Monday - Actually Made Something Arty!

I made a collage comprised of several layers of mixed media. I tried to capture the special relationship I have with my sister-in-law (sister of the heart), Kathy. Not only does our relationship inspire me, but so do Kathy's tips about textiles included in mixed media art. It didn't scan very well so I may try to photograph it in daylight. Kathy is the central figure and also the figure with a white second line parasol. Next to the dancing figure are the words "Sister of My Heart."

Monday - The Mall Can Be Really Scary

I went to the mall to see the optometrist and get new glasses. Unfortunately, my right eye is seven times worse than it was a couple of years ago. If that wasn't bad enough, It costs more to put lenses in my expensive, beautiful, still stylish frames that it does to buy the store's junky frames with the same lenses. This makes me crazy! I told the technician he should wear a bandit's mask.

Still in shock, I was staggering off to my car when I passed Old Navy. I was startled to see those creepy mannequins that are so bizarre in their TV ads. There is something about them that is frightening, almost as bad as clowns. I wonder if they walk around when the mall is closed and all the lights are off. They even have a scary dog!

Sunday - Knitting

I am convinced that knitting can induce the brain to enter an alpha wave state. All I need is a biofeedback machine. To induce this super relaxed state, I knit items that are very simple. These are exfoliating wash cloths knitted in cotton. They are perfect for the face, providing a gentle exfoliation without irritating gentle skin. Simple but so nice to use.

Saturday - The trouble with ironing

Sarah went to so much trouble to perfectly iron her cotton dress, but could not resist a nap that wrinkled it.

Friday - Waking Up Is Hard to Do

When my telephone alarm clock wakes me up, I find my spectacles, put them on and squint to see the 10 minute snooze choice. I do that several times. It's a terrible habit to get into. The cat tries to get me up and lately Pedro is sanding the outside of the building right on my bedroom wall. It sounds as though I'm having my tooth drilled. But I persist. Today, I took some phone pics of this silly process while even Lola the cat tried her best to rouse me. All of this and I still went back to sleep for another ten minutes. The object on the wall is a cast of Nicole C's abdomen 3 days before she gave birth. The breasts are dressed with silk rose petals.

Saturday - Partial Purse Collection

It is my belief that a woman cannot have too many accessories. Today I'm focused on purses. Some other day we'll look at all the jewelry (mostly costume) and scarves. I don't have a large shoe collection because I lost so many in Katrina, it's hard to enjoy buying them now. Also I now require comfortable shoes which aren't as exciting to acquire. My purses are purchased inexpensively at discount stores, thrift shops and occasionally a vintage store. Some are made by me and others have been made or purchased as gifts for me. I have no good storage solution, so I've started hanging them on the walls where they make there own art statements. Here are a few.

To see the purses clearly, just click on the photo. The first photo has a purse that I made by scanning an M.R.E. (Meals Ready to Eat) for military and distributed here after Katrina. I printed the MRE on special fabric that can be used in a computer printer and made it part of the bag. The inside has pockets made of photo images on cloth of the MRE contents. The second bag was made with lots of detail by my sister, Kathy, and is decorated with fabric yo yos. The third bag is a silk purse I bought for $1.00 at a thrift store. Last but not least is a lovely silk embroidered bag that I received as a gift.

The next column has a blue alligator stamped bag probably from WalMart and a shrimp colored crochet bag from W.M. Behind it is a red leather bag from a thrift store. Next is another amazing bag (notice the detail) made by Kathy. Fleur de Lis fabric and a fancy button help to make it look really snazzy. It has fancy handles and a zipper! The next little bag is a silk thrift store find. And last is a purple "alligator" bag with a chain handle from a jewelry show. (I don't know why some of the colors are not accurate.)

In the third column is a bag I made that features sushi cartoon fabric. The edge that goes around the bag looks like a peeled shrimp. Inside are pockets that are fabric photos of real shushi. The handle is bamboo, of course. Next, a black silk bag with beading found for $1.oo. Next to it a little brown bag, also $1.00. It has lots of compartments. The camera bag is hanging nesxt to it. Behind the camera bag is a small gold, quilted bag for glitzy nights, also a $1.00 find. Below it is a wool purse that I knitted then felted (by shrinking in hot water to create a tight weave). It's lined and trimmed with felted flowers. Last is a tan bag with a pink lower case "L". You remember those bags from a few years back. It's nice and roomy and comfy on the shoulder when it's full.

That's just a part of the collection. I hope it inspires you to make a purse or cruise a thrift shop!

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Lee

Friday

Morning can be a strange time in a white bathroom. Looking at myself in the mirror, I wonder how I ended up looking this way. An electric toothbrush is a strange artifact when you think about it. I wonder how much trouble it would cause if I just didn't show up for work and didn't call in either. The white disc says surreal. I can't remember where I found it, I think in a jar of "mud" for my hair. I stuck it to the mirror just because.

Day 8 - Friday

The Patio

Portrait of a Creole girl with lovely eyes

Don and I went to dinner at LeCitron on Tchoupitoulas - an odd location near WalMart. It's the oldest building on this side of Canal Street. The owner renovated it himself and included the complete history of the location on the back of the menu. There are several intimate rooms and a very attractive, roomy, but quiet bar. The food and service were very good. Don had a dark, duck gumbo- the best I've ever tasted. Chef hadn't tried to fill it up with other meats like sausage or ham. There's a lovely courtyard, but it was too hot for that. They also have a Sunday brunch that we plan to try. It's a la carte, not one of those icky buffets. The only flaw - no biscuits on the brunch menu.

Day 7 - Thursday

Gave a small plastic trophy to a client who deserved a big reward for getting through a terrible time. People do respond to symbolson a deep level, even when they are inexpensive. This is a good technique for me because it comes naturally from my own need for symbols and metaphors. What a joy it is to watch someone really get the "ah-ha" moment when they are gifted a token or a story.

Day 6 - Wednesday

I had to come home at lunch time due to exhaustion. Pinched some lovely crepe myrtle blossoms from the neighbor's and our own yard and made a little bouquet! I took a half-knitted wash cloth to bed with me, but just couldn't do it. Slept off and on from 1:00PM until Thursday morning at 6:30AM. Exhaustion is not conducive to creativity.

Day 5 - Tuesday

After spending all day Monday in the office doing paperwork, I came home and knitted up a nifty face cloth for future gifting. This went so well that I worked on Tuesday from 9AM until 8PM. The most creative thing I did was allow my cotherapist to do all the work in group at the end of the day. That wasn't too hard since I took some pain medicine when group started.

Day 4 - Monday Self portrait May 2009

I have documented the events leading up to my recent surgery and the recovery. I'm using various photos and "souvenirs" to create a hysterectomy artist's book. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to cover the surgery itself. This photo was taken just prior to having a radiograph (X-ray) of the chest. The tech had me sick little metal bull's eyes on each nipple. I'd only had those before for mamograms. Here I am in the tiny "room" in which you disrobe and gown up. I think this photo is an accurate representation of my SELF at the time. I got a copy of the report on the X-Rays and it shows some degeneration of the "frontal" spine. However, after 20 years of not smoking my lungs are clear. This is the point at which my lung cancer risk decrease - 20 years out!

Day 3 - Sunday

I went to Michael's with Kathy, my sistuh, and got some more yo yo makers in different sizes. Also found some new cotton yarn and have finished a special face cloth that exfoliates without injuring tender skin. Michael's also had fabric lined baskets on sale so I had to have some of those for all the yarn and yo yo stuff. Kathy and I spent the evening knitting quietly. Don and I created a lovely, healthful salad bar for dinner - I should have taken a picture. Kathy said, "I LOVE salad bar!" So that's two creative things yesterday, the salad bar and the face cloth.

Day 2 _ Saturday

I created a yogini necklace for Mary S., my sis-in-law because she regularly goes to classes. I haven't photographed it yet though. It features a medalion - a yo yo (of course) with a yogini whose crown chakra is glowing (a swavarski crystal). The necklace is silk cord with beads representing the chakra colors at unevenly spaced intervals. Then Mary asked me to fix a pair of her earrings and I agreed. Photo to be posted.

Reincarnation Day One

I am attempting to restart my 365 project which involves me committing an act of creativity and posting it each day. I will begin with a new Day One. My hope is to stay focused on random acts of creativity on a daily basis - the original intention of this blog. Here is my latest attempt started yesterday and finished today June 12. This set is made from salvaged floral ribbon and costume fabric yo yo's along with on hand jewelry supplies. I used yo yo makers that I was gifted by my sistuh (in law), Kathy. This set will be given to her this weekend during her visit to New Orleans. Hopefully, I will learn to focus my camera - it's supposed to be automatic!