So what have I been doing, you ask – or maybe you don’t but hey, you don’t have to read this! I have begun a new project with a self-imposed spring deadline which has, of course, led directly to avoidance in the form of the sort of thing I would normally run from, screaming.
While looking for something else (and how do you ever find anything?), I came across a book I bought awhile back: 26 Lively Letters: Making an ABC Quiet Book by Barbara Williams and Carol Grundmann. I decided it would make a good Christmas present for my new grandson and I was off. Of course, I can’t ever do anything without tweaking it a little (or a lot) so here is my work in progress so far.
I didn’t like their choice for “X” (Xmas) so invented an “x-ray” page. The little panel lifts to reveal the boy’s shirted torso. Not very clever but the kid’ll be 5 1/2 months old at Christmas!
The crow’s wings lift to the sides, returning on elastic. The dinosaurs don’t do anything but they’e better than the dinosaur suggested in the book (I think).
Didn’t like their “E” (for the earring in a pirate’s ear; the kid’ll see earrings everywhere. Didn’t think it a useful connotation.) My “E” for “Evan”, my grandson’s name, has a mirror.
The “Valentine” can be unwoven and rewoven.
I really struggled with “ukulele” but how many exciting words start with “U”? (Please, don’t tell me now!) That one was a b***h to assemble but the strings can be plucked.
The flowers aren’t very sophisticated. I’m not much of a gardener at best but I can “grow” these:
Just can’t take good snapshots!
The odd order is due to the eventual assembly of the cloth book. So far so good. With any luck I won’t be teaching the kid the alphabet in the wrong order, warping him for life. I’ve done twelve pages at an average rate of two in an afternoon. (I quit after “ukulele” today. I have my limits.) Only fourteen to go! (Yipes!) I also have to treat all the coloured pencil work with fabric medium which my daughter assures me will render it washable.
I have to take some time out now and get ready for the semi-annual trek to the automotive swap meet at Barrie. We leave Wednesday morning and I should probably pack clothes and food at least. I have some knitting to take but I don’t think the book is my kind of “portable”. I may also take some quilt blocks I’ve been embroidering for a long term project . . . or I may not.
The Ed hit a yard sale this afternoon on the way back from an errand and brought home three boxes of sewing patterns. Didn’t have the heart to tell him I’d gotten rid of most of my “just in case” collection, throwing out bags after my daughter got first pick. Wonder if her cabinet’s bursting yet? She’ll never be able to resist a peek. There might be something wonderful. I have to go have a browse through them myself now.
