I apologize again to my readers for neglecting my blog you so generously support. I am still adjusting to the increases in the chemotherapy, and counting all my hairs as they fall out. A lot of napping is involved also.

However, my dear friend Jeff Wagg (over at College of Curiosity) has been not only a dear friend through all this, but also a good influence. His cure for almost anything is “curiosity”. Following this advice, I have taken on many new projects. Learning something new has proven to help with the boredom of bed rest. My origami has significantly improved. I’ve knit many hats for children in need. I use my friends knitting scraps and left over bits, and tried to be really creative.

here you see my first attempt at a squirrel. I gave up and didn’t even give it ears. A few weeks later, and you see the much improved squirrel.

I also decided to learn needle felting. Needle felting involves wool roving, and a needle. That is it. No glue is used to hold the pieces together. I cheat by gluing on eyes. But every bit is sculpted and held together just by the wool binding to itself. My daughter excels at this craft, but I’ve never been successful with sculpture. Drawing and painting I’m fine with; three dimensions has always my nemesis. So, this was an especially good skill to learn as I was going to have to WORK at it. Frustration can really take your mind off pain.

Much improved squirrel. Not great as far as needle felting goes, but I’m learning!

I am beginning to get better. Bit by bit, curse by curse, I finally have begun to over come my belief I could never do sculpting of any sort. While working with just a needle and felt isn’t the same as chiseling a rock, it does require the same ability to imagine in a different way than when you are drawing or painting.

Doing something POORLY, and then sticking with it until you are at least less poor at it, can be very satisfying.

I finally decided to try to do a small Randi doll. I have to admit I have nothing on true needle felt artists, but I have been enjoying making some gifts for friends. I did not count on my cat Moxie.

Randi, a flying pig and Moxie

Moxie sees a camera and she HAS to be in front of it. I do not know how she knows this is the most annoying place for her to be. If I am taking a video it is the same thing. Perhaps she was a super model in a former life? All I know is trying to take a photograph of the small Randi doll proved almost impossible.

But, I am hanging in there, and learning lots of new things. The latest thing I’ve learned is that I can’t understand my cat at all, and I shouldn’t even try.