Paw Prints

It’s a fairly common composition for me

Originally uploaded by Elaine with Grey Cats.

I’ve taken the painting Joy and have applied a white gesso over much of the surface, scraping away some to reveal the dark, original painting. It’s almost a grisaille technique.

The next stage was adding the blues and greens. I’ve added more texture, which surprised me — i’m surprised to find myself wanting the effect. I ended up using my fingers — i’ve more control, and was able to remove the texture of the brush strokes and get a more smooth surface in some of the more gel-rich sections. I love the blue, but plan on this being more green. I’ll do some glazing in yellow next.

(Paint2006.01-060204-Joy)

Roll2006.10, new 400 speed film — same film purchase as 8-10 — Big Basin and still in camera. I need to make sure to get the film make noted before developing this roll! — Fujicolor Superia
Roll2006.11, new 400 film, Kodak HD4 “High Definition” — Mt Diablo
Roll2006.12, new 400 film, Kodak HD4 “High Definition” — Mt Diablo, still in camera
Roll2006.10,Roll2006.11,Roll2006.12

Birthday Cat

Originally uploaded by Elaine with Grey Cats.

Inspired by PhotoJoJo
www.photojojo.com/content/diy/how-to-make-a-postcard-mosa…
and
www.photojojo.com/content/tutorials/turn-photos-into-comi…
with additional help from
this color palette tool

I made a VERY LARGE version of this image for my nephew. I get to print and cut and then start mailing pieces to China….

It’s probably not that interesting at high res, but for a three year old, i think it will be OK.

Crochet work

Originally uploaded by Elaine with Grey Cats.

I noticed the pile of mending and, not feeling well after a late work night, i puttered with yarn.

The yarn is from a stash of crewel work yarn i purchased off eBay. It required lots of dealing with ends, but worked out OK.

The motifs were to cover some holes worn in a pair of Christine’s jeans. Star? Flower? Pentagon? Not too cute or “sweet.” I would have done one more round with picots emphasizing the points to make it more star like, i think, but she liked the simplicity of this.
The "shaft" of the arrow was one long chain, then sc around. The arrow was ad libbed single crochet decreases, but turned out OK.

I noted the hem was fraying a bit, so i did a blanket stitch on which i hooked in to make a row of single crochet. "Behind" the sc i used a slip stitch to connect the picots.

I do like the oak leaf and acorn motif in this scarf, even though i don’t really like the scarf (scarflette) design. I can imagine incorporating the motifs into some neck-laces. So, i bought the pattern.

Here’s the description:

The Mighty Oak Scarflette is like an oak branch you can wear!
(Albeit, much much softer). Fun and whimsical acorns and oak leaves
adorn this mini-scarf. You can make the leaves and acorns in any
combination of colors; take inspiration from the different species of
oaks and different stages in the season.

Also, there’s Mighty Acorn – a sweet little friend you can crochet.
He’s bigger than the acorns in the scarflette but small enough to fit
in your hand, pocket, or whereever! AND, you get him at NO additional
charge if you buy the Mighty Oak Scarflette pattern – yay!

I had GIS homework to do at Foothill’s campus so stopped at the Book Arts Jam. The exhibition was much more interactive than last year: more like vendors than a gallery. While i can see why exhibitors and most folks might like that better, i found it too crowded and contrary to my desires. there was a slide show of some Bay Area Book Arts‘ members work. I sat through some of that. At home i went through the URLs of exhibitors listed in the program. A set of those links are in a del.icio.us collection.

I’ve often looked at shrugs and just not “gotten it,” but it occurred to me this weekend that a shrug would be a perfect bed jacket to wear while sitting up and reading. Best part is only Christine will ever see it, so i can practice in making it and get utility out of it, even if it’s horrible.

I still need to get the baby blanket done (argh!), but i spent some time this weekend on making plastic yarn and then doing a row around the plastic tote. I’m not sure it’s going to bee a bike pannier at this point, just because i think i can get more utility out of a shopping tote. We’ll see.

I also experimented crocheting earrings to go with the green and gold necklace. The harvest festival is fast approaching!