Happy Halloween!!!

I just love Sesame Street. I remember when the Electric Company, Zoom and Sesame Street started on PBS. I was in college studying to be a teacher, an Art teacher. I thought these shows were incredibly creative and progressive teaching tools. PBS reached millions of people, young and old, and entertained while teaching. Along with whatever lesson came the concepts 1) learning is fun, 2) you can do it (creative problem solving), and 3) you can think for yourself (critical thinking). Sprinkled throughout was the seasoning of wild creativity. I still giggle when I hear today's show brought to you by the number 6 and the letter G.


I picked up a little digital camera tonight and should have some pics to post tomorrow.

The Graveyard Shift

I work nights, the graveyard shift, and I like it. My days are free, except for the pesky sleeping part, and I have lots of time for crafting. The plant where I work is quieter at night and I am far more productive than I was working first shift. I run several large format printers. I also organize paper work and schedule my printing, etc., but mostly I watch the printers, make sure the color stays true and the media runs smoothly. It's pretty conducive to reflection - I spend a lot of time planning projects, writing knit patterns and solving the world's problems. Sometimes I can knit. How great is that!

Yes, we Painted Barbie

Check out these works of art! The kids did an outstanding job. We had a wonderful time and even the youngest artist (5 years) did well.


His is the free spirit in the middle back.

I think everyone understood the method of layering paint, taking time to dry each layer and building their design. I love the wealth of color and texture on the "What's her Face doll.She actually has purple hair to compliment the purple and red "socks" her mama artist gave her. Tammy - the doll on the right, has a lovely flower detail along her leg.



I'll have more pictures later, we had some not really technical problems earlier (our battery died :-). We used acrylic craft paints and a semi-gloss, water-based varnish. I'd like to add decopage to the mix next time, and possibly some simple fabric embellishments. I still want to make some sugar plum fairies and the skeleton girl. The painted black barbie actually ended up being "Constellation Girl," with silver and gold dots drifting along her left shoulder and leg.

Just a note: Even though the dolls are sealed with 2 coats of varnish they are easily scratched so they are more to display than to play with if you want them to stay in pristine condition. I have found that the kids really like to paint and play. The scratches don't matter so much to them.

Here is the new and improved version of my card. I'm pretty happy with it. People are always asking for one when I go to the market, so I finally got it done.

Tonight my little kiddos are coming to dinner and a craft. We're going to paint Barbies. I have about 50 naked dolls just waiting to be created on! Shiny yarn and a few ideas for Sugar Plum Fairies are dancing in my head so that's what I'm going to make. One of the dolls has already been painted black. I think the little dude and I will have to paint a skeleton on her - for Halloween. This will be fun!

Currently OTN I have an apple hat for our family's newest baby. She's going to look so very cute! I may have to make up a little cardi in the leaf green with apple pockets to go with it. Have a great weekend!

This evening I'm experimenting a little more with the whole blog thing. Tomorrow my friend Melanie has volunteered to take pics of my work in progress and help me post them. I have several things on the needles currently - some have been lingering longer than others LOL! I started two projects out of the Double Trouble book from Twisted Sisters. I love their patterns and the way they manipulate stitches to form the pieces. Sadly, both these sweaters are on hold while I prepare for Christmas knitting.

I am setting up a store on etsy.com called Zen Knitting. With Melanie's help I will have some pics posted there by the end of the week. Right now I have nearly all my finished projects in the back of the van as I had 3 craft shows and a couple of market days through September. I really enjoyed the Garwood Orchard Craft Festival which was September 16 and 17 in LaPorte, Indiana. Phyllis Garwood, the "orchardess" is a wonderful character full of laughter and good cheer. The orchard itself is very pretty and the Ginger Gold apples are my favorite. There were several talented crafters at the Festival including Sid and Renee of Gourdatious Gourds. Their gourds are just beautiful. I'll have to get a few pics from Renee and post them here, you just won't believe your eyes!

I am "in process". Soon I will be blogging with the best of 'em but tonight I am struggling to learn how to navigate these directions! I have added a photo (yeah) and almost figured out how to change my template. Once I get these challenges mastered I can actually post some knitting stuff. How cool is all of this!?