Monday Photo - Signs

One of my favorite parts of Cleveland - Little Italy. Look at all the signs on just this one tiny corner! I love the crowded buildings, uneven sidewalks, store banners, sandwich boards, all dominated by the church spires and statues. Of course, it is almost impossible to get a photo of any of these, without the ever-present electric wires draped across the sky.

Monday Photo - My Workspace

The theme for this week's photo is My Workspace. Since I spent the entire weekend in the yard and garden, I really thought about posting that as my current workspace. However, the "treehouse" still has my heart.

The room is long and narrow, and runs across the back of the old part of our house. It truly is only about 6 feet wide, and doesn't seem that wide, due to the shelves, built ins, and sewing tables. While at work in this room, I tend to take off my shoes, and never wear a bulky sweater (even in the winter) because I feel as though I take up too much space!

Below you see my primary work surface, which is atop a long antique library table. It butts up agains an old school desk. The surface of the school desk is covered with things I can't store just yet, and things keep creeping onto the surface of the library table. Though I've cleaned it off recently, I have two projects going right now, so the entire surface is pretty well covered - but not too deeply! My sewing machine and serger are on small tables on the wall opposite the window.

The bulletin board on the end wall has print-outs of faces and projects I find inspiring.
Here's a peek at the primary work "hole" and the view out my lone window. Obviously, I'm auditioning fabrics!
I'm fairly adjusted to the cramped space - at least I have a space of my own - and am grateful to have such a beautiful view outside the window. The only thing I really dislike about the room is the 1980s era dark brown SHAG carpeting. Not only is the color dreary, it shows every bit of lint and thread!

Molly

In motion:

In watch mode:

Observations

Spring. Joy. Contentment.

What a Face!

On Sunday I began working on Colleen Babcock's new pattern, "Fathoms of the Deep." So far, the head and face are done - rather a Norma Desmond look, don't you think? ("Ready for my closeup...")

This is the first time I've made one of Colleen's patterns, but I am definitely looking into rounding up more. Delightful. I'll share more of this one as I go.

Iowa Retreat - Last September

I guess I'm on a roll - I finished another doll. This is my tattered moth from Sherry & Jean's retreat in Iowa last September.

Full View

Side View

Looking up

Face view

Back view

Wing detail

I'm really pleased, but I want to find the instructions and make another now that I have the learning experience behind me!

Long Road to Completion

Frankly, I don't remember when I took Pearl Moon's online class "Ancient Icons." I know I finished the first doll, and started this one - Asia - and then set it aside. I also happen to know I started it before we moved to Ohio, so it has to be at least five years.
These photos were taken outside, this morning, because I was so happy to have finally finished a project, I didn't want to wait to find and set up the light cube. I know the photo quality isn't the best...but you get the idea, right?
I love making Pearl Moon dolls. The detail is incredible, and the instructions impeccable. I wish she'd offer a few more online classes - or patterns.

Monday Photo - a Two-fer

This week's theme is "What's on Your Nightstand." As soon as Serena announced the theme, I went in and took a photo - I knew that if I didn't, I would be too tempted to edit it, and not tell the truth. So here it is - with only one book, one magazine, one bottle of water - and three bottles of my handmade lotion! One must have scent choices, you know.
Last week's theme was "Texture," but I never got my photo posted. I was too busy taking pictures of the rock garden! So here you have a lovely texture photo of a young robin's chest feathers. Aren't they amazingly detailed?

Before & After

Nothing illustrates better than photos, I guess. Technically, this is a "before" photo of the area that now has a rock garden. It was actually taken just as they were preparing to take down the pine, so it doesn't have the low-hanging branches here. It really caused a lot of trouble with clogging up the gutters with pine needles.
And here's the after. The brick path has been extended all the way to the edge, the bush against the house is a New Dawn rose, the tree is a pink flowering dogwood. Oh, and I think you can tell the difference between the old and new roof, too.
Gerry tells me that the next project is to clean up that area on the right side of the path. Part of it is ivy lawn, but a lot of it just has junk maples coming through the rocks.