Walking Stick

I got up early to work on my walking staff.  Not quite early enough though because it was already hot out. I used a bigger draw knife this time and got some of the branch nodes smoothed down.  I think it's time to switch to a scraper so I don't take off too much wood.
Then I came in and spent an hour sorting out knitting projects.  I put them all in a big cubical box to get them out from under my feet.  I hope it doesn't become out of sight out of mind though.  I was sick the last two days so I don't want to overdo it today. I thought I'd rest a little and work on blogging before you guys all forget who I am.

Panda

I have pandas on my mind right now.  First I was playing Second Life and talking to my friend when a giant panda walked up behind him. It was twice as tall as he was.  I said, "Don't look now but there is a panda behind you." I wish I'd thought to take a photo.

Then tonight, my boyfriend surprised me by stopping at Panda Express. And I was admiring their panda paintings and thinking I should make a panda painting for my house.  When I got home I realized the whole evening had a panda theme.  I am amused.

Change It Up

I went to a new Korean market today in Buena Park, CA.  I find them very inspiring because it helps me see things in a new way. They had teeny tiny potatoes.  When I picked up a handful I felt like Gulliver. They are about the size of small radishes.

One way to change up your art is to do it in a size that you don't normally work in.  If you normally do tiny paintings, do big ones.  If you usually sew adult clothing, try sewing something for babies or dolls.  You get the idea.  Shake up the way you are used to seeing things and step out of your comfort zone.

I'm thinking of starting a flower scarf with crochet to celebrate spring. If it comes out I'll make a tutorial. Usually when I start something like that I get burned out halfway through. So I'm crossing my fingers.  Try, try again.

I just started knitting my yearly bunny too. This one is out of Woolease dark purple yarn. I've already made the head too big.  He's going to be the fat headed bunny.  I work without patterns because I want each one to be one of a kind. I'd like to start making 2 per year because I have two grandsons now but I'm not sure I started early enough.

Photos from the SCA Collegium

Thrown weapons class

Middle Eastern Drumming Class

Rapier Appreciation Class

Chisel Sharpening Jig from the Tool Sharpening Class

I like to document the classes I take if the teacher doesn't mind and the students aren't camera shy. I took 4 classes on Sat. and 3 on Sunday, though the last one was the archery round table which was more of a discussion than a class. We discussed crossbows and atlatls and awards for archers in each division.  Many archers never win anything so we hope to add some awards for the best archer in each division, not just for the one archer that has the highest score at the end of the day. This year's collegium was held in Torrance CA in perfect spring weather.

My favorite two classes were bardic classes by the Bard of Caid, True Thomas. 

That is him in dark clothing holding the drum in the photo above.

SCA Collegium 2011 Recap

I had many fantastic teachers at the SCA collegium in Fullerton this weekend. I went to the following classes:
Thrown weapons, Bardic Arts, Rapier Appreciation, Archery Round Table, Middle Eastern Drumming, and Tool Sharpening. I'm on mental overload right now. Thanks to all the teachers that donate their time and often pay for their own materials so the rest of us can learn something new.  And where else can you get a hot dog for lunch grilled by a man in armor?

To Robert: Thanks for getting me off top dead center with performing. Thanks for the inspiration.
To the fencers: Thanks for answering my endless questions about swords and personas and fencing styles. And for the idea about making favors to give to fencers for a job well done at the tournaments. I'll get right on that.
To the drumming teachers: Thanks for the refresher course. Now if only I could remember those rhythms when I need them.
To Roy: Thanks for coming all the way from Neveda to play with us.
To Paganus and his lady: Always a delight to see you. Let's get those atlatls made.
To Paige and Mike: Thanks for the handmade cheddar cheese.
To Rino and Nico: Thanks for the laughs.
And to Joshua: Thanks for the hugs. Sorry we didn't get a chance to visit more.

And if I forgot anyone, my apologies. I have no room in my brain for logical thoughts just now. Photos soon to follow.

Night Spinners

Last night I went to a spinners group called the Night Spinners. I worked on my knitting, and about half the ladies worked on their spinning wheels.  Calvin worked on plying some yarns on a drop spindle. The hostess shared chocolate covered strawberries and hummus and chips and chocolate chip cookies.  They were all so generous. I came home with some cotton fiber, some cotton seeds for growing my own, some canning jars, some knitting magazines, a pair of foldable scissors and lots of useful information. Best 3 hours I've spent in a long time.