I do like washi tape, and have found it does better than cellophane tape on areas that need repeated folding. I prefer my sheet music to lay flat, rather than stapled, because it makes it easier to set on the piano or a music stand. Scotch tape or cellophane tape just doesn’t make a good hinge, as it easily tears lengthwise.
Photo description: washi tape used to hold together sheets of music on the long edges
I start with a 1-2 millimeter gap between pages to allow for the fold, then apply a strip of washi tape on both sides of the gap. I trim the edges with scissors after applying.
As an added bonus, washi tape comes in pretty colors and patterns.
Twice a year we make bookmarks for my youngest’s teachers. Historically they have featured a picture of her and some Photoshop work of mine. One year, a shot of her lying on a bench became her flying through the sky. This round, though, she didn’t want her photo on there, instead requesting “clouds and snowflakes”. Um, OK. I used the AI generator in Photoshop, mainly to test it out. Do I have pictures of my own of clouds and snowflakes? Yes. Could I have Photoshopped them together? Yes. Could I have done it in less time? Maybe not. It takes time to come up with a phrase and cycle through generating images. This AI doesn’t understand exclusions, so when I typed “open blue sky with white fluffy clouds and sparkling snowflakes no trees” I was bombarded with fluffy snow covered trees and undulating landscapes. I couldn’t get it to let go of the landscaping so I cropped it out. I also used the usual digital techniques for adding the words my eldest requested, with an outer glow to have it stand out from the background. See, my digital skills are still required even with AI assistance. Hm.
Photo description: a stack of blue bookmarks with snowflake shapes and clouds and the words “I will miss you!” Gold tassels attached to each bookmark.
What I would really like is to specify the reference set the AI uses to generate the image. Then I could feed it my own photographic library and know where the images are coming from. The snowflakes would be better, and it theoretically would save me time. My biggest time vortex is searching through my photos for what I want. I would also know that I wasn’t relying on some other human artist’s unknown participation. I’ve read that images used for AI training aren’t always compensated or legally used. I wouldn’t ever claim those snowflakes though, but they did make my youngest happy. I could go on and on about AI snowflakes.
I also bought the tassels this year rather than making them. Time ran away from me, so it was a desperation measure, but I’m pleased with the purchase. They are nice tassels, well constructed, and a pretty metallic gold. As requested.
The Spring wildflowers are showing off in our meadow.
Photo description: horsemint, cutleaf daisy, and Indian blanket in the foreground, our coop and deer ornament in the mid ground, and the post oak and cedar elm of our wood in the backgroundPhoto description: closeup of horsemint with a scattering of cut leaf daisy and Indian blanket flowers
Now, down the hill, hidden by those flowers is mostly grass. I’m not sure what happened to the flowers that used to come up there, although it could have been the heat, or the freeze, or the wet, or a grass roots take over. I might throw some extra seeds down back there and see if we can’t get something more started.
In November of 2005 I made a wood and nail jig and produced several styles of wire snowflake ornaments.
Photo description: twisted dark blue wire snowflake with one branch replaced with a crystal beadPhoto description: twisted copper wire snowflake with crystal beads around the center and double the amount of wirePhoto description: twisted silver wire snowflake with a single crystal bead in the center
It is quite satisfying the number of permutations that can be achieved with a single jig just by skipping an element or doubling the wire or adding beads in different places. I did move away from the black velvet for photos, but was having trouble with white balance using the cream colored felt. Yes, I could break out Photoshop and adjust them to all match, but I think the varied backgrounds are appropriate for a Throwback Thursday.
I don’t have the jig anymore, but it was a simple affair with nails driven through 1/8” or 1/4” plywood. I didn’t make any more wire snowflakes after this round because it was a pain and a twisting nightmare.
We have started the integration process with the two new chickens with our existing flock. The first supervised mingling was a bit traumatic (there were in-flight, talons-out attacks), so we have initiated a very slow protocol. We’re swapping the flocks, so the new hens can explore the old coop, and the existing hens can explore the new coop. The Black Star hens will be dominant over the Faverolle hens (Faverolles are typically at the bottom of the pecking order), so we give treats to the Black Star first to let them know we know, and to try and reduce their need to physically establish dominance. A few pecks here and there is just the chicken way, but we don’t need any feet involved.
Photo description: two Black Star hens looking into a new coop area with caution
After the swap, we let the hens to back to their own sides, with careful observation of interactions, and some herding and guarding if necessary. We’ll continue this process until we can keep all the doors open all the time. Or not. The two groups can see each other through the poultry wire, and if need be will stay separated when unsupervised.
Critters and Craft 