Hazy Estuary

Today's horror- "Today you will meet someone unusual who will change one of your long-held opinions." OK

This post is all about MY 'crafty' projects- see yesterday's about crappy crafts, and sure enough, here I am in the middle of doing them! But dammit, I will do them artistically .

Yesterday was 'shop-till-I-dropped-day', in spite of the horror-scope telling me not to spend a cent on anything all day or risk dire consequences. I spent most of the day at craft stores buying the one or two items I need to finish this or that project.





At 'Crafts n' Stuff' I found some jewelry findings to finally get the military truck necklace strung and finished. Also picked up a set of jewelers pliers because it makes things so much easier than using my tweezers . I bought loose fiberfill for stuffing the set of sock animals I am in the middle of- well, they are cut out and ready to go but I couldn't proceed without something to make them fat. (Years ago I made Mandy a hippopotamus out of an orphan fuzzy sock from the dryer but it got lost over time and she always missed it. Instead she attached herself to a stuffed eggplant- instead of animals she had stuffed vegetables...and still sleeps with it. Her husband is a prince.) Back then I never let a thing go without making something out of it. Anyway, a few months ago I got a little book on these imaginary sock animals, great sources for how to cut them out, and I bought a 3-pair pack of men's stripey socks at Banana Republic so I am set to go now. Found some heavyweight medium gel to try for the decoupage since I am having some problems with the liquidy one. And I spent a long time looking at all those scrapbook papers- would be great for decoupage when I loose interest in using my photos. And I also found the gold and silver paint pens for the edges of the decoupage.

Next door, at JoAnns, I got an assortment of buttons for the weird-animal eyes. I was after buttons with crosses or spirals on them so it would look like a cartoon knocked-out face , but found a set of huge snaps meant for a coat and I can take big stitches through the outside holes for the same look. Also got some brown grosgrain with chartreuse dots and some black and white checks for collars or bows. Also bought the latest Quilting Arts magazine and noticed a NEW magazine (new to me) on the shelf that is devoted to 'Christian Crafting'. OHMIGAWD. Why can't the Christians do the same crafts that the rest of us do? What is the difference between Jewish crafting and Wiccan crafting? This drives me nuts- more exclusion, more division in the ranks. What is going on in this world?

But, back to JoAnns- I also got a 10" canvas so I can enter that small works show in Lowell this summer, the one where the largest side has to be less than 11". Now, to DO something, hope I have time. Of course, this is still another project I will have to get at. Oh, also got two sets of brushes, foam in a package and some real nice ones since I ruin them so quickly. Also bought one with about two hairs in it so I can finish the paint-by-numbers Venice canvas that I am using the wrong colors for. I sort of ran out of steam on it because it just wasn't looking all that bad. Maybe next I will do the cat or the cowboy that came in the same set but figure out a different formula for screwing up the paint numbers.

And finally I went to the big mall to Crate and Barrel to buy up some more glass plates. Yesterday I soaked off three or four pieces I wasn't all that happy with so today I will reprint the photos and go back to square 1.

So, right now I have animals, plates, jewelry, and a painting- make that two paintings- to get at, not to mention finishing the entry forms I have stacked up next to me.

So I am off. I'll post the pictures later.

Oh, before I forget, the folks on QA are all talking about their spring flowers popping through the ground so I will tell you that when I open the window here I get absolutely assaulted by the scent of jasmine. It's intoxicating, and I think that this is as good as it can get, but I round the corner of the house and get the scent of the orange tree blossoms. Just for pretty we have bougainvilla covering the wall and it's finally coming back after the hurricane. On the other hand, because it's getting warmer here every day, my impatients are dying back, and my Home Depot hibiscus have stopped blooming. Like you care, right?