Sunday Evening

Another overcast day with storms due in tonight. It's rare to have these gray days here, even in the coldest of winter the sun shines.  On the plus side, it's toned down my spring fever and I've had a couple of relaxing days.  Read a new mystery by Nora Robert and watched more TV than I have in months.  I made some silk western bandanas and hand finished them with a rolled hem.  It made me realize how much I enjoy hand work in the evenings and how much I'd missed it.  So I got some work out and am finishing up a baby blanket I started quite awhile ago, it's crocheted in a popcorn stitch.  Took me a couple of rows to get back into it but am enjoying it.  I have a hard time getting interested in television shows and this allows me to listen but still keep my hands busy.

Talking to Strangers

Did your Mother tell you never to talk to strangers?  Or maybe you told your own children that?  There were good reasons we did, and do, teach our children to be safe and those haven't changed. But are you still avoiding speaking to someone you don't know - just because you haven't been introduced?  If so, you may be missing a great part of life.  What a boost to my day when someone says you have beautiful hair or some other compliment, just in passing. The sun shines a little brighter after that. Next time you admire someone or something, just step up and tell them so! You meet some great people.

As I've gotten older I find it much easier to approach a stranger to compliment her on her hair - or maybe ask a question. In Wal-Mart parking lot one evening I saw a beautiful tapestry purse sitting in the basket while the woman put her groceries in the car.  I just made a passing comment on how much I liked it and she stopped to tell me she'd made it herself.  So we talked and she told me how she devised the pattern and why she made it.  I really enjoyed talking to her and when I got home I wished I'd thought to get her phone number - or given her mine - and she seemed like someone I'd like to know.

Along that line I met an attractive, funny and talented woman yesterday in the fabric store.  I'd just run up to get something that was on sale and while I was waiting for a clerk a woman asked me a question about figuring yardage for drapes.  Many years ago I taught drapery making so we laid her fabric out and had an enjoyable conversation about sewing, decorating, colors and laughed about how when we started out harvest gold and avocado green were in vogue.  We got her yardage figured and she was inspired to upholster a chair to match.

I may never see her again, but I did give her my name and phone number.  No matter what comes of it, it turned a boring errand into a fun hour.  I came home and went back to hand rolling hems with a smile :)  Do you have some "random acts of kindness" to share?  I'd love to hear them.

Almost gone!

I'll honor orders received through the end of the month.

Thanks to everyone who has ordered the book, I hope it proves enjoyable and helpful for you.

Changing Hats

You all know how much I love to work with clay, and my passion for facial reconstruction but what you may not know is I have the same passion for fabric.  The women in my family all do beautiful needlework, my grandmother won first place in the Texas State Fair.  I'm of an age when little girls learned to sew and do needlework.  It stood me in good stead over the years, I've used it much more than the other skills I learned during those years, like how to throw a spiral football pass :)

I'm putting together a new website that will have room for all my work.  I love antique linens and enjoy using them to create something new.  Working with fabric is very calming for me, there is something about the feel of the fabric, laces and ribbons that just feels good.  I'll still work in clay and on reconstructions, the next book is already started and will be out later this year.

I was reading over the comments from the past few months, and I'd love to have you all over for a cup of tea and just visit.  We have a lot in common.  My herbs will be coming up very soon now, the roses are pruned and we plan to plant several new ones this year.  I love the old ones, they have a wonderful fragrance.  In fact, I have a bowl of rose pot-pourri on the coffee table and occasionally I catch the scent as I sit here working.

Now that I have more free time, I'd love to hear from all of you.  What you've been doing and what you're working on..

Switched Hats

As soon as we had some extra time I started working on some western clothing for my granddaughter.  She's the director of the Sheriff's Mounted Posse and they are going to be working a re--enactment this spring.  Whenever possible they like to dress in western gear so I'm busy sewing.

I'm also working on a new website, one at a time.  I've always worked with fabric, the women in my family all do beautiful needlework.  My grandmother won first place at the Texas State Fair many years ago.  So even though I love to have my hands in clay and I d

Going Fast

There are just a few books left for the introductory offer if any of you are interested.  It's been fun, exciting and a lot of work!  We've kept the mailman busy the last couple of weeks.  It's a a great feeling to read your e-mails.

Ready to ship!

We have a limited number of books available on the introductory offer.  While supplies last you can purchase the book for $30, including tax and priority mail shipping (USA only).  Canadian orders will ship first class.  If you are in another country you may find it easier to order from Amazon.com or BN.com, but if you do want a signed copy, e-mail me first so I can figure postage.

 

Artists traditionally strive to produce beautiful and/or inspiring art. The goal of a Forensic Artist, however, is to produce a likeness of an individual that might lead to recognition. Using the skull as a foundation, the forensic artist uses various skeletal markers and identifiers to reconstruct the face. This book will provide you with information that will help you increase your skills, enhance your talents, and learn those details that will add additional realism to your figures.

This book is not meant to teach Forensic Facial Reconstruction. It is a guide to sculpting and drawing realistic faces incorporating some of the techniques facial reconstruction artists use. You’ll learn bone structure as the foundation, muscles to add depth and definition, and the details that result in more realistic features.

 

Questions?  e-mail jan@windsongbooks.com