I should have remained in bed.

I won't say the debates were a yawner, but I could have easily missed them and missed nothing.  Thank goodness for Stephanie Miller and the Mooks on Current TV.

Because it's late, I will post my star and be done.  Goodnight to all; remember to register and to vote!  People fought and died for that!  Respect their sacrifice and vote.

What?

Was I supposed to do something today?  Oh, yes; the blog.  There goes that bunny!

These stars were created from a Dover collection of Tadjik designs.  What would crafters do without Dover, I ask you?  All designs are from the same piece of clip art.

I'm sure my daughter-in-law could explain the mathematics of it all.

Some of the designs look like the patterns I have seen on fine, antique china. 

No matter.  They are a delight to the eye and to the soul. 

Stars of the built environment

The found or built world holds such beauty!  I am hardly the first or the millionth to realize this, but it is a continuing source of wonder and joy to me.  The great thing about this computer program is that I can take a found or built item and turn it into something new which I could not do on my own.  Yes, I am experienced enough in all types of craft work that I know how to do such things.  But at this time in my life, I do not have either the strength or physical ability to do such things. 

Take a look at the first star, created from a length of barbed wire and see what I mean.  Isn't that a wonderful thing?  And yet, if I were able to find a length of barbed wire (and if my tetanus shot were up to date), I am not sure I would have the hand strength to bend the barbed wire into the shape required.  Whatever the cause, I love this picture and am delighted to have been able to construct it. 

There are all sorts of stars in quilting and the following is one of them.  It is perhaps hundreds, maybe even thousands of years old as a motif.  In Scandinavian and Eastern European knitting and craft work, the eight-pointed star is ubiquitous, doubtless being an ancient sun sign.  When this star moved to the Americas, the Native tribes picked it up and used it as well.  In this way, it became everyone's star and a lovely thing it is, too.  I hope you will enjoy this version, taken from a festive photograph of celebration.

It's Morning ... sorta

As the header said, it's morning (or at least what passes for morning in my world) and I'm up and writing in the blog.  Part of the reason it's so late is that I had trouble tearing myself away from the Kaleidoscope Kreator program.  (C'mon, honey --- insert whiny voice here --- just one more try.  I'll come to bed really soon ... really ... just one more ...)

Anyway, I had a great deal of fun and cannot wait to show you some of my favorites. 

This first one is from a picture of a canal at night with one of its bridges lit.  The kaleidoscope wedge is appropriately called sun rays.

I call this one "Animal Horns" from the light blue horn shapes created from a part of a spiral.  This decoration is from the steppe peoples and is thousands of years old.  The photograph is from a Buddhist stupa decoration. 

I'm tempted to call this one "Devilled Egg Plate" for obvious reasons.  Well, obvious to me, that is.

This last one is taken from a painting made by an elephant.  There are elephant rescues in many parts of the world and the paintings are used to raise money for the rescue's work.

Sigh.

You've heard about black holes, have you not?  Well, I think mine is a rather garish plaid.

However ... exploring my (years) old Kleidoscope Kreations reminded me of the pleasure I had discovered in exploring pattern, color, and computer programs.  Since I couldn't find my old program which had gotten wiped out when I had to disconnect my C drive ... I got the new, improved, will work with any new computer and even my old one Kaleidoscope Kreator 3. (yes, this is a plug; no, I'm not getting any compensation.)

The Star-A-Day project has taught me that I do not give enough respect to my creative endeavours; but I do tend to write in my journal regularly, first thing in the morning.  Bearing all this in mind, I will begin my day with writing the Star-A-Day blog; then create a Kaleidoscope star and upload it to the blog; and finally, if I can, create another star for that day and upload that as well.

How embarrassing!

Yesterday passed and I did not even think to commit bloggery, much less to upload a picture.  I must have been more tired than I had thought and went to sleep immediately.  I am on a new pain medication and am trying to see if it is good for me.  What has really helped is the use of a wedge pillow for my legs.  I had seen a picture of one being used for lower leg relief, had one just like the pillow pictured, and decided to try it.  Wow!  What an improvement!  It lines up the legs and hip width and I wind up with no, or very little, pain.

It's really hard to be creative when you are hurting.  So I will upload a star and see if I can do something artistic tomorrow. 

This is from a photograph of a display of apricots.

And this is from a photograph of bubbles in water.  Some of the bubble creations are just beautiful --- like lace.

Worn down today.

I spent the day at the doctor's and I'm worn out.  If I get to make a star, today, I'll be surprised; so I'm uploading a kaleidoscopic star for your edification and amusement.

Apparently, I did have an opportunity to make a star, today.  It is constructed from the fish oil tablets one of my doctors thinks I should take to help my joints (and hence, the pain).  For some comparison for size, each pill is 1 and 1/8" long.  eek.

 

Five into Six

If you group five stars into a circle, you will make a star of stars and in the center you will have a pentagon.  I didn't have five stars, only three.  I had planned something else.  But when I placed the three stars together, I found the center made a six-sided figure, a hexagon.  When I fastened the stars in place, the hexagon shifted a bit and looks a bit wonky.  Drunken hexagon!

The embroidery techniques used today include: the back stitch (used to fasten the center and make the stars look a little [a very little] like a button); the french knot (zut alors!!) to fasten down each point of each star; and applique, the technique of fastening shapes to a background. 

First Embroidered Star!

It's hard to type through a cat.  But it's a handicap I have learned to live with and even, on occasion, to enjoy.  He's supervising.

This is the first embroidered entry using the laced running stitch.  It looks rippled and I thought it might be a "ghostly" image --- good for the Hallowe'en Season. 

AARGH!!! It happened. And yet, a star.

I should have known this was coming.  Despite all my preparations, meds taking, and so on,  I missed making my star today.  But never fear!  Kaliedoscope Kreator to the rescue!  And whenever this happens in the future, I shall post a photo-creation for your amusement, pleasure, and edification.

Altai Blue, from a photograph of the Altai Mountains near Mongolia.

Pin-Up Journal Entry

Remember my comment about the Celery Star and finding things on the spur of the moment?  I ate the tomatoes I was going to use to make today's star.  Instead, I have another spur of the moment entry.  And I ask myself if this is helping my creativity?  My artistic persuits?  I know that serendipity and play are an important part of the modern approach to creativity.  But is this what is meant?  Somehow, it doesn't seem as satisfying as I thought it would.

On the other hand, I mentioned the found objects as sources of daily entries.  And I realized that --- just perhaps --- my concept of "right" has been too rigid.  EW!  Shoot.  I hate it when I come face-to-face with myself and have a smudge on my nose.  Poop.  Pickle poop, even.

With that in mind, here is today's Twinkling Star:

Woot! Woot! Day Four!

I'm feeling a bit giddy, right now, but I don't care.  Truthfully, I didn't think I'd make it this far without a stumble.  And it may come.  I know it.  I spoke yesterday of the pain I encounter in my life.  There are other problems as well (in addition to that darned bunny!) 

But I've gotten more than achieving four days in a row of committment: I've tried something new, something I had wanted to do and had not been able to achieve.  I've used found objects in creating things for the first time. 

Normally, I plan out whatever I'm going to do and feel frustrated if I deviate from that plan.  Needlework takes a while to execute!  But making something every day, fitting it in with all the other things in my life, has forced me to grab at whatever is at hand.  Ergo: a signiture, buttons, celery, and now twigs --- all found things.  By now, it's changing from a panic response and is becoming something to look forward to with joy.  And pleasure, too. 

EEK!!  Growth!  I would not have expected that, even though it was (sorta) assumed.  

A Little Cheezy, But Still on Time!

Unbelievable!  I nearly forgot --- both accidentally and on purpose.  Yet here is today's star post. 

Personally, I'm amazed that I didn't make an excuse and then believe it.  Pain has become a big part of my life; and when I choose to complete a big task --- such as grocery shopping --- pain and fatigue loom very large in my life.  Basically, I complete my task and spend the day recovering and "zoning out."  A great many necessary tasks remain unfinished.  And so I would probably have forgotten about posting my Star-a-Day and made --- and accepted --- an excuse.  But I have helpers.  Remember that Inner Critic I mentioned?  She can also encourage me to "stiffen my spine" and "get it done."

When I made my shopping list, I decided to pick up a bunch of celery, the kind with leaves on the stalks.  There is chicken stock in my future; but before I commit chicken stock, I'm using the celery stalks to make today's star.

                                                            

Star-A-Day, day 2: Button Up! 

Egad!  Zounds!  Day Two!

O.K., O.K.  It's only day two.  Big deal.
But it IS a big deal.  Remember that bunny?  It's been hopping and bopping around, trying to distract me --- always easy to do. 
And then, there's my Inner Critic.  You know Who that is: the two-edged sword standing at the entrance to the space you'd like to occupy.  But you're not worthy.  Or you're not prepared enough.  Your web page isn't perfect.  YOU aren't perfect.  And when you become perfect, then and only then can you begin.

BuffaloChip!

Bask in the glory which is my Twinkling Star, Day Two!

This second Star looks more active, as if it were running.  Which do you prefer? 

The First Day for the Twinkling Star

About a year ago, I picked up Noah Scalin's 365: A Daily Creativity Journal.  It seemed like a good idea at the time: I was retired, I needed some focus, and making art every day seemed to provide direction and format.  But I kept putting it off and putting it off and putting it off.

BuffaloChip to that!

And I have this other little ...

                         Hey!  It's a bunny!  Look at that!  Ooh, what do I know about bunnies?
                         Can I draw a bunny?  Maybe I can write a paper about bunnies?    
                         Get another degree in bunny ...

               ... problem called ADD.  I'm nearly 70, have several degrees, wrote and published a book, held a responsible job for well over a decade ... what?  ME?  Easily distracted?  You betcha. 

So come along with me on this bizarre experiment.  You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wonder why in the heck you aren't flossing your teeth or emptying the lint from your dryer.  And if you have any words of encouragement to send along, go ahead!  I might even reply!  Such things do happen, even here.

Thanks for stopping by!  With luck, here's today's Twinkling Star-a-Day!