. I love the different textures and possibilities. :)
  I also got a bit of painting in. Here are my latest wee art cards:

I was having one of those days when nothing I tried painting turned out. Smeary, ill looking people all of them.
 My last attempt, above, turned her head away from the poor dears. They were trying so hard to be pretty, but did a terrible job with their makeup.
;-P
 Business-wise things have been at something of a standstill. After trying to find out as much as I could through state and federal websites, and a few phonecalls, I got myself thoroughly confused and frustrated. Now I'm waiting for some literature from the gov. that will hopefully be very helpful. And in the mean time I continue working my "real" job and trying to improve my craft and art skills.

"-- her shoe love continues ... At church on Sundays she sometimes makes a beeline for whoever is wearing the most fashionable shoes and then looks a little taken aback when she looks up to discover those shoes are attached to a person."



My niece and nephew, and their sayings and adventures as recounted by their mum, are a continual source of wonder, inspiration, and amusement. And I have to say, I love the way my sister writes. I can always "just see" what she's writing about. This is what I "saw" when I read the lines quoted above. :-)

Recently I discovered ACEOs. Art Cards, Editions and Originals, is what it stands for and I just love the idea. Basically, the art must measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches, and can be any medium: paint, ink, cloth, metal, etc. It's a great way to collect art you love, whether originals or prints (er...I guess reproductions is the preferred term. Just learned that this week. ;-D )
 I've always loved doing small format art, and am really excited about this concept. The following pictures are my experiments in ACEO size, in watercolour, from the past few days:


Snow-covered bluffs in the evening.


A young friend suggested I paint a girl with her hair blowing in the wind. My first attempt didn't turn out so well; this is my second. :-D


My wee niece thinks laundry is made for playing dress-up. Anything can be a hat, if you know how to wear it!

 

The reading continues, as I try to untangle tax stuff (I probably make it seem even more complicated than it is, though it is rather tangled and confusing business), try to absorb and learn from other peoples' knowledge and experience, and figure out how I want to do things.
 I'm really longing for spring. I went for a long ramble today through the deep snow in the woods. It was warm for a change, though the wind blew, and the snow was sticky. I'm looking forward to being able to open a window without freezing and getting out my oil paints again.
 I don't know if I mentioned it before, but I want to learn how to make and use natural dyes this year. (Another reason I'm looking forward to warmer weather!) The younger kids are about as excited as I am and are going to grow some of the plants we plan to use, while I'm slowly getting the supplies we'll need. I want to try dyeing and using different natural fibers. I've got a big (for me) order of wool yarn on its way, and I'd also like to try dyeing raffia, cotton, and maybe even hemp and silk. Oh the possibilities!
 My shopping list gets longer every week. ;-P
 

Now if only my paycheck would grow along with it!

I'm getting faster at weaving or plaiting raffia, and can do an inch a minute now (that's five feet an hour! woohoo!). I'm thinking I need at least 25-30 feet to do a hat, much more if the brim is wide, and then there's actually sewing it together. Time-consuming, but enjoyable. :-)


And three other hats...  This one is made from chenille yarn:

These next two are 100% nylon, and very, very soft. :)
And this... (Not quite my style, but I think it would look just lovely on someone else.) :)