First Fabric Book Attempt

Emphasis on "attempt".  I loved thinking about it, planning it and making it. Sadly though, it didn't meet my expectations. This first draft fabric book will become a tiny family heirloom and serves as practical experience for me, the crafter who has to dabble.  

My long term goal was to create a vehicle for telling my stories, that could also be tactile . . . textile.  I learned all about treating fabric for printing directly onto it, complete with freezer paper backing to carry it through.  I had written "The Dream of the Narwhal" and found images to go with my words.  Added some lace, ribbon and appliqued self-printed backgrounds displaying my story, I came up with this:  (The actual book's words are not fuzzy, it's the camera)

Dream of the Narwhal

by Dora Haymond

Copy of a painting by Sir William Jardine from the mid 1800's

"Dream of the Narwhal"

Inside cover, two pockets, ship image, applique self printed shell, background and words, lace trim.

"Diving deep below the ice . . . floating near the ocean floor . . . a narwhal dreams."

 Narwhal image (finally ran down the artist, Vintage by the Shore so I'll have to use another picture if I sell future versions) background, words appliqued, ribboned lace trim.

"His powerful horn cuts through the darkness leaving trails of light."

Image Greenlander Spearing a Narwhal

"A swish to the left and the hunters withdraw their harpoons."

No idea on this beautiful graphic, appliqued background,words and small fish

"To the right, orca and polar bear become the Artic's lion and lamb."

Inuit family, appliqued background, words, lacy print.

"In deepest dreams his soul is honored, an Inuit sacrifice . . .nothing is wasted."

Old print Inuit village, appliqued background, words, lace trim.

"As his body strengthens new life, his bones shaped into tools . . ."

Appliqued pictures, ribbon, lace, see through curtain piece

"the narwhal spirit rises . . ."

". . . he sings and the deep echoes its reply."

Back cover appliqued background, words, jute ribbon trim

"Lavender Dreams by Dora Haymond"

Background images by Carena's Designs

Spine of beige and white calico print

Of course its not all together a loss, I'm just not pleased with how the pages extend past the covers, my hand sewing is less than stellar, plus it was quite labor intensive for an idea I hope to duplicate.  So . . . back to the drawing board.

Thank you for your interest in my work,

Dora

I've been in an unintentional brainstorming sessions.  You know, one of those that erupt out of the blue, and suddenly you're taking notes, making drawings and buying material? Well, that's where I've been. And usually, it is totally exhausting, but this time I'm energized.  But, before I get too far into it, I had a fit of normalcy and thought "You'd better take some pictures!".  Now, if I could only find my camera . . . .

. . .  and that was (going to be) the post back on Valentine's Day, you know, about a year ago!!!!  What is it about February? Sure, it's a short month - but this year a day longer, and still it vanishes. I found the camera, took some pictures and next thing I know, it's almost my daughter's birthday. So, instead of crafts today, it's time to focus on Jessie.

What a dream of a daughter.  Often my dh, Chris, reminds me how different our lives might be if Jessie were "normal".  But not it a bad way . . . in a "I'm-so-thankful-she's-Jessie" way. 30 years ago, Jessie was born via C-section, the last of my five children.  The abnormality?  Down Syndrome. Yeah, I know, no problem . . . but back then . . .

She barely survived her first 2 months, having an AV canal in her heart, meaning basically she had wide open chambers in her heart.  Fortunately, Dr. Bailey of baboon heart transplant fame was available to repair Jessie's heart, but truly it's her heart that repairs us. Talk about open chambers ~ she lets everyone into her love-filled rooms.

Jessie, her dad and I all call each other "King" and "Queen".  Jessie's getting a little ahead of the day, wearing her "crown" all day long today.  What's not to love about Jessie's excitement about her birthday?  We all get whatever we want on our birthdays in this house, and Jessie wants: breakfast in bed (bacon, poached eggs toast and milk) and prime rib, asparagus, green salad for her birthday dinner naturally followed by cake, ice cream and presents. And with each fulfilled request, Jessie beams with gratitude followed by her cooing little "unnnnh".  One of the other differences about having a daughter like Jessie is what she is genuinely happy to receive as a present.  Just ask her. "Anything." she'll say, then turns to smile at her imaginary friend and unnnh. Ah, to be queen ~ the true queen of hearts . . . Jessie.

(Sam, Jessie's boyfriend and the birthday girl last year)

Can't wait for tomorrow . . . . unnnnnhh!!!

Dora

Sneak (p)review of where I WAS going with this blog 2 weeks ago . . .

 

Look forward to talking to you in the next few days.

Thanks for reading along,

Dora

Today's Word . . . Gratitude

Today, in of all places, the Dollar Store, I mindlessly thumbed through a book, and read something along the line of living by purposeful gratitude/thankfulness.  There is so much in my life to be grateful for. My dear son Josh came for a visit after we had missed each other in passing over the past 13 years. We moved to Oregon from California only after all the boys from my first marriage were at least 18.  I wanted them to feel free to come with us, but none did. Months turn into years, thoughts turn to the immediate goals of building dreams and holding down jobs, lives slip through the years.  I am so thankful for this visit.

Josh, Jessie, Me, Chris

While Josh was here, he helped us stack some wood

 and to my dear hubby's delight, helped fill sand bags and reinforce the shooting range. 

Josh left for California today by Greyhound, 

so when I got home, I wanted to document his efforts on the barrier wall and was drawn to taking pictures all around the home, I am grateful for the blessings I've been awarded. Come take a walk around the porch.  You can see a lot from here.

Boots from yard work, Jessie in her room

Jessie's practice hoop, tonight's bbq 

The vegetable garden's promise of spring ~ 

the gazebo to rest from the garden's work

late season hummingbird, chickadee blending in

the memorial and the neighbor's horses that grace our view

Lots of places to pass a lazy afternoon . . .

Grab a rocker, watch the sun as it leads us into evening, grab a hunk of wood on your way in . . . it's getting chilly out here.  As always,

Thanks for coming by,

Dora

Dare to Dream Different . . .

. . . and to do that, you have to "Take Time To Dream".  That's the name of the mini-booklet I put together for the Dare to Dream Different Art Challenge, over at Sandy Babb's Quill Cottage.  That is what this challenge helped me to do, take time. . . then take time to dream.  Through Sandy's introspective musings, I too was challenged both by the theme of the challenge and in fulfilling the spirit of it. I needed to enter into it with something new to me.  I am new to the blogoshpere, just started this month. I am new to challenges, too.  So I want to thank you Sandy for presenting this challenge at the perfect time in my journey.  I loved doing it and I feel I'm already a winner from the personal insights gained.


 I have never made a mini-booklet.  I gathered information online, but to do the accordion style I had in mind, I was supposed to use one long sheet of paper.  But that was for a really mini, mini booklet.  I wanted to use larger pictures, so I sewed 4 sections together to make my 10 page booklet. But for me, the most important part was the words, ie., Words to Live By. The words came first (part of that "taking time" process -  you can read a little about it here).  I chose which of the barefoot girls on Sandy's site would fit my story, except I always knew I would use the one with the crane.  Then I sought images on the web to express my other thoughts, put all of them through Photoshop Elements to add the vintage old-photo brown coloring, as well as the glow evident in many of the pictures to give them a dream-like quality. Added some digital scrapbook elements, printed a pattern onto the back side of the pages,did some hand stamping, "gilded" the edges with a gold leaf pen and sewed the pages together. Created a digital collage for the front and back covers, added a title and here you are. . . Take Time To Dream   

In dreams . . . I am a little girl again, innocent, trusting, hopeful.

I believe I can do anything.  Nothing is too silly, too odd to try.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not even tying a ribbon around a bird, expecting to be lifted up with him as he takes off in flight.

On his wings, I see the earth below, I feel so free. 

Anything is possible . . . in my dreams.

I am learning to live my dreams, grabbing creativity around the neck,


looking down on the walls of doubt and fear I had built around me. 


 From here they seem so small.

And the more I dream, the more I see of that little girl . . .


. . . running barefoot through fields of light, innocent, trusting, hopeful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Come fly with me . . .

Thank you all for coming by . . . 


Dora




PS. (If you'd really like the rest of the details, say so in your comment and I'll gladly fill you in.)




Words to Live By
Avalon Steampunk

I wish I could show you . . .

Yes, I wish I could show you the cute little accordion booklet I made for the challenge put up by Sandy Babbs over at Quill Cottage.  But . . . the "show" date isn't until Monday Jan. 31.  So . . .I'll just show the cover, but more importantly, at least for me . . . the words.  I  mean, this IS Words to Live By . . . so . . .


Here's the cover

and the words


Take Time To Dream


In dreams ~ I am a little girl again, innocent, trusting, hopeful.


I believe I can do anything.  Nothing is too silly, too odd to try.


Not even tying a ribbon around a bird, expecting to be lifted up with him as he takes off in flight.


On his wings, I see the earth below, I feel so free.  Anything is possible . . . in my dreams.


I am learning to live my dreams, grabbing creativity around the neck,


looking down on the walls of doubt and fear I had built around me.  From here they seem so small.


And the more I dream, the more I see of that little girl . . . 


. . . running barefoot through fields of light, innocent, trusting, hopeful.


Come fly with me. . .




These words have more meaning to me than simply pages in a booklet to join a challenge.  I had a session with a biofeedback practitioner and one of the areas that showed up as a past problem that needed clearing was as a 3 year old girl.  When I tried to do as instructed, to let that 3 year old me feel safe, to comfort her, I couldn't do it.  Other areas that needed clearing were more successful, but this one . . . I don't know why, but I was at a loss.  Surprisingly, I began to weep. Then this challenge came up, and as many things have been on my journey to spiritual health, just at the perfect time.


Something about it grabbed me and I started working on it right away.  Though Sandy posted the challenge on Jan. 8th, I didn't find it and respond to it until Jan. 13. I saw the biofeedback gal Jan. 18th and finished the booklet by Jan. 22.  It's something I've never done before, first of all join a challenge and second, make a booklet. It all just . . . happened.  And whether or not I win the challenge . . . I have simultaneously gone back to meet the little girl in me and I've grown more into the woman I want to be.  That's what I call a real win.  


Come back later Monday to see the inside of my life-affirming booklet.  I just can't wait to share it with you.


Thanks for coming by,


Dora

The Bead Soup Blog Party participants have been chosen . . .

. . . and I'm not one of them.  But, Lori Anderson, originator of this extremely popular event had a great suggestion for us also rans.  On the reveal day of March 3rd, we can show our own creations, inspired by the challenge, but on our own sites.  Then, we go visit the actual partiers and comment on their work.  "Genuine comments" not "nice necklace, now come see mine". With genuine comments, partiers are likely to come and check us out and see our work, thus driving visitors to our sites.  What a genius idea Lori!  But it came at the cost of a sleepless night for Lori, worrying about the rest of us.  In the same unofficial challenge, we are encouraged to do something out of our comfort zone, using beads and focals we don't remember why we bought in the first place.  


This weekend, I took several focals to the Oregon coast with me and bought some new beads to go with them.  I enjoyed this bead hunt. And after I learned I wasn't officially in the party, I got to work on one of my necklaces.  Here's what I've got so far:

The focal and the planned accompanying beads

Almost finished, just needs a clasp

Here's a couple of other groupings I've got planned:

Come back soon and see how they turn out.

Thanks for visiting me today.

Dora

Some very intentional diversion

My dear hubby took me to the coast Sunday and Monday for some very intentional diversion.  Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. day to most people this year.  For me, it is the second year that my second son Seth is not around for his birthday.  Born January 16, 1977 Seth passed away Christmas Eve 2009 likely from a seizure he had while alone in his room. Family has been supportive but I miss him so much.

Here at the coast it was snowing.  Seth loved snow, he was a snowboarder.  I can't seem to get away from memories of him, even with this sweetly planned diversion.  I did take a few pictures, but it hadn't snowed yet.

We had a suite on the 6th floor overlooking Coos Bay. We took a day trip up to Florence, I bought some beads in case I'm chosen for the Bead Soup Blog Party that I'll show you next blog.  The diversion, though wonderfully well-intended has been minimally helpful.  A mother's heart can never forget and I don't believe there will be a final tear.


Thanks for your shoulder,


Dora

One more thing . . .

See that cute little barefoot girl over there to the right? That's a challenge from Sandy Babb over at Quill Cottage who through some introspection of her own, decided some things she was doing and some clothes she was wearing needed to be kicked off like a pair of shoes that pinched and hurt. 

“In other words, to free myself of the confines of something that was so uncomfortable and disagreeable."

She has provided several adorable pictures of barefoot children to use in your art and asks the questions:

“If you could run barefoot in one area of your life what would it be?

What is holding you back”

What would it take to kick off those shoes and run with your dream?

This is a perfect fit for me on my path to physical, emotional and spiritual health.  Go on over and read the full post.  It is rich with honesty, thought provoking common sense, an urging to let yourself be free to be yourself. She does it all within the analogy of kicking off the shoes that make walking your path miserable and instead, going barefoot for awhile.  Thank you Sandy for inviting me into the meadow, barefoot and full of expectation.

Dora

Portions for my proportions

Well, before all the buzz over being the biggest craft hoarder, I was doing something sensible.  I was dividing into portions foods, that left to my own devices, would end up being snacked up within a few days.  The main two items are Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats and my Kirkland (Costco) Calcium Chews. Both are very tasty, and very easy to just keep on munching.


I know, it sounds rudimentary.  But as much as I've heard it before, I've never done it.  And it has helped tremendously.  Here's a picture of my portions:

And, I had finished this necklace:

And somewhere in there we had company over for a prime rib dinner that was to die for.  The best I have EVER eaten! This came as a surprise because I had tried something new for me, I cooked it in the Showtime rotisserie countertop oven.  I learned the use of the sear feature and it came out perfect. For those of you interested: An 8 pound rib eye roast, stabbed with garlic, sear for 25 minutes, rotisserie for 1 hour and 10 minutes for a very pink center.  We were so excited to try it, I forgot to take an after picture until it was too cooled off to look good.  Guess we'll just have to try that recipe again . . . soon.

Well, this portion didn't help my proportions . . . the the prepackaged portions will.  So far I have lost 7 lbs.  My mind is supporting me in being kind to myself in only eating what is good for my body, this temple of light.


Talk to you soon,


Dora

I have returned from the abyss!!!

CRAFTSU Social Network sent me an email on January 11, announcing that a "major television production company is casting extreme crafting enthusiasts for a new major television series".  I was invited to send some photos of my crafts, my workspace and myself, along with a phone number, to them.


So. . . . for the past 3 days I have probably been doing just what I shouldn't have.  I cleaned up my craft areas.  I don't know about you other crafters out there, but once I get into my major craft area I am swallowed whole, never to be seen for hours at a time.  But I persevered, despite ruining my chances for being the biggest craft hoarder, and TOTALLY cleaned and organized my humble room. I say humble because my shelves consist of milk crates, nut cans and 6 x 8" cutoffs supporting a mismatched batch of boards and plywood. Quite shabby, not so chic. Take a look:

That's the major craft room, here is the jewelry area in my 10 x 6 office, which also houses 3 computers, 2 printers, 2 large rolling file cabinets, a small desk as well as built in desk all around.  My desk chair can only roll about 18" in any direction without hitting one of the work areas.

Then, there's the alternate kitchen table where I make my clay snowball ornaments, and the downstairs kitchen where I store completed items ready to be shipped when sold in my Etsy store:

Then, there was the assemblage of photos to show some of my work.  Using Publisher then Photoshop Elements, I spent considerable time finding, arranging, cropping and correcting enough pictures to show the range of things I make.  I crafted ;) a letter of interest, then included these photos.  There's a bunch of 'em, so sit back, relax and come into my crafting world.

Then there was the fine print.  I read that the age group they were looking for was 18-50.  I may feel 50, or even less, but I'm not. I've got a really clean house though, and my craft rooms . . . ready for the next project.  Next blog . . . how's the eating plan going?

Thanks for visiting,

Dora