The designer David Hayes closed his shop a few doors down from my work in Beverly Hills. He is (according to rumor) one of the original costume designers for the famed TV show "Dallas" - although I have not been able to confirm that... anyway, as I was walking through the alley to move my car, I saw this dress form in the back! I talked with the people there (it was their last day and they were hauling things to the trash) - a small transaction later, I am the proud owner of this oldish dress form! It needs a little bit of work, and I have NO idea what I'm going to do with it (remember, I have a "new" one at home) but it's mine, in my garage and waiting patiently for its new role in my life. I also got some of David's labels and intend to sew one to the back neck of this form to help remember where it came from...
I got a little rough and dirty on the cleaning up of this bowl - took a bit too much material off of the bottom part - but I think it still looks good... we're gonna fire it to see what happens - I may leave the bottom half raw (unglazed) to see what it looks like... maybe just glaze the inside and rim.... any thoughts?
This is probably the best bowl I have done so far - symmetrical and pretty even - and I had just learned the technique of using a chamois on the lip of the bowl to make it nice and smoothe and rounded...
here's the yarn bowl in progress - as greenware and ready to be fired - I am thinking of using the fun Raku glazes and firing techniques on this one since it's for decorative/non food use anyway!
and for those of you asking me about the kitties... here's Wink all snuggled in her bed - I put one of my knit blankets down for her to sleep with... she curls up in a ball on her back and sleeps like this all night long... nothing like a comfy kitty!
I was reminded by an email from one of my good friends in High School about some of the t shirts I designed or help design for the theater department at Deer Valley High School in Glendale, AZ during the years 1988-1992. She has had shirts from the shows she has been in transformed into a neat quilt! Her mom actually made the quilt - and I am sad that I don't have all these shirts any longer... I still have the "Into The Woods" and "Grease" shirts - if I had more I'd make a quilt of my own... but years have passed... I have moved many times... and I don't know that I'd be able to get ahold of any of these so many years later. I appreciate having the images, though... it's nice to look back and remember...
Here's Kristen's quilt - I helped design five of the shirts on here - it touched me that she shared these images with me... I had forgotten about some of them!
I designed this on the bus on the way to school the day the submissions were due... a quick sketch - turned into a shirt... it could have been better, but I love that it has survived... this has been almost 20 years ago... can you believe it??
This one is a modified version of the sketch I used for the backdrop for this show... when doing the backdrop, I accidentally lowered the wrong drop and the day after sketching the design in magic marker (the drop was about 20' x 30') I was informed that I had lowered the wrong drop and instead of doing it on the seamed backdrop, I had drawn on a quite expensive lighting backdrop that was seamless.... a major mistake that was not repairable... I still have this shirt, thanks to my dad (rest his soul) who had saved it for years and years...
it's funny that I don't remember if I was in this play or not... I THINK I had a line or two at the end of the show. I DO know I designed the shirt... some people may find the image of the bedroom window familiar - it's my bedroom window from the house I lived in as a kid... New Middletown, IN - I did a painting of it recently...
My favorite times in High School were on stage or rehearsing or spending my Saturdays working on sets... I don't know for sure if I had much to do with this shirt - I think I may have drew the knife... but that'd be it if anything... on the back, however, I did sign my name along with the rest of the cast - we all wore black and white for this play - with one accent of red somewhere on our costume. (I wore red socks) - I was Plato in this play.... loved it and miss the fun of theater...
We go together... like ramalamalama da dinga de ding a dong... oh yes.. I was in Grease... I was asked by our director, Ms. Surloff, what role I'd want to play (we were all asked) and instead of saying, "I'd like some sort of lead - anything with a solo, please" - I said "I want to be the Teen Angel!" - I loved the song, Beauty School Dropout and knew it was a solo... what I didn't know was that it was the only time the Teen Angel appeared in the show... so I got what I asked for, and was annoyed a bit that I didn't have a larger part... but I was onstage... in the background, dancing on top of "Greased Lightnin'" and having a GREAT time with my friends... especially Kristen, who shared a "picnic" with me on stage during the show... every show we packed our prop lunch boxes with a real picnic and I loved drinking Yoo Hoos during the shows.... aah the memories.
I did the lettering and ring border for this design, and the comb I had added was removed to add the boy and girl in the car, drawn by another student... the collaboration worked really well and it's now a bit of history.
I have this show on videotape - and I have played it to remember the fun times... I have Grease, Into The Woods, Rebel Without a Cause and Brigadoon from Deer Valley High (on VHS converted to DVD) - I wish I had these shirts still... but the photos mean even more because my dear friend Kristen has reminded me of the fun I had in High School.
On another note, I was also in the Positive Force Players (sponsored by Planned Parenthood of Central and Northern Arizona) for I think 4-1/2 years and even though during that time I had probably 20-30 t shirts with the logo, I don't know that I have one any longer...
So there you go.... bored yet? anyone reading about my High School t shirts? I know, I know... it's not knitting... not clay... not painting... but it's part of my life... and remembering the moments that still make us smile is important... so there you go...
I received the best valentine EVER from my good friend Chuck - he's way too clever - he found a valentine of a girl KNITTING with YARN and a KITTY! - The only thing that could have made it more perfect would be if it were a boy knitting... but how thoughtful!
Since it's so amazing, I'm sharing it with you - wishing you the best of Valentines days - (or "V day" as some call it!) - hoping that you are able to take time out of your day to hug someone... (probably a good idea for that someone to be a person you know) haha
Just a quick post to wish everyone the best of holidays - we're not even awake yet - haven't opened presents - I wanted to send a photo of my tree bedecked with its white boas as garland... and show you what it looked like this year.. 9' tall and fake (thank you, Target!) - my fav. ornaments this year are still the 2 collars from my childhood doggies, Otis and Sugar - two peekingese doggies who filled my family's lives with joy and love for many many years...
This is Gregg's tree - vintagy and fun - he calls it his crazy tree... we only put up 2 this year (only?) - and we have enjoyed them every day. We don't know when we'll take them down... probably a few weeks into the new year. The last photo I'm putting in here is the one of my nutcrackers... I have quite a few now... we add some each year - they're fun and silly and it is so easy to collect them. The biggest problem with holiday decorations is storing them - they take up a lot of space!
Have a wonderful holiday - take a minute and call your relatives to tell them you're thinking of them - it's getting close to the new year - it's time to focus on the good we're all going to do together in 2009! Thank you for sharing part of your time with me and for reading my ramblings. It's so wonderful to have had the chance to get to know so many amazing people through the internet! OK OK - time to go open presents!!!
XOXOX
Kyle
Self Portrait - Painting in Progress
I'm working on my self portrait for Acrylics class and it's coming along nicely so far... I have the background begun and I'm pleased with the way the colors look. The staircase is from an antebellum mansion that is now owned (or was, anyway?) by Ashland (an oil company) and it's located in Louisiana - I think Baton Rouge?- anyway, it's probably gone now because of Katrina, but the photo remains, and I am in love with the curves of the staircase, aged plaster walls and old wooden stairs. This one is due on December 16th, so I have to get going on it - I plan on working more on it this weekend.
Thankful
The list could go on for miles... but here's a quick list of what (and who) I am thankful for this Thanksgiving, 2008-
- My Health - My Family - My Wonderful Animals - Eyesight, being able to move... drive a car... communicate effectively - Sanity (or insanity, depending on the day; I'm thankful for both) - creativity (the little I have) - my yarn stash - the support of my partner in my endeavors - friends online - friends across the country (and around the world) who I don't see as often as I'd like - sending (and receiving) random letters or packages in the mail - Knowing that everything happens for a reason and in time, everything passes - the comfort of knowing that my father and grandmother are both at peace, no longer suffering with illness or age - my history and the path that led me right here, right now - the courage to know who I am and the freedom in my country to be out and proud (even if that doesn't include the freedom to marry; at least I have the freedom to love) - and as corny as it sounds, I am thankful for every breath, every blink, every smile and laugh - I'm thankful I'm alive...
I'd love to hear who or what you are especially thankful for this year - if you feel inclined, email me or post a comment.
I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving -
Lyrics to the "song of the moment"
the song is beautiful and reminds me to be thankful for every day...
I'm Alive - Willie Nelson
It's so damn easy to say that life's so hard
Everybody's got their share of battle scars
As for me, I'd like to thank my lucky stars
That I'm alive and well
And it'd be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you sat and watched go up in flames
You were on, on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me, I'm alive
And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathing in and out's a blessing, can't you see?
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
And I'm alive and well, God, I'm alive and well
Stars are dancing on the water here tonight
It's good for the soul when there's not a soul in sight
This boat has caught it's wind and brought me back to life
Now I'm alive and well
And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathing in and out's a blessing, can't you see?
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
And I'm alive and well, God, I'm alive and well
It's time for us to take action. If you believe that anyone should have the right to marry the person they want, regardless of gender, please take 5 minutes and write your senators and congresspersons. I have attached a letter addressed to CA Senators Feinstein and Boxer. Please download, add your name, address and signature line at the bottom, print, and mail it. The more that we share our concerns, the more that our representatives will begin to pay attention.
For those of you who do not believe in equal rights for all, I respect your beliefs-- and hope you'll move past this post if you're not interested in open discussion. In the end, we're all here looking to lead good productive loving lives... the passing of Prop 8 in California has no benefit that I can see.
The only silver lining in the prop is that it does not appear to forbit civil unions to be created for same sex couples. If it's 100% the same except for the name, then I'd be fine with that - of course, in the forms across the state that ask single, divorced, married - I'd check "married" - but baby steps...
This letter will hopefully make a point and might someday down the road help any couple who wishes the benefits of marriage. Thank you for taking time to stand up for equal rights! :)
I tried quilting once... Mom and I went out and selected fabric. we cut and pieced it by machine. She set me up with the quilt on the hoop and showed me what to do. I did 2 hoops worth of quilting and decided it's not for me. Quilting is "hard!"
While I doubt I'll be a quilter as my mom and other relatives, I am definately an admirer (and collector) of quilts. Some of my quilts have a history - and some of my quilts were just purchased. (they still have a history... I just don't know what it is!)
That's the sad part about our culture, in my opinion. I think it's important to remember who people were... where we came from... so for that reason, I added a new tab to my website this weekend - labeled "Quilts" it shows some of my collection... and with any luck, the information I gain from those who visit and help to input may help me catalog my collection. I will continue to add quilts as I aquire them. Please take a look and let me know if you know anything about any of these or if you have any suggestions as to how I can identify patterns or even date them.
I also decided a week or two ago to write the biography of my Grandmother. I have begun the aquisition of information, including birth/death certificates, timelines, interviews, etc. I will be completing this for a class I'll be taking at Middle Tennessee State University - a "Senior Project" of sorts, it's an online class that I need to take in order to get my degree.... I can think of no subject more fitting than that of my grandmother to devote a semester of study. In its completion, this book may help to preserve her story. I will be adding photos of her, stories of her life, facts about our family and even possibly a collection of images of her posessions. Only time will tell what it'll include...
I am amazed that the 3 day weekend is over... tomorrow; back to work... starting school tomorrow evening... and this coming weekend it's the L.A. County Fair! :)
So, Grandma is gone - safely laid to rest. I'm back home from the funeral and from visiting family. It's always good to see my family - but it's sad that the only time we seem to be able to gather is at a time of mourning... Still, I was able to see family I hadn't seen in years and years so that's a good thing. I reconnected with my cousin Julie which is awesome!
My sister and I decided to make our own arrangements for the funeral - we bought large crystal vases - like the ones that our Grandmother had at her house (but bigger) and fill them with roses and other flowers. Grandma loved yellow roses... and hydrangea but really, she wasn't that picky - she loved any flower... right down to wildflowers! That way, after the service, we could keep the vases and remember our Grandmother whenever we used them - she loved flowers so much - and we both thought it would be a fitting tribute... to also be able to pass down through the family generation to generation...
we made 2 large and 1 smaller arrangement in her honor and placed them in the funeral home during the visitation. We made the smaller arrangement with hydrangea and other flowers, and I cut wild sage from my sister's yard and put in that vase - it smelled so good!
The other two vases were either filled with 4 dozen yellow and red/pink roses or full of lilies and roses -
After the visitation and service, I took the flowers and put them in a large 5 gallon bucket (which is where they are in this photo) - and carried them to the cemetery. After the graveside service was finished and we were leaving, I put a rose on my grandfather's grave, my great grandmother and great grandfather's graves, and on my dad's grave. we paid out respects, then headed back across the river to Indiana to the nursing home that Grandma spent her last years.
We ran by a dollar store and I picked up a bunch of plastic vases that look like cut crystal (they're actually pretty nice!) and then my nephew, brother in law and I sat them out on the sidewalk at the nursing home, filled them with water from the hose, and while they cut the stems shorter and handed the flowers and greenery to me, I quickly made 9 smaller arrangements out of the large assemblage of flowers we had.
The three of us went into the nursing home and after speaking with the staff, randomly selected residents to receive flowers. The first lady I gave flowers to had been there only 3 weeks - she was happy with the home so far - I explained that my Grandmother had lived there over a decade and had just finished her life - and in celebration of her wonderful life and in her honor, we were giving flowers - to let each person there know that there are people who are thinking of them... it was a wonderful feeling!
The last lady we gave flowers to had just finished with some sort of surgery. Her family was visiting with her and she seemed to be doing pretty well. Her face lit up and she was so happy that we had taken time to say hi and that we had thought of her. She happened to also be covered in one of the blankets that my Grandmother had made - (Grandma used to make quilts and blankets and donate them to the homes - years and years ago.... - I don't know how old this particular one was... but the nurse told me it came from my Grandma) -
Anyway, I wanted to share - the service was beautiful - the family was there and we were able to celebrate her life - she is now laid to rest and at peace and, as my sis said, she's finally free - no longer trapped in that frail body!
If you ever have extra flowers... and you don't know what to do with them... if you have a wedding, or funeral, or large party... and there are flowers abundant afterwards, might I suggest that you take a little of your time, spend a few dollars and get some plastic vases - arrange some happiness and make some random deliveries to a nursing home. It will be the highlight of your week; I promise.
Grandma would have been proud of us. I think we did good.
Here's a great photo of my Grandma and Great Grandma, along with my cousin - I think this was in the 60's and I think it is in Florida... this photo hung on Grandma's wall for as long as I can remember!
While visiting, I had my share of sweet tea (I LOVE it and you can't get it in California at the restrurants.... and putting sweetener in it is not the same!) and we were able to stop at Cracker Barrel and get Chicken and dumplings!
I'm going to miss my Grandma - but I know she's in a better place now - and I also know that someday I'll see her again...
I have so many fond childhood memories. There was that cardboard box that sat in Grandma’s laundry room and was pulled out every time I came to visit. I knew the toys and coloring books were there waiting for me as we parked around the corner, and as I walked down the sidewalk past her rose bushes and that white metal rocker to her screen door. I remember the moments right after my parents left – I would put my little suitcase in Grandma’s room and we’d talk about what I would like for dinner.
Chicken and Dumplings…banana salad… and ice cream; whatever I wanted – we’d make a list, get her black metal rolling grocery cart out and make our way up the narrow sidewalk to the store. Keeping me safe, she’d always walk between me and the busy street– and while we walked, we’d look around and tell stories. When I was visiting Grandma, it seemed I could have anything I wanted, right down to desert! My favorite was chocolate ice cream. She’d buy a half gallon without any question (even though her favorite was butter pecan) and smile as she watched me gobble it down…at that time I didn’t realize that her buying me ice cream or a toy meant tighter budgeting for her… splurging for her grandson meant sacrificing down the road.
One afternoon, while Grandma was either ironing for someone or maybe repairing uniforms for the folks at Kentucky Fried Chicken, I remember asking her to make me a pillow for me. She stopped what she was doing and asked me what the pillow was to look like. We’d pull out a box of fabric scraps buttons and ric rac and I would design the pillow while she finished mending or hemming or sewing on her work. After she got to a point where she could take a break, she’d spend a long while sewing a one of a kind creation just for me. I find joy in giving handmade gifts because of my Grandmother. She taught me to create and through my family I have grown to realize that the value of a gift is not related to its cost – the best gift I ever received was that of encouragement from Grandma.
I don’t have any of her pillows anymore. Growing up, they were lost in the shuffle – but what has not been lost are the memories I have watching her do her very best at every craft – the finest work – and working with what she had to solve problems. I believe this is where I get my creativity… working with what you have….
I remember my naps in Grandma’s room – the freezing cold of her air conditioner – dozing off in the powdery smell of her bed – waking up and playing music on her record player – “Fiddler on the Roof” … “The Gatlin Brothers”… dulcimer music … Elvis Presley’s “How Great Thou Art”…
I also remember going to Eastlawn Elementary to fly a kite with her… I remember going to the creek, and her losing one of her shoes – chasing after it as it floated away… I remember sitting in her lap, laying my head on her chest and dozing off; totally safe… listening to her talk and the vibrations through her ribcage… listening to her heartbeat… and to her singing.
I remember one day probably around 3rd grade, Grandma wrote me a note and told me that she’d pay me $1 if I would memorize Psalm 23; The Lord’s Prayer. She wrote in this note that it’s an important message. I sat down and memorized the prayer and returned to her… recited it for her… "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul..."
She smiled and gave me a dollar. The last time I remember seeing that note, I had rolled it up and put it inside a glass jug – probably 6th grade. Being an adult, even today, I still don’t know the gifts I have received from my family – the strength I have witnessed – the creativity and love and understanding – the feeling that no matter what struggle I had there would always be open arms to go to…
She taught me all those years ago not to be afraid – and in her letters to me, she assured me (even decades ago) that she was not afraid of dying. She told me not to be afraid – that death is a part of life – and I know now, with the passing of Dad in 2007 that while it may seem like a scary path to travel, it’s something we all must do. I find comfort in knowing that Dad is there, along with Uncle Dave and so many others waiting to welcome her to Heaven.
Growing up is hard... it’s impossible to believe that my Grandmother’s time on Earth is over. The years have been difficult, and while some may feel left behind, I am doing my best to be brave. I know that she is watching over each one of us– doing everything that she can to protect us… standing between me and the busy road, just like she always has. Venice Kunnecke passed away today, August 20, 2008 around 2PM in Southern Indiana surrounded by her family. She was 95.
We had a pretty calm holiday 3 day weekend (HOORAY for 3 day weekends!) - on Saturday, I went to Simply Knitting and knitted with my buddy Terri - and I was able to get lots done on my Dr G's Memory Vest! the snowflake sweater is AWOL right now - the lady who is fixing the shoulder seams for me was out of town on a trip... so I didn't get that one back... it's OK though - instead of focusing on finishing that sweater, I got to devote lots of time to this one!
After knitting, I went to my nieces 8th birthday party at Chuck E Cheese's - if you don't know about this place, its a crazy kid land that has been around forever... when I lived in Fountain Valley, CA (during around 6th grade), my neighbor and I would pretend to have a Chuck E Cheese theater in his playroom. He would go to the restraunt with his portable casette tape player, record the shows that the animatronics perform, and then go back to the playroom, and transform the closet into a stage - we'd throw fishing line over the clothes rod, and tie stuffed animals up so that we could pull the line and make them bounce up and down to the music. He made a set for the animals, and we re-created the feeling right in his playroom. it was crazy. (I wish I had video of this, but I don't) -
That being said, I'm 33 years old now, and I don't love Chuck E Cheese anymore... I think of it as "germland" more than "funland" - icky and full of uncontrolled kids, snotting and sneezing all over the place, screaming and flinging pizza. (ick!)
On Sunday, we had a party at my partner's parent's house - there were probably 40 people there - mostly relatives and a few close family friends - it was a LOT of work and sent us to bed early last night. Today we spent the day cleaning up and taking advantage of deals at the grocery store... loading up on soft drinks (Ralphs had 5 12 packs for $10!)... napping... and washing cars -(just enough to get the dirt off) nice and relaxing.
I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend - the good news for this week is that for those of us who had Monday off, it's a 4 day work week! I am still knitting on the vest tonight and relaxing... in the next few weeks I want to try to organize my knitting and yarn stash - to get an idea of what projects are in my queue... but not today - not tonight... only a few hours before sleepytime... :)
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