Playing with the new digital camera I got myself for Christmas, I got out one morning and caught the sun coming up behind the house. The pond is far enough from the house that I really didn't expect to get this reflection. Earlier in the year it would have been too grown up with cattails to get any reflection, but it was cleaned out in October, and we've had enough rain to nearly fill it back up.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Oral History Transcription Hint
I just learned a great tool to help with oral history transcriptions. Several months ago I was asked to transcribe an oral history for someone. So I figured out how to transfer the audio cassette to mp3 using my mp3 player, and I used that file to transcribe from. But the entire time I was transcribing I was wishing there was a way to slow down the audio so I could keep up with it better.
There is a way. My niece wanted me to listen to a song she liked in fast speed. I have to admit that I really didn't care what the song sounded like speeded up, but I immediately latched onto the idea that if you can speed it up then you can slow it down. Yep, Window's Media Player does both.
At the upper right hand corner of the window, beside the minimize and close buttons, there is a little arrow pointing down. Under that menu is a menu for 'play' and under that is a selection called 'play speed'. You can slow it down or speed it up as much as you like. I can't wait to start another transcription and try it out. Now if I could find a cassette player that doesn't transfer a lot of noise to the mp3 I'll be doing good.
There is a way. My niece wanted me to listen to a song she liked in fast speed. I have to admit that I really didn't care what the song sounded like speeded up, but I immediately latched onto the idea that if you can speed it up then you can slow it down. Yep, Window's Media Player does both.
At the upper right hand corner of the window, beside the minimize and close buttons, there is a little arrow pointing down. Under that menu is a menu for 'play' and under that is a selection called 'play speed'. You can slow it down or speed it up as much as you like. I can't wait to start another transcription and try it out. Now if I could find a cassette player that doesn't transfer a lot of noise to the mp3 I'll be doing good.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Basket Weaving Marathon
For some reason this weekend turned into a basketry marathon. Or, more appropriately, a basket finishing marathon. Maybe because I'm trying to get organized or maybe because my daughter made a comment that I never finish anything, I decided to get working on those baskets that were almost finished but just needed a rim.
First was a pie basket that has been awaiting a rim for, yes I am cringing, a year and a half. I don't have a photo of it because it came out blurry. Maybe later.
Next was the basket above that was started about a year ago in a class taught by Anne Coleman. The base is wooden and the dividers that you see are part of the base. It was woven with cane in a continuous under 1, over 1, under 1, over 2 pattern which makes a narrow and a wide diagonal pattern. It is already full of basket making tools and reed, so I guess that makes it a keeper.
Three of these four baskets are new and needed a rim and handles. The fourth was one I carried as a purse for about a year and broke a handle and the rim. I just repaired it, so I could use it again.They were made before the house was built, so that means they've been sitting for over 2 years. Maybe my daughter has a point. Maybe that should have been my resolution. "Do not start a new project until all others are finished." But I had an excuse with these baskets, really, I did. All the handles were hand shaped from heavy reed and were a pain to do. Now that the baskets are finished, I'm thinking I should have used a thinner reed for the rim. The tops are really stiff.
The pattern for these baskets came from Lyn Siler's, The Ultimate Basket Book because I wanted to weave something more challenging than I was getting in the classes offered on campus. They were that, but the final result was worth it. The peach one was woven with colored stakes and the pink with colored weavers which reverses the pattern. Woven in all natural makes the design more subtle. You have to stand away from it to really see it.
And last, but not least was this one. I had the
reed cut for this basket, but had never made it. It is small, but was tricky to get the shaping right. The pattern was by Patti Hawkins, but I made it in 1/4' reed rather than 11/64, so it is about twice as large as the pattern. Notice the rim is complete. It isn't the standard rim, but uses only one piece of 3/8" flat oval with the stakes folded over on the outside and lashed as you go. Tedious but the entire basket was done start to finish in one sitting.
By the way, cable ties are God's gift to basket makers.
First was a pie basket that has been awaiting a rim for, yes I am cringing, a year and a half. I don't have a photo of it because it came out blurry. Maybe later.Next was the basket above that was started about a year ago in a class taught by Anne Coleman. The base is wooden and the dividers that you see are part of the base. It was woven with cane in a continuous under 1, over 1, under 1, over 2 pattern which makes a narrow and a wide diagonal pattern. It is already full of basket making tools and reed, so I guess that makes it a keeper.
Three of these four baskets are new and needed a rim and handles. The fourth was one I carried as a purse for about a year and broke a handle and the rim. I just repaired it, so I could use it again.They were made before the house was built, so that means they've been sitting for over 2 years. Maybe my daughter has a point. Maybe that should have been my resolution. "Do not start a new project until all others are finished." But I had an excuse with these baskets, really, I did. All the handles were hand shaped from heavy reed and were a pain to do. Now that the baskets are finished, I'm thinking I should have used a thinner reed for the rim. The tops are really stiff.The pattern for these baskets came from Lyn Siler's, The Ultimate Basket Book because I wanted to weave something more challenging than I was getting in the classes offered on campus. They were that, but the final result was worth it. The peach one was woven with colored stakes and the pink with colored weavers which reverses the pattern. Woven in all natural makes the design more subtle. You have to stand away from it to really see it.
And last, but not least was this one. I had the
reed cut for this basket, but had never made it. It is small, but was tricky to get the shaping right. The pattern was by Patti Hawkins, but I made it in 1/4' reed rather than 11/64, so it is about twice as large as the pattern. Notice the rim is complete. It isn't the standard rim, but uses only one piece of 3/8" flat oval with the stakes folded over on the outside and lashed as you go. Tedious but the entire basket was done start to finish in one sitting.By the way, cable ties are God's gift to basket makers.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Keeneland Green
For some reason I get stuck on rims. I have about 10 baskets at home that have been completed except for the rim. There should be a term for it, since I know others who have done the same thing. Rimophobia, maybe. And a co-worker asked me to finish the rim on her basket. Little did she know.
But over the break I was determined to beat this brick wall and at least get the rim on Carol's basket. While I was at it I also finished this one that I made about a year ago. This is an Anne Coleman pattern called Keeneland Green. The design in the center can vary and for this basket I chose a diamond pattern. Last year for Christmas I gave a basket woven in this pattern with an arrow in the center to my nephew's wife Ashli. This one I think I'll keep as a wastebasket in the living room.
But over the break I was determined to beat this brick wall and at least get the rim on Carol's basket. While I was at it I also finished this one that I made about a year ago. This is an Anne Coleman pattern called Keeneland Green. The design in the center can vary and for this basket I chose a diamond pattern. Last year for Christmas I gave a basket woven in this pattern with an arrow in the center to my nephew's wife Ashli. This one I think I'll keep as a wastebasket in the living room.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Christmas basket weaving
Over the Christmas break I remade this basket. Yes, I took it completely apart and put it back together again. I filled it too heavy and when it was picked up one side pulled out from the wooden base and the handle pulled loose from the stakes. Yikes, back to the drawing board. I adapted this pattern from a huge tote bag I made in a class and put it on a wooden base rather than a woven base. Obviously the stakes weren't close enough together to hold everything securely.This is a large basket with a wooden base 11 1/2" by 18". The stakes alternate between 1/2" brown and 5/8" natural. They were glued into the slot this time around. Three rows of twining with #2 round reed secure the bottom and weaving is done with 1/4" flat oval, 1/2" flat flat natural and 1/2" flat flat brown.
The handle was woven into the basket and the rim is 5/8" half round lashed with 5mm cane. I may have to make another one to keep since my girls have been wanting laundry baskets. This one goes to Minnie.
1000 Mile Club
OK, now I feel like a real wimp. Here's an 82 year old man who walked his 1000 miles in 146 days. And I'm already behind for this year.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
New Year's Resolutions
Do you know that if you walk 2.73 miles a day every day of the year you will have walked 1000 miles? Not too bad, huh? At a brisk pace it would take about 45 minutes a day. But, if you get lazy and skip days, you end up walking 5 or 6 miles a day for the last two weeks of the year.
Back at the beginning of 2007 I signed up for the Richmond Parks Department 1000 Mile Club. (Actually I signed up for 2006 and quit in May.) December 31st I walked two miles to total 1000.5 miles walked in 2007 and to complete my first ever New Year's Resolution.
I think I'm going to try it again. Along with quitting Pepsis and taking the GRE. Success must go to my head. Finish one resolution and I think I can handle 3 this year. Pepsi will definitely be the hardest.
Back at the beginning of 2007 I signed up for the Richmond Parks Department 1000 Mile Club. (Actually I signed up for 2006 and quit in May.) December 31st I walked two miles to total 1000.5 miles walked in 2007 and to complete my first ever New Year's Resolution.
I think I'm going to try it again. Along with quitting Pepsis and taking the GRE. Success must go to my head. Finish one resolution and I think I can handle 3 this year. Pepsi will definitely be the hardest.
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