Friday 18 June 2010

A New Project!

Maybe it is being a school-teacher for most of my working life; maybe it is just my personality; whatever it is, one thing is sure - I do need an on-going project to keep me busy.
When I was a widow and lived alone, my project was to photograph the Farming Year (1991) and record it in an album with the addition of appropriate pieces of poetry etc. I really enjoyed doing it and still look at the three large albums it took to complete it = and boy, do some of the farming jobs look old fashioned twenty years on!
On our foreign holidays I used to write a diary and take photographs and put the two together when we got home. We have a stack of albums and I must say it is lovely on a Winter Sunday afternoon to sit by the fire and go back round New England or up the coast of Norway without venturing further than the kettle.
But somehow digital photography has put paid to that. I tend to load the photographs into my computer and that's that. That is until my friend, G, told me of a new piece of equipment she has bought - a printer which prints sticky-backed prints 2 inches by 3 inches. G has just been to the Outer Hebrides with another friend, J and she has come back with a little diary showing exciting views, patterns on stones, lichen, shells - all kinds of pictures to stimulate and suggest ideas for her beautiful textile work.
They always say that the friendships that work the best are those between like-minded people - kindred spirits as it were. Well, how is this for an example? I came back home from seeing G's diary, thought about it and was immediately struck by a project I could do. I rang G up to ask her how I could buy one of these little printers..............she had bought two because she knew I would want one!
So - here is my project. I have ordered four hard-backed spiral notebooks (they are already in the post), G is bringing my little machine down today, I have already got out calico, dyes, paints and bits and pieces so that as soon as the books come I can decorate the front and back covers of one book. On the first day of Summer I shall begin in Notebook Number One. Monday morning will see me out and about with my camera and I shall record Summer around here - the flowers that are out, the birds that are about, the work on the farm, Summer days out, maybe even the odd really successful Summer supper, friends who visit. I shall stick the photographs in my little book and write a commentary, find a suitable poem or quotation, maybe a little drawing or two or even a little water-colour painting.
The Notebook will end on September 21st, when I shall begin my Autumn one. Can't wait to get started! Have a good day - market day here and meeting friends in The Golden Lion.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful way to record your memories.

Crafty Green Poet said...

what a lovely idea!

Unknown said...

Good luck with project, great idea

Titus said...

Wow, Weaver, fabulous idea. Good luck with the Seasons project.
When you receive your printer, could you put up the details? I'd be very interested.

Dave King said...

Excellent. May the wind fill your sails!

mrsnesbitt said...

Great idea! Let me know if you want some bits and pieces to decorate the cover with as I have lots of lovely off cuts from my crafting & wedding commissions. Always like to find them a good home.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

What a great idea! Your enthusiasm is palpable. Imagine your friend buying two because she knew you would want one - that is a kindred spirit!!! Enjoy!

Teresa said...

This sounds great and I can't wait to get started reading it and enjoying the lovely photos! Sure glad "G" stirred your interest in this!

Elisabeth said...

It's always good to have a project on the go and this one sounds terrific. Go for it Weaver.

Janice said...

You are so inspirational to me...thank you! This is a wonderful idea!!!

Caroline Gill said...

I love the sound of that printer! ... not to mention the project. We will all enjoy watching this space...

Unknown said...

Hello Weaver,

Will look forward to all that flows from your new project. Glorious day today!

Jane Moxey said...

How exciting! So now you'll be doing double duty -- what with your blog and now with this album, too! Computers are fun, but how nice to have a tangible object into which you can pour your creativity and memories!

Heather said...

Your Farming Year project will be a family heirloom as well as a record of country life. I feel quite excited myself by your new project and look forward to seeing it take shape. You will let us see it, wont you - it's a wonderful idea.

Hildred said...

Yes, isn't it a shame that thousands of digital pictures remain unprinted, - I think your idea is just fabulous and look forward to seeing bits and pieces of your project and hearing details about the little printer! Have fun creating such a wonderful pictorial record.

Totalfeckineejit said...

G has hit the spot! What great ideas.When does summer offcially begin? It's half over here in my head.I think I'd lke one of thoselittle printer machine things.Happy hunting!

Word Verification is'supefan' and yes, I am!

Unknown said...

what a wonderful idea :) I'm a bit like that with my notebooks, too; they end up growing heavier and heavier from all the stuff I've stuck in between the pages.

Robin Mac said...

That printer sounds a bit like the one I have seen Magie Grey blog about, but she didn't show a picture, it sounds fascinating and I'll look forward to seeing your progress. I must confess to having succumbed to a digital photo frame which is set up on the table in the kitchen and I simply keep loading more and more photos on it. They keep rolling through all day and I keep getting pleasant reminders of where we have been or of long dead family members (whose photos I have scanned onto the computer). This is interesting for visiting grandkids also as they ask about who those people are. I don't have text as well though, which you will. cheers, Robin

ChrisJ said...

My dental assisstant over here is from the outer Hebredes! Can you imagine that. Six thousand miles away.
By the way, I have fallen for the Blog in a book or SharedBook. They will make a very nice soft bound but colored photographic book. I have had 2007 and just received 2008. My husband is egging me on to get 2008 done. I wonder if it's only available here in the States. I saw it advertised on Blogspot.

ArtPropelled said...

Great idea! I can tell this is really something you are looking forward to, Weaver and I look forward to a few peeks into your journal if you decide to share some of your pages here on your blog.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you for the comments!

The books have come; my dinky printer has come; the first day of Summer is Monday - all I need now is a bit of inspiration for the cover. Watch this space.

Anonymous said...

Oh I do so love it when bloggers share the makings of their creative projects. Thanks for the idea of sticky backed prints - and I do hope you will tell us the make and source of this printer (unless of course it is no longer available and you have managed to snap up the last one! (I'll have to remember to look back at your last post - my brain tends to fail me when I really need it.)

Golden West said...

I love the idea of seasonal albums, Weaver. What an excellent project!

Loren said...

Nothing quite as exciting as new projects!

Looking forward to seeing yours.