Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Prep Day

This is a scheduled post.  I am gone for a few days, and I will not have access to the internet, which means I also won't be able to return your visit until I return home.  So I will leave you with a few things I prepped before I left.

I removed nearly half the pages in a hard bound book that was definitely stitched.  I make sure because I never want a book to fall apart from carelessness on my part of not checking for stitching.

Next, I headed into the very cold craft room, where I grabbed my 91% Isopropyl alcohol and my StazOn reinkers.  I had planned to dye this little bit of cheesecloth,

but added too much alcohol to the container,

so I ended up dyeing cheesecloth, fabric, and lace before I used all the alcohol/reinker mix.  I love doing this, though, because I get such a nice mottled look to the fabric.   And I love mottled.

While the fabric was drying in the craft room, I headed to the basement studio and grabbed my Sculpey tools I won when I created a tutorial a couple of years ago using their products.  I didn't want to get out my pasta machine because I have a new technique I want to try.  I spent about five hours cleaning it recently so I could try this new art technique that didn't involve polymer clay, but needed clean rollers.

So I grabbed two paint stirrers and laid them out the width of my index cards.  After taking the photo, I put on gloves and kneaded the polymer clay in my hands for a few minutes.

I flattened it slightly

then ran the roller over the clay 

pressing it into the thickness of the two paint stirrer sticks.  Believe it or not, I got three hearts, a bead and mixed it with other colors for a fourth heart.  The pink is now history and it couldn't have come a moment too soon.  Can you tell pink is NOT my favorite color?

These are now baked and ready for use when the spirit moves me.  I guess that's why I like prep days.  I can build up stock in anticipation of upcoming projects, or just to stay ahead.  My art friend Johanna calls it stash building, and I like that idea.

While in the basement, I got out my old radio that has cassette tape capability.  Yep, I'm really old school because I still sometimes listen to music on cassette tapes.  While I was kneading, rolling, and cutting these pieces, I listened to the Eagles, a band I fell in love with as a child.  I'm sure many of you know by now that Glenn Frey died Monday, so listening to the Eagles was something I thought was quite appropriate.  Guess I was born a decade too late, because all my favorite groups (I'm a die-hard rock fan) come from the 70s.  

Thanks for dropping by.  My apologies because I owe several people a visit from as far back as last Sunday.  I promise to visit as soon as possible.  I don't have the right technology to take with me, or I'd figure out a way to visit your blog while driving.  Again, have a wonderful remainder of the week and I will see you hopefully by the weekend.

13 thoughtful remarks:

froebelsternchen said...

I adore all you pink preparations today ....
looking forward to seeing the different projects on which you will use this!
Happy Wednesday Elizabeth!
oxo
Susi
the new rice + beans fan-lol.

My name is Erika. said...

Hope you are somewhere having fun. And I also can't wait to see what you end up doing with all those pieces. Prep days are one of my favorite days too- just playing and having some fun. And I am with you-I've moved past cassettes but my favorite bands are from the 70's too. See you when you get back!

Valerie-Jael said...

You certainly had a fun day with your prepping, and I am looking forward to seeing what you make with your stash. Enjoy your trip, stay safe and see you again soon. Hugs, Valerie

Nan G said...

Nice prep day stash. I need to have a prep day soon, too. Hope your few days away were good and safe. Hugs from me and the girls

pearshapedcrafting said...

Looks like a fun and productive day -some lovely stash all ready too! Loved the Eagles although being born at the end of the forties I am a teenager of the sixties.....and they were definitely the best for me! Rather worried that both David Bowie and Glenn Grey were both 69! Hope everything is OK.Hugs, Chrisx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Yes, I know it's Frey - clumsy fingers!

Krisha said...

LOVE the dyed fabric and cheese cloth!!
"Prep" days are fun......I like the "stash building" too.
I ALWAYS have music on when I'm back here at Betsy....from Rock to Jazz.....I have'em all on my I POD..I also have a cassett player or two too!
Have a great trip, see you when you get back......

Divers and Sundry said...

You may not like pink, but it certainly made some pretty hearts :)

~*~Patty S said...

Stash building is an important part of having fun and playing for sure.
You certainly have a nice stash of hearts ready.
Mottled/variegated is a favorite of mine too.
Hope you're off having a fun time.
Here in the Wash DC area we are bracing ourselves for a BIG Blizzard which will be our first snow of the season.
I like snow and am very excited especially with it falling on the weekend so people can stay safely at home.
oxo

Meggymay said...

Hope you are having a good trip. Your prepping looks interesting and i'm sure we will be seeing some fantastic makes soon.
Yvonne xx

Anonymous said...

that is some "***hot***" pink clay. Nice cheesecloth too. xox

Rita said...

I think of it as prep work, too. Pink it not one of my favorite colors to use, either. But it works well with hearts. ;) Safe travels. :)

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Great job building your stash! If only I could decide or predict ahead of time what I might make, but my brain does not seem wired for that.

Hope you enjoy wherever you are driving to. Stay safe and Happy weekend!