Remember Me?

Taking a little break is reasonable. Not blogging since last fall is ridiculous. Sorry about that. (I'm assuming there might still be one or two people who haven't given up hope, who still check this sad blog, and who will actually read this.)

Let's see: there were birthdays, Christmas, snow, cold, winter, more snow, more cold, and more winter. Daughters 3 and 4 went to cleft clinic: a fun-filled, action packed day with 13 or so specialists who evaluate all the many, varied things that can be "wrong" with a cleft kiddo. Seriously, it's a good thing and we learned some good things and the doctors are all fantastic with the kids.

We learned daughter 3 has gigantic tonsils but they're helping her talk--really--and so, if a sleep study shows they aren't bothering her sleep, she gets to keep them.

Daughter 4 charmed the socks off the doctors and caught their collective attention. They all agree she's smart, engaging, etc and there's no physical reason she can't speak. They suspect she has dyspraxia--which I'm still researching. Daughter 4 is scheduled for about five million tests over the next few months but we're getting a handle on this "thing" which is keeping her from telling us everything on her mind---and we know there's a lot on her mind.

On the creative side, paint is the new rage here. As a special treat, we've been pulling out the acrylic craft paint, the wooden toys and dolls, and enjoying some quality time together. Okay, it's a bit challenging to make sure the paint goes where it should and everything gets cleaned up but we have an old knackered dining table and chipped tile flooring so spills are no big deal.

I started making these spool/ peg dolls. It's been quite a learning curve--learning the tricks of painting small, etc. I'm still trying to master the craft but we're having a blast on dark winter nights, hoping for spring to arrive soon.

My Creative Space Digital

I'm working on a plan. A Christmas present plan. If it works, it could save me massive time and stress.

Okay, here's the deal: I'm designing a school girl (and possibly boy) pattern. Saved as a jpg I'll send it off to be printed by Spoonflower. Three wonderful cheers for Spoonflower. I'll whip together the front and backs patterns and presto! Little dolls wearing our school's uniform and ready to be given to teachers and students.

(I have not grown big ears and a tail. That is my assistant Pep helping me. If he tries to tell you he does all the design work around here, just smile and ignore him.) And then click here for other creative spaces with amazing ideas although perhaps not with sock monkies.

Michigan is Growing

For the Coopersville Farm Museum art and photography contest. The theme is Michigan's bounty. Actually, graphic--computer generated illustration does not neatly fit into one of their categories so this may not be an official entry. We'll see what they say when I submit it tomorrow.

**** The fine folks at the Farm Museum loved the illustration and placed it in the "catch all" category. Yippee!*****

My Creative Space--Be Prepared

Christmas is coming whether the goose is on a diet or not. You know and I know it.

I have just finished my calculations. I estimate that I will need approximately 455,672,003 Christmas presents--give or take a few thousand. I'm not talking about gifts for family. I'm talking about tokens of appreciation for all those "others": the butcher, the baker, the burrito maker.

You know how it is. You go through life meeting people who then must be given a Christmas present. Just when you think you've got it sorted the taxidermist gives you 15 lbs of reindeer meat gift wrapped in a buffalo hide and then what do you do? You've got no more paper mache machetes to give--augh!

That's why I'm making my list early and checking more than twice. I'm thinking the gift of choice this year will be notebooks with hand-embroidered covers--at least for teachers and preachers and friends. Which is why I'm getting started now and why My Creative Space features lots of floss.

For more creative spaces (which probably do not mention reindeer meat) check here.