Stuff

Yesterday I experimented with some casting resin. Ooh, fun stuff. A long time ago Dean sent me some unused bottle caps. I took five of them and scraped colored chalk into them until I had a little pile of color in each one. Then I mixed up some resin and poured it into the caps. Then I stirred them (carefully) until the chalk dust was well mixed. I set those aside. I had a bit of resin left over so I decided to see what else could be imbedded in it. Sometimes things will discolor in resin. I rubber stamped an image with gold ink on a piece of paper and dropped it in. I also put in some flakes of acrylic paint for color. Both of these things worked just fine. It gave me an idea for a fun little art piece.

The casting worked really well. I guess my measuring and mixing were just right. Today I'm going to finish the bottle caps by imbedding some trinkets in clear resin. When those are set I'll drill holes in them and string them up as a funky necklace. If it all turns out I'll develop it into a Michael's class.

Yesterday I also made the first steps of a spooky mirror frame. This is another class idea. I made some fake bones out of air dry clay. Then I cut a frame out of some foam core. I set the frame on a board covered with newspaper. Then I squirted on some spray foam insulation. While it was still wet I embedded the bones and some big round beads for eyeballs. The foam expanded up around the bones and eyeballs. It worked pretty well except some of the bones sunk down too far into the foam. Right now it doesn't look like much but when it's painted it'll look like a bunch of gross body parts with bones and eyeballs sticking out. Then I'll attach the mirror. A lovely addition to anyone's Halloween decor.

I'll also do a monster version and a Hellmouth version. It's a pretty fun project although I'd consider it to be advanced. I love that spray foam!

On Sunday Jeff, Bill and I performed at Eden Lutheran Church for their 119th anniversary celebration. We just played ukuleles and sang some songs. It was pretty cool. First they had a potluck lunch. Then some people got up and told stories of their experiences at Eden. One woman, who was the most enjoyable speaker, was 97 years old. I could have listened to her all afternoon. She had been at Eden since she was very young. They actually used to have services there in Swedish.

After the eating and storytelling we performed. I think we did ok although I'm never satisfied with my performances. We didn't have sound, just one mike that was placed way too far. Jeff and Bill can really project and I just can't match them without pushing. So I don't think I sang as well as I wanted to. But the audience enjoyed the show and at the end they took up a collection. We made $94!

Some of the folks from Hope were there. The big treat of the day was seeing Albert and Elise Maas. I haven't seen them in at least 15 years. Elise was one of Mom's best friends. They are such dear people.

Afterward Jeff and Bill and I drove to Claremont to the folk music center. Bill bought a uke for one of his students. After that we had dinner at a restaurant down the street. It was a very enjoyable day. I always have fun hanging out with those guys.

Today I'm going back to Ramona to work on the bridge prop. Jeez, I hope I can finish it today! Tomorrow night is my first class. This morning I'm going to Michael's to see if anyone has signed up. I'm going to hang up some skeletons and cards around the store. If I don't get any sign ups by tomorrow morning I'm going to cancel the class.

Dad was really foggy last night. He was trying to tell me about some trouble he was having but he barely made sense. He's better this morning.

It's a beautiful day. The weather is just dreamy.