Cheryl has been feeling better lately, and as a result... we have been increasing the mileage. Today we ran 6 miles. The Des Moines Marathon was yesterday, and someone we know was supposed to run it. If we got her name right, she must have had a pretty good day. We can't wait to see her when she returns to HyVee to ask her about it.
Time to stretch...
And show off those legs.
In the mean time, Cheryl has her mind set on next years races and is training accordingly. The weather has been nice...for running. Cold mornings and cool days. I hear that the temps are going to rise a bit later this week.
Cold enough for long sleeves.
And gloves!
Other than that, Stockings have been picking up. Yesterday we sewed up thirteen. And have a couple more on the docket for tomorrow. The stockings took slightly longer to sew up than we had anticipated.
Stockings!
Drives Cheryl crazy.
I guess it has been a while since we did that many stockings at one time. Even Cheryl got a little "giddy" after we had finished. This is a moment I wanted to mention: I believe they build sewing machines to discriminate against men! Oh sure, we can fix them. But using them is challenging with meaty paws.
Made by men FOR men....
Luckily, someone invented a means to get that thread through the needle using a small gizmo. It helps me quite a bit because one: I can't see the tiny needle hole. And two: Even if I could see it, I have to contort my hand in such a way to push the thread through. My wrists ache if I have to do that three times in a row.
It's a Machine! Hooray!
Still, I like sewing on the buttons... And using the Embroidery Machine. I guess the mechanical gene still drives us somehow.
Pelican
Luna Moths.
And then there is the Origami. I fill in the time that Cheryl spends answering questions, scoring papers, ordering materials, and creating stockings... with making and folding paper. The challenge is finding things to fold that interest me. Sometimes the complexity does not matter.
My tomato Experiment.
And lastly, with all this rain I have been harvesting the seeds off of the creeping Cardinal vine. And I have been excited to see the tomato seeds sprout in my experimental nursery. ( The rain destroyed my little greenhouse, but I did manage to get some sprouts to grow before then.)
Our Tomato color palette for next year.
I can hardly wait for next years planting. (I say that....Now. I'm sure things will change later.) My goal is to get the heirloom tomatoes to grow in the various flavors and colors. I'm not sure if I will bring any to the farmers market, but we shall see how many I can actually get to grow. I'm not really known for my green thumb. Still, It will be a fun process.
The last couple of days have been rather dreary. Rain and clouds darken the skies and the cold temps of fall have finally arrived. Undaunted, Cheryl continues to insist that we run. Even in the rain!
No biggy for her, but I have to dress up for the occasion. Riding a bike does not generate the same amount of heat as running.
Cheryl the Conquerer! (Or Terrible...)
And with the cold, slow pace, and lack of pain pushing her; She plans to make up for it all by running longer. Today she increased the millage to 4 miles. She probably plans on getting up to 7 miles by the end of the week. We shall see.
Cheryl sewing up the custom orders
In the mean time, Stockings are slowly trickling in. Last year, apparently, I did not blog about the steady stream of 3-4 stockings at this time. So this year, I want to make a bit more of an effort to catalog things.
The Motley Crew of Fur-bearers.
The Finished Stocking representations.
We started the day with "no sales" but that quickly changed by mid afternoon. During this time of year, that is how it is. Start off thinking you have an easy day and BOOM! 5 sales with three on the back burner for tomorrow. Cheryl had an especially fun time making the cats.
Armadillo.
Bulldog
Standing Crane. First time go!
Bulldog reads the blog.
As for me, now and then I get called in for my button sewing skills. Otherwise I keep my self occupied by playing with the cat, digging in the mud, and folding origami with my latest paper creations
Korean Paper. Similar to cloth.
I finally figured out how to make that Korean paper (Hanji) work. ( Hint: LOTS of methyl cellulose. Without it, it folds like a fragile cloth.) The stuff I'm currently using we purchased from Amazon. Apparently, it is the "industrial strength" kind. I'm still trying to figure out how to portion it up so it does not solidify in my container.
Sounds dangerous. But not really.
There are so many uses for this stuff. Mostly for Slime, blood, and other gooey special effects for movies and Halloween . Also it can be used as wallpaper paste, paper binder, book glue, and food emulsifier. (Makes gravy thicker) I doubt it will ever explode... about as flammable as flour and an open flame. It took me a while to figure that out, because each producer markets it as ONE of the intended purposes. Causing much confusion. In the end, it is all the same stuff... as long as you don't eat the "non-food quality" stuff. ( not that I would want to anyway.)
Hope everyone else is staying dry and warm on this chilly October day. In the mean time, Enjoy some Rod Stewart. (Small note: Remember when Rod Stewart was "too sexy and raw for the youth of America? Funny how time mellows us all.) Thanks for stopping in and enjoy.
The last few days have been cloudy with rain. Some thunder and lightning... Mostly just gloomy skies with a drizzle now and then. All great times to be inside and enjoying some of Autumn's pleasures.
Since Cheryl STILL can't run, we have been taking walks ( when the rain allows) andenjoying the pleasant air. The temps are still warm enough to get you hot after three miles.... But at least you don't feel like you are melting under the Bright Iowa Sun. Cheryl is eager to get back on the saddle...or on the track (No horse involved), So she stretches and exercises when she can.
As for me, I have been continuing my focus on the totally useless skill of Origami. I wanted to at least take a picture of the dragons before I end up throwing them away or leaving them as a tip at some restaurant. Both dragons are from Satoshi Kamiya's World of Super-Complex Origami . I usually take "liberties" with the design after I achieve all of the flaps required.
And then there is the "Simple Stuff" No pattern. Just me playing around with a bird base. I really like the pelican. I still want to play around with the Flamingo. Probably work on the shaping a bit.
So that is all for now. Tomorrow we will play around in Iowa City again and maybe work on the Stockings some more.
Cheryl says she is done with the dogs for now. Maybe as requests come in she will work on them some more. We have been making about three a day for the last two weeks. With a little luck, we will have a "good year" this year. Fingers crossed.... Thanks for stopping in.
Who wakes up one day and thinks they want to do Origami? (Other than Robert Lang...) It is a thankless and tedious task where you give and give and give and never get anything back... ( unless you are Robert Lang)
Robert Lang, A origami god!
Oh the hours! Wasted? Maybe. Does everything have to be measured in a dollar amount? Sometimes. If that is the case, then I waste a lot of time on Origami.
Case in point. I wanted to show the progression of one small fish. Simple! Right? So without me blathering along... I'll let the pictures do most of the talking...
Methylcellulose. Wallpaper glue mixed with jello gelatin. Make it thick!
Rolling out tissue paper. (2-3 layers thick) Let dry.
24 hours later. Start folding the paper.
Fold 10x10 grid in middle.
Double that!
This will be the top. Start from the head and work towards the tail.
Layer the paper, dividing each square in half.
Continue this for the next two hours.
Done! With that part at least....Now the fun part!
On the underside. Start from the tail this time. Lock each scale into place.
Like this.
Do this 421 more times!
This is the top side. Scales are locked in.
Sit back and watch your life drain away....
3 hours later.... Almost done.
Top side: Checking in each scale to make sure they are set.
Want to add some color? Do this as you make the paper. Before folding.
Rinse and repeat!
Tada! Wasn't that easy? 2 days per fish.
And if you mess up anywhere along the way... say goodbye to your effort.
Certainly easier than folding one.
Now wasn't that fun? I could stick with the "easy" stuff... But then I would not have anything to gripe about. ( Or blog) I still want to make an Asagi koi. The blue paper was supposed to be that; but stuff happens. Mistakes were made, usually upon various comets and asteroids. And when that happens, the paper never makes it to the blog.
So before considering origami as a therapy, consider fishing instead. At least you get to eat your catch at the end of the day. And it gets you out on the lake in the great outdoors! Origami... not so much.
The last couple of days have been rather dreary. Rain and clouds darken the skies and the cold temps of fall have finally arrived. Undaunted, Cheryl continues to insist that we run. Even in the rain!
I finally figured out how to make that Korean paper (Hanji) work. ( Hint: LOTS of methyl cellulose. Without it, it folds like a fragile cloth.) The stuff I'm currently using we purchased from Amazon. Apparently, it is the "industrial strength" kind. I'm still trying to figure out how to portion it up so it does not solidify in my container.
The last few days have been cloudy with rain. Some thunder and lightning... Mostly just gloomy skies with a drizzle now and then. All great times to be inside and enjoying some of Autumn's pleasures.
Since Cheryl STILL can't run, we have been taking walks ( when the rain allows) andenjoying the pleasant air. The temps are still warm enough to get you hot after three miles.... But at least you don't feel like you are melting under the Bright Iowa Sun. Cheryl is eager to get back on the saddle...or on the track (No horse involved), So she stretches and exercises when she can.
As for me, I have been continuing my focus on the totally useless skill of Origami. I wanted to at least take a picture of the dragons before I end up throwing them away or leaving them as a tip at some restaurant. Both dragons are from Satoshi Kamiya's World of Super-Complex Origami . I usually take "liberties" with the design after I achieve all of the flaps required.
And then there is the "Simple Stuff" No pattern. Just me playing around with a bird base. I really like the pelican. I still want to play around with the Flamingo. Probably work on the shaping a bit.
