Sometimes it takes awhile to get things done

 I work in a research library where there are hundreds and hundreds of books. Not only are there books on shelves, but there are books at the desks of library staff, who are doing something to that book. Ordering, receiving, cataloging, marking, conserving and many other things. This volume was going to the commercial binder to be bound in that thick buckram that library books are always bound in.

 

However, at times things just don't get done; no matter how hard or how long it takes. Note the date; Fegbruary, 1947. So, for 62 years this book has been floating around the Government Information Department, where I work, and trynig it's hardest to be noticed and get bound! Now, having worked in the library as the one person who sent books to be bound, this brings a smile to my face. My job is different now, but by God I know I can get this book bound!

New cross stitch patterns

Two Girls

Winter Flowers

Red and Blue Houses

Here is a group of cross stitch pillows I've been working on for the last few weeks. They are my own patterns and it has been a lot of fun to design them and then to know, as they are being sewn, that this is the first time anyone has ever used the pattern! Well, I guess little things make me happy.

We have one of those...

A face like the one you see on that American Express commercial.

Happy Birthday!!

Red Books on a Red Book Truck

This sort of thing happens at the library.

Happy Birthday!!

A couple of drawings from an old sketchbook...

Happy Birthday!!

Hiding from the LIght

To be a Goop...or not?

The Goops they lick their fingers,
And the Goops they lick their knives;
They spill their broth on the table-cloth-
Oh, the lead disgusting lives!
The Goops they talk while eating,
And loud and fast they chew;
And that is why I'm glad that I
Am not a Goop - are you?

All of a sudden the Goops are back and on-line at that! I grew up as a Goop...no, I mean with the Goops...no! I mean learning how not to be a Goop! This is a great book on manners and virtues and has been reprinted here at Goops Unlimited. They've done a wonderful job and service to young ones every where in helping them to be, or not to be Goops!

Spring!!!

The last two days or so it has really begun to look like Spring. There are flowers blooming and the leaves on the trees are starting to come out and everything is turning green.

Bog giveaway!

This beautiful pendant is being offered in a giveaway by Lora of Lora Hart Jewels. She crafts silver, bronze and gold jewelry out of Precious Metal Clay and offers classes as well. (I wish I could take one, but I'm a bit too far away!) Stop by her blog to sign up and visit her Etsy shop as well.

Serenity Trilogy

This is a series of postcards that I did a few years ago on the long version of the Serenity Prayer.

At that time in my life I had pared my prayers down to simply saying one word at a time. This was especially nice walking to work, since it was simple and I could pace the word with my steps. I would take action words from prayers that I said often and say these words as my prayer.

Now, I love drawing birds and thought I might illustrate this prayer, or the primary words that I would pray, and find a bird to represent each word. Since I live in Illinois I used birds that are native to my home state. Then I wanted to find birds that would show humility and strength; not the birds that one would usually think of, like and eagle for courage. The first card, representing Serenity, is a Tufted Titmouse; small with muted colors I thought it looked very humble and at the same time has a strong presence. The second bird, Courage, is a Red Tailed Hawk; not as impressive as other raptures and very common, like all of us. The third, Wisdom, is a Barn Owl; again, very unassuming and delicate.

Each print was first made from a block print that was then scanned into a digital format and colorized on Photoshop. On the back of each card is a part of the Serenity Prayer, so they make a trilogy.

You can find them in my little Etsy shop.

Dragon Flare

A fiery, smoking dragon, who lives up on top of my desk. Made of rope by fishermen in Thialand, he is really very nice and friendly!

Mr. Potato Head comes for a visit

Mr. Potato Head stopped by the other day for a little visit. Although he looked somewhat surprised, I could detect that whimsical smile of his; faint, but still there. We had a cup of tea, and then he said he thought he might go to the barber's, for a trim, feeling that his hair was getting out of control. (He can be a little vain, always so concerned about his appearance.) So, we said our good byes and he said he would stop by again somtime.

My favorite tea cup

This is the bottom of my favorite tea cup; Spode Blue Italian, to be exact. I love Spode china. The singularly fine dark line is a crack that took place one winter morning when I poured hot water into the cup, to make my tea. I hadn't realized that the cup was cold from sitting next to the window and it cracked. It's like lightening striking, but from underneath.

Foggy evening on the way home...

I really like the ethereal and abstract quality of the dark tree trunks and the gray fog.

Sweeper

My little Sweeper passed away last Friday morning.
She was a true friend, as most pets are and I miss her dearly.

At the Post Office...

I was at the Post Office yesterday afternoon to mail a package. The building is one of those old 30s office buildings with two large wall statues mounted against the marble walls. This is one of them. I remember when I was a kid how huge they looked and the how very small I would feel looking up at them. There were always wanted posters up and my best friend and I would stop and look them over. Those are gone now and the mailmen, although large, are not as imposing as they once were.

Ave Hair...

Walking home...

I moved about a year ago and now it is about a 20 block walk to and from work, instead of the old 8. So, I can't do it both ways everyday, but usually in the evening I'll make the trek home; for the exercise and to see what's going on around town.

Evening sun on the way home...

I like the way the sun glows off of the buildings and the snow covered stairway that is now abandoned. There are older photographs and paintings of Evanston that show El tracks and stairs as they were; when they were still being used. Time passes.

Squid Bird announces the winner!!

Squid Bird could hardly sleep last night, knowing that the winner would be announced today! Now the time has come and the happy winner is Franny. Congratulations Franny, I will be in touch with you and I hope you enjoy the little felted bag!

This has been a wonderful event and I have seen so many great blogs, full of amazing art work and friendly women from all over the world. Thank you to everyone who entered my drawing and took a little time to visit my blog. Your comments have been a great joy!

Squid Bird says...

Entry for the OWOH drawing will close at midnight, February 11th. The winner will be announced tomorrow. Good luck!

One World One Heart give away

One World One Heart is a yearly blogging event that I recently learned about. Bloggers from all over the world post a give away and also have the chance to see and meet other bloggers and enter their drawings. For more information click on the globe below.

I will be giving away one of my crocheted and felted purses.

This is a small purse, measuring about 8 x 7 inches. It is embellished with a felt flower design and a shell button.

The inside is lined with cotton fabric.

Entry for the drawing is from

Monday January 19th - February 12th

To enter simply leave a comment to this post only. Make sure that you include contact information so that I can get in touch with you if you win. The winner will be picked, on February 12th using a random number generator. This drawing is open to everyone!

Please check out the other blogs on the One World One Heart site to see what other people all over the world are doing for their give aways.

Thanks!

Introducing...Squid Bird

Looks like a squid, but is really a bird!

A few winter mornings...

I used some overlays from the Digital Scrapbook Place to enhance the photos. In away it is sort of funny because it is very popular to take, or "enhance" photos to look old or even better, to look like badly taken pictures. Oh, all those years of trying to help people take better snapshots!
Anyway, it's a lot of fun.