from camp

Life have been disorganized here on the mountain. We seem to have a group of six bears that have come to favor our kitchen leavings. I caught a picture of one of the younger ones. The big one that we see every night is fearless. Sits down in the middle of camp and makes himself right at home! The other night one of the men got a shotgun and shot them (rubber) to try and chase them off. Straight up a tree! Then I was walking past the kitchen and saw 2 more. We have some guys from the forestry department who have tried to keep the bears out of the area. Two traps were set…one bear caught and relocated. The other bears came and looked at the traps and were clearly not interested.
Meanwhile every time there is a bear in camp, panic…sheesh. I was asked what I would do if I came out and saw a bear…I answered “take a picture” then “invite him to tea”.

For those who are interested…This is a teen boys camp with several families on grounds. I am the medical provider. My son does the construction and maintenance. Keeps us off the streets in the summer!

That’s the extent of our excitement this summer. I am currently researching knitted lace. I am not a knitter. I plan on learning!

Valerie

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Earrings

Earrings are funny things. My mother did not have pierced ears, yet did not feel ‘dressed’ without a pair of earrings. I can imagine the discomfort for the sake of fashion!
I wanted my ears pierced forever…when I was in my late teens a physician friend of my uncle did the deed with a needle. I was the proud recipient of approved self-mutilation. Never had a problem. For many years I wore fabulous earrings, long ones, short ones, fat ones, etc. Now I have a tiny pair of gold and diamond continuous loops. Barely visible. Only take them out for MRI’s and surgery! I’ve worn them for 20+ years.
Why put this babble on my blog you ask.
Denise Peck, the editor of Step by Step Wire Jewelry has authored a new release on just earrings. I am amazed at the ingenuity of the connections and findings. While I may not make a single pair of earrings, the design possibilities presented are fine fodder!!
Take a look at ‘Pearl Nests’ on page 119, perfection! (yes, I read my books and magazines back to front) ‘Silver Wheels’ p48, so simple, yet a design element that would translate well to other pieces.
The opening chapters provide wonderful information. This is not a book that intimidates. The descriptions of tools and supplies is as ‘user friendly’ as I have seen. (For some reason I always forget the Sharpie…read the book!)

When I get back to my studio I may have to play with earrings. After all, when a project is finished I have all those orphan bits and pieces earrings would naturally result.

Valerie

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Polymer Fix

  No, I haven’t my studio with me, nor a square of clay in sight. I do have plenty of orders strewn about the internet awaiting fulfillment. Imagine my joy when seeing an Amazon box recently. (Yes, mail does come up our mountain a couple of times a week.)

Angie Scarr of miniature fame has a new tome out Miniature Food Masterclass, Instructions for her bananas, leeks, cakes, veggies, fruits, tarts, berries…and so much more are clearly explained here.

  
I am not a miniaturist. I do see possibilities. Imagine one of my hollow lentils with a tableau of food. Or a scarf pin with a veggie theme. What about seed bead and cookies/tarts in a lush bracelet?

Oh the possibilities.
btw, do visit Angie’s site…she has generously posted some tutorials.
Valerie

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Kvelling

That’s my youngest hard at work. He is the one left most in the picture. Notice the intense concentration as he prepares for …

The man on the left (Yves) is in charge of the maintenance in camp. The gentleman in the center (Ron) is a darling man from the community who does general work around camp. My son is working maintenance this summer. I caught the guys during a break in the ‘barn’. The shed is an old converted barn and Yves has the dubious luxury of living quarters on top.

I caught 3 mice in my one room cabin last night. And the bear dragged trash alongside my dwelling last night. Busy night.

Think the cold will keep them quiet tonight?

Valerie, inside with the space heater on (I’m too old for this.)

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Yarn Remnants

This top is from the yarn I had remaining after finishing the jacket in a previous posting.
The pattern, Cat’s Cradle Lace Topper, can be found in the January 2007 issue of Crochet! It was a bit confusing. The hook sizes were inconsistent in the instructions. I never could get the correct gauge. And the pattern missed a chain rep in an early round. After a couple of false starts, this is my result on a hanger.

The broomstick lace I’m currently working on is stunning. I am using a sock weight 4-ply yarn I ordered from Smiley’s. If you work with yarns and have not visited Smiley’s…oh my. Lowest prices around. Just use the link and go to their ‘internet yarn sale’, and listen to me in the background saying ‘told you so’.
While I am sharing fiber source secrets, another recent find is ColourMart. ColourMart sells fine yarns from European sources. This quote from their website states it best “the top online supplier of remainder luxury yarns, particularly cashmere and silk.... we source our yarns from the best Scottish and Italian mills”. And. again, the prices are unbelievable. I just ordered a lace weight mohair. Less than $20(total) for  a cone ~3600yds. Can you imagine what I would have paid retail for the same amount in skeins, and add to that tax and postage!
I have my bank account primed for some silks….

Valerie (from the Catskills where it is 46 degrees Fahrenheit and the date is July 12th…sheesh!)

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This ‘n That

We’ve been at camp for the last two weeks. Upstate NY calls the buildings ‘bungalows’. Mine is more of a shack. Over the winter my one room cabin was raised about a foot. Last summer we had drainage problems (sewer pipes were higher than the building…!) With raising the building the steps to the entrance remained where they were, as did the pipe under the sink…both too short. Had to find stones to place at the doorway to get in. And put a bucket under the sink…ah forget that. Just use the bathtub for everything.

I have one 10’ square room to call my own for two months every year. We have the Catskill’s all around. Fresh air and, so far, plenty of rain. Freakish weather…hail storms, a two inch ice storm on Friday had me sitting on the side of the road!

This beautiful moth (I believe it is a wild silk moth) was sitting on the stairs to the dining room, 5” across. Pic taken with my cell phone.

I finished another crocheted item today. And started on a broomstick lace project. Something new for me. And quite confusing. Think I figured the stitch mechanics after pulling it out several times.
I entered Interweave’s Beadwork Pattern Play Challenge tonight. Have to admire Interweave, the challenges are fun, and simple to enter. Anyone else entering?

A bit of housekeeping…for those of you subscribing to email updates, I’ve changed the process a bit. To ease the transition I’ve entered your name only if you had already subscribed. You will now see updates by way of Google Groups emails.

Valerie from the Catskill National Preserve

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