Snippety Gibbet

Valentines

2012-02-02T21:55:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year. I love cutting these.

Steiner School

2012-02-02T18:52:00.002-05:00

What is a Steiner School? from Goat on Vimeo.

I am going to day dream of what it must be like to teach someplace like this. It feels really right to me.

(I picked up this link on the blog, The Magic Onions.)

Es Glantz und Glitzert

2012-01-30T22:14:00.000-05:00

This is a vintage book that I bought on eBay. I had entered a search for "scherenschnitte" and "book." This was the only book that showed up that looked interesting to me. The amount I bid on it was so small that I felt I could overlook the fact that all the directions were written in German. (I do not speak German.)

The book contains tissue paper patterns for Christmas tree ornaments and a nativity scene. It also came with gold foil covered cardstock in the shape of stars. I have a suspicion that it originally came with plain gold cardstock from which you were supposed to cut the ornaments and nativity.

I am curious to see what these things look like as finished pieces so I am trying to figure out how to cut and form a few of them. The illustrations are relatively clear. Thank goodness. I've tried using an online translator with the directions. Here's the level of clarity I got from that: "The Aufhangen of the angel figure happens on a Drahtchen,which is pushed under the Flugelbindung (Fig. c)." Holy Moses.

The only foil paper that I have is very thin, but I used it anyway. Then, I tried to put it together as shown in the illustrations.

I'd like to find something more along the lines of the cardstock that was intended to be used. As the angel is right now, she's floppy and delicate. It would be nice to see the author's real intent for these pieces.

Hand Work in the New Year

2012-01-21T18:56:00.000-05:00

My only real resolution this year was to do something creative every day. I actually have been pretty good about my goal. I just haven't blogged about it.

I've done a lot of crocheting. None of it has been very complicated, but its been pleasurable. I've made a lot of dish cloths and fingerless gloves. I don't have to follow a pattern to make them and they are good for using up a lot of my scrap yarn.

Around the holidays I made a concerted effort to get rid of 100 things. Anything was fair game, large or small. There were lots of odds and ends that were easy to part with, but when I pulled out my old piano keyboard, I just couldn't let it go. My daughter learned how to play piano on this keyboard 25 years ago and it still worked.

Every now and then I've pulled it out and plunked around on it. I can play by ear, but I would expect it isn't the most pleasant sound for anyone else who might hear it. So, I decided that I would learn how to play it properly this year.

Taking lessons from someone after work seemed inconvenient so I bought a book and video training system for learning at my own pace. Self motivated learning suits me well, and I have been diligent about practicing.

After playing the old keyboard for a few days, I discovered that the old girl had developed a few irritating glitches, so the purchase of a new one followed immediately. It arrived two days after I ordered it, so I didn't miss much practice time. MY how these things have improved in a quarter century! Wow! The sound that comes from this new keyboard makes the practice so much more pleasant, as I don't sound as much like I'm playing on a kid's toy.

I'm enjoying my hand work goal this year, and wish I had more hours in a day to do it.

The story of an Artist - Daniel Johnston (with lyrics)

2012-01-18T19:39:00.000-05:00

I happened across this video of an odd artist named Daniel Johnston. I know nothing about him but my curiosity is piqued. (peaked?) So, I'm off to Wikipedia to check him out..........

Well, no I'm not. I forgot Wikipedia is down in protest to SOPA. They do however, have a great way to communicate with your Congressman regarding the issue.

So anyway, Daniel Johnston will have to wait.

BTW....don't get this confused with my Art Room Video site in which I prescreen videos for classroom use. This video has a couple of nudie drawings in it. Since I have a couple of years left until retirement, I wouldn't touch nudies in the classroom with a ten foot pole.

Boy, does that sound weird.

Grandma's Kitchen

2012-01-07T15:45:00.000-05:00

Among my favorite memories of my grandmothers and my mother, are those that center around the kitchen. One grandmother was an amazing cook whose melt in your mouth food was country cooking at its best. The other grandmother and my mom weren't great cooks, but they did let me linger in the kitchen with them and learn the basics.

This is a tiny painting I made about 15 years ago of my Grandmother and Grandfather in their country kitchen. My memories of the goings on in their kitchen are vivid and warm. I especially remember waking up to the sound of the cows outside and the butter churn inside. I remember the huge production of grape juice and jelly making with my cousins. I remember watching with amazement both the cake batter and the very bowl itself moving around under Grandma's ancient standing mixer. There were wooden spoons and antique bowls. There were cans of bacon grease and pitchers of real, raw milk. Fresh eggs. Fresh meat. Homemade butter. Mmmmmmm.......

I want to create lots of warm kitchen memories with my own granddaughter. Whenever we are together, we cook. Holidays together are spent doing the stereotypical kitchen things. Easter eggs at spring visits. Crabs at summer visits. Sugar cookies at Christmas. "Hattie's soup"....campfire cooking..... I hope she has as vivid and warm memories of cooking with me as I have with my own beloved mothers.

Goals

2012-01-05T20:42:00.000-05:00

Hey! Happy new year! I've been thinking a lot about my blog, but I haven't gotten much beyond the thought.

I made goals for myself in the new year. One was that I was going to do something creative every day. That's not too hard when your job is in the arts! But I do mean for that to be a creative act outside of my everyday job. I've done a little snipping so far and a lot of crocheting.

This snip actually has two separate designs. In one direction it shows one design and when it turns, you see the other. Unfortunately, in all the shots I took in my window, I only have this view. The other view can only be seen in the pictures I took with a heinous sparkly red background. After I took a bunch of those shots, I thought I was done. Then I looked at them and hated them. Then I got stuck and couldn't manage to do anything else with those shots. Here they are. You can see the sides of the snip in these.

My goals for the year haven't been too specific, but then, it will be easier to be successful that way.

Scherenschnitte Christmas Trees

2011-12-21T18:38:00.000-05:00

I have finally figured out that my absolute favorite snips to cut are the 3D ones. I just enjoy seeing how the whole design opens up into a big space once I am done.

I didn't put up many decorations this year, so I decided to snip my own Christmas tree. It seemed appropriate. After I decided that I liked them, I thought that I should make some for gifts. Unfortunately, I decided this in the last few days before Christmas. So, I have cut two gift trees, but plan on cutting at least four or five more. We'll see if I actually get those done.

These are about 8" x 12" and may be hung or set on a table.

Art Sub Lessons

2011-12-19T08:27:00.003-05:00

I've started another blog. Art Sub Lessons. It's another one that I created as a place to park ideas for myself, but I thought lots of other people might want to use it also. Please send me links to sub lessons if you find some! Thanks. Jan