It’s been varying degrees of overcast for the past few days, which is typical for November in this area. At 7:30pm, it’s 63F. That is not so typical. It’s supposed to cool off, though, and maybe even snow.
Category: Photography
Duck
Duck is swimming in a drift of fallen leaves
Tacket Binding
I did my first tacket binding today. I was inspired to give it a try by Dennis at Cai Lun. He gives a simple, straightforward explanation of how to do the basic stitch and cord packing. It was more time consuming than the Coptic binding I usually do, because I couldn’t just slap together bare board covers. The cord packing takes more time than a simple chain stitch, too, but it’s not at all difficult.
This is a super sturdy binding. It’s stiffer than a Coptic bound book, because there is almost no wiggle room. It opens flat, though, which is an absolute must for me. I really like the end product.
Since this was my first go at this type of binding, I made a few mistakes. Next time, I’ll mark the stitch lines on the outside of the spine with masking tape, to keep them even. I marked the inside, and tried my best to keep the stitches straight, but they’re a little ragged. I’ll also start further in from the cover. My outer two signatures are sewn too close to the edge, so the book wants to fan open. That will change, I think, as it settles and the denim spine relaxes a bit.
I think it would also be best sewn with thread, not twine. Hemp is super strong, and I love it, but I think the unevenness of it makes it a poor choice for packed cords.
Denim Book
tacket bound with hemp cords, denim cover, and star map end papers
8 x 5 3/4 inches
7 signatures of two sheets (28 pages) of 140lb Cartiera Magnani hot press watercolor paper
Lasers Charged!
Pandora, Queen of High Perches
I used to store stacks of ephemera and assorted collage junk on top of those drawers, until Pandora decided that she wanted that spot for herself. She kept knocking everything off until I gave up and let her have her way. Not that I had any choice in the matter.
Coppermine Errors
Something has gone horribly wonky with my Coppermine database. God only knows what, but I have a feeling that it’s beyond my ability to fix. As far as I can tell, my web host is not experiencing any known issues, so whether it’s something on their end, that will miraculously heal itself, or something I’m going to have to fix (ha!), I don’t know.
I am not amused.
The only bright point is that it looks like images are showing up fine within my blog, but if you try to click on anything to view it larger, you won’t be able to. I think pretty much everything is hosted over at Flickr, though, so if you really want to look at a full-size image, that’s the place to go.
Did I mention that I’m not amused?
However, as promised, here’s the sink from our conference room. Charming, isn’t it? It sort of suits my incredibly cranky mood!
Dried Pear Slices
The first batch of pears are all dried. They’re like candy. The recipe I found for oven drying them called for sugar, and for the life of me, I cannot imagine why anyone would perpetrate such a crime on dried pears, because they are more than sweet enough on their own. These were just sliced, dipped in diluted lime juice, and stuck in the food dehydrator. Easy and damnfinetasty.
Harriet thinks they are just about the best treat in the whole, wide world.
Lazy Saturday
Northern Sky Before Sunset
It feels like I’ve done a whole lot of nothing today, but I cleaned the house, did laundry, and sliced nine food dryer trays of pears. Then I laid on the couch for awhile and flipped back and forth between Dinosaur and Silence of the Lambs. I couldn’t make up my mind between Disney and serial killers, so I watched both. Until I fell asleep, that is. If it weren’t for my neighbor’s shrieking Chihuahua, I’d probably still be happily napping.
Oh well.
I still have to run to the grocery store, for a new batch of pears, eggs, rice, and something I can’t remember. I’m cat sitting again this weekend, so I’m going to wait until I do the evening feeding, so I can combine trips.
It’s starting to get dark, actually, so I think it might be time to think about heading out.
Bosc Pear
Bosc Pear (detail)
I started this one by covering the whole page with acrylic matte medium. Then I used brown and yellow ochre watersoluble crayons, blending them with a wet paper towel, then blotting with a piece of dry paper towel..
The photo is the back from a Polaroid I’d separated, then covered with the plastic half from another Polaroid that I’d wiped clean of everything but the brownish border. I like the way the ghostly pears peak out through the still slightly cloudy plastic.
Sinks! In! Bags!: The Musical!
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the ever popular Sinks! In! Bags!: The Musical! has been remade as a one-sink play. Alas, today is the one day I did not bring my camera, so pictures will have to wait until Monday (assuming the play in question does not close on opening night).
In the meantime, please join me in welcoming the ensemble cast of the original Sinks! In! Bags!: The Musical!
Northern Sky at Sunset
red paper boat 