05.06.06
4:00 p.m.
Progress in the paper-making department. I've assembled many of the elements. The wood is cut for frames, the post boards are cut, sanded and waterproofed. I've set up the work station down stairs, and we went fabric hunting today, and found the scrap bin. From there we pulled several bundles that should get me started on my journey into paper making. I retrieved a scrap of jute, although not necessarily absorbent, I think it will make for interesting patterns in the paper.
I probably should give definitions at this point in paper-making. The "felt" is the fabric you use inbetween each piece of paper. A post is made up of twenty or so pieces of paper. The boards you use to press the post are called post boards. The deckle and mold are the frames you use to make the paper in the pulp bin. An ordinary household blender can be used to pulp the recycled paper and fabric you choose to make your paper with. "Couching" (pronounced "cooching") is the term used for when you "throw" the paper from the screen.
These are the terms I'll be using while documenting this process. I am so very excited that I am so close to being able to start making paper. The set up is involved, yet relatively inexpensive. The wood I am using is "found" wood, left in the garage by Master's dad. Coincidently, he is the one who cut the wood for me. The blender I am using is Mamasita's blender, and by her own confession, it hasn't been used in ages. The work station is utilizing a table Master's dad left, and another table Mamasita was using for laundry, when the washing machine still worked. The table I put on top of the table frame is found wood (again) from the garage.
The only things purchased were the fabric, the screening material, (which I am also going to use to re-screen the Iguana Cage); and I have to purchase elements to put the frames together (deckle and mold). I found braces for $1.79 for 4, with screws. I think it is a better way to go because I'd need 2" nails to go through the wood, and I'm not so good with a hammer. Besides, it'll make for a sturdier frame.
I've wanted to make paper for a very long time. Now that Master is focusing on Her collage endeavors, I want to make paper for Her. It is part of my service to Her to provide interesting and unique items for Her amusement. Combining our artistic talents is a current goal. This is just the start. We do have different approaches and methodology, but I anticipate the results to be gratifying for Her, and for me.
Woo-hoo!!!!!!!
Another few days and I'll be making some paper!
Work is not easy right now due to the boss. I'm dealing the best I can, but I am getting really really fed up. I feel like just quitting, but we still have bills to pay, and I do love cooking in a professional kitchen. There was a "chef attended" Cinco De Mayo party last night that was a hit. It put me in the face of some of the members who come in all the time. They loved the food, the homemade tortillas, and the sopapillas I made. It felt amazing to have that kind of feed back, especially since I made 85 percent of the food.
Then something that happened that just dragged me down. I was able to vent at work, so that by the time I got home I was able to have a calm conversation with Master. Today wasn't any better. And I am so fed up of having to do someone else's job for the $$ I'm making. I just don't get people sometimes. How hard can it really be, and why do you make it so hard on yourself?
Then again, I'm looking at myself from around seven years ago...and it ain't pretty.
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05.02.06
10:00 p.m.
Productivity; Pies; Paper & more
It has been a productive several days. I had a fit of cooking and made apple-ginger-cinnamon pie. The official name is "boy's piled high deep dish apple-ginger pie". And it is yummy.
During the Pie baking, I went downstairs, and sorted through the basement. 1st pass. Got all the trash from the floor collected. Swept out cobwebs and dustbunnies from around the non-working washing machine, and the working dryer, and the hot water heater. Had to keep coming upstairs to check on pie. Unearthed two lightweight shelving units to put in the garage to store all of the Yard Sale stuff. We were going to have one on Saturday, but it rained all day and night on Friday, so no yard sale.
Yesterday Master got the yard sale boxes in the living room sorted, and I got them out to the garage. Thus cleaning up the living room a bit. It provided space for me to sort laundry. We hauled everything down to the laundromat and washed clothes. One trip to Walmart for stuff, then back to the laundromat, and home. Master went to Her sister's, and I had another fit of cooking. Roasted Butternut Squash soup, whole wheat tortillas, and veggie patties. I only made the ingredients for the soup. Didn't finish that off until tonight.
Lately I have had an incredible desire to make hand-made paper. It is this need, almost; brought to the forefront after working on Mamasita's basement Sunday. There is room down there, and though it isn't the perfect, clean, pristine environment, there is room, and a sink! So I went looking on-line for some information, and found books at the local library.
So this morning we took a trip to the library, and checked out the books. I've already read half of one, and all of another (not fair. the second book is like 24 pages or something ridiculous). I've wanted to make paper for a long, long time, but either didn't have the room, or the time/desire. Now, the desire is running rampant. There are several items I need, but most of the equipment I have here at home. I can ask Master's dad to help me with the deckle-mold part (the screen and the frame), and after we assemble that, I can just go to town. I want to make paper for Master to use in Her collages. I think it would add more depth to Her art process. And a nice, homey touch.
After the library, we went looking at RV's. It was fun looking at the designs, and talking about the usefulness of each coach. The fifth wheel that we looked at was a toy hauler. There are tie down loops in the floor and twin bunk beds. A perfect place for two more slaves to bunk while we are on the road. And room for a small dungeon...
Master's ankle started hurting a bit with all the climbing in and out of the coaches, so we decided it was lunch time.
Went out to the other end of town, and got lunch at one of our favorite places. Then off to Hobby Lobby to see if they carried any kind of paper making supplies (the deckle-mold). The girl had no idea what I was talking about. Sometimes I miss Phoenix...alot. At least employees at Michaels mostly know what you are talking about, and if they don't, they'll try to find out. So my attempts at finding an easy fix were thwarted.
Master ended up making a purchase, and we wandered out and came back home. I took Her to Her sister's, and then straightened out the art room, which had stuff strewn around. I got it so there was floor space, and I can paint. I actually prepped a canvas! It has to dry, and then I can paint. It's just a baby canvas, but I'm ready.
I read more in the paper making books, and compiled a list of needs to relay to Master. Picked Her up, we came home, ate dinner, then I finished making the Butternut squash soup, and washed all the dishes! (boy can make lots of dishes cooking...where's that kitchen wench/slave?) I'm a tired boy, and I have to go to work tomorrow and deal with the Boss I don't like, and don't respect. It's just a matter of time.
So productive days off...busy, yet filled with a bit of fun. And maybe this is a "what did I do with my days?", but sometimes these are the most important kinds of entries. Nothing profound or revealing, yet can reveal where inspiration comes from.
Yeah, and making pie helps me with creative processes...don't ask why, I don't know, and it's just pie!
Happy belated May day
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