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Yellow sticky notes say "Pessimistic."
The orange sticky note says "Optimistic."
All of the notes refer to specific passages from the novel.
"Better Homes and Gardens Handyman’s Book" printed with classic mid-century “optimistic style” illustrations.This wonderful vintage handyman's book is is filled with "Shag"-style kitsch illustrations of 1950's families doing work around the house. The copy is loaded with everything you need to know for remodeling and/or maintaining a mid-century modern home. This appears to be a “man’s” companion volume to the ubiquitous, red gingham motif, ring-bound "Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook".
Details:
Better Homes & Gardens Handyman's Book. 1951, 1957. 8th printing.
Hardcover, Ring Binder Style Book. 8.25x10". 400 Pgs.
Chapter 1: How To Use Hand Tools
Chapter 2: Power Tools
Chapter 3: Building Materials - Wood, Lumber, Moldings
Chapter 4: Fastening Techniques
Chapter 5: Finishing Techniques - Wood Finishes, How To Remove Old Finish, How To Paint Inside And Outside,
Chapter 6: Plumbing And Wiring
Chapter 7: Walls And Floors - How To Remove Old Wallpaper, Repair Plaster, How To Tile A Wall, How To Panel With Plywood, How To Refinish Hardwood Floors, How To Lay Wood Flooring, Lay A Tile Floor, How To Color Concrete Floors
Chapter 8: Windows And Doors - How To Replace Broken Windows, How To Cut Glass
Chapter 9: Exterior Repairs And Yardwork - How To Replace Siding, How To Build With Concrete Blocks, Lay Bricks, Use Concrete, How To Build A Fence, Post And Rail Fence With Many Variations Including Panel Fence
Chapter 10: Storage And Furniture - Built-ins, Cabinets, Furniture Measurements, Desk Chair, Lounge Chair, Loveseat, Sofa, Coffee Tables, Dining Table, Beds, Bookshelves
Chapter 11: Miscellaneous
Notes: This book is in wonderful condition considering its age. Pages are yellowed but clean and crisp with no marks, tears, dog ears or folds. Some slight water damage on pages 2-4 and 213-236 (this is the plumbing section so perhaps previous owner was fixing a project? :)
"Better Homes and Gardens Handyman’s Book" printed with classic mid-century “optimistic style” illustrations.This wonderful vintage handyman's book is is filled with "Shag"-style kitsch illustrations of 1950's families doing work around the house. The copy is loaded with everything you need to know for remodeling and/or maintaining a mid-century modern home. This appears to be a “man’s” companion volume to the ubiquitous, red gingham motif, ring-bound "Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook".
Details:
Better Homes & Gardens Handyman's Book. 1951, 1957. 8th printing.
Hardcover, Ring Binder Style Book. 8.25x10". 400 Pgs.
Chapter 1: How To Use Hand Tools
Chapter 2: Power Tools
Chapter 3: Building Materials - Wood, Lumber, Moldings
Chapter 4: Fastening Techniques
Chapter 5: Finishing Techniques - Wood Finishes, How To Remove Old Finish, How To Paint Inside And Outside,
Chapter 6: Plumbing And Wiring
Chapter 7: Walls And Floors - How To Remove Old Wallpaper, Repair Plaster, How To Tile A Wall, How To Panel With Plywood, How To Refinish Hardwood Floors, How To Lay Wood Flooring, Lay A Tile Floor, How To Color Concrete Floors
Chapter 8: Windows And Doors - How To Replace Broken Windows, How To Cut Glass
Chapter 9: Exterior Repairs And Yardwork - How To Replace Siding, How To Build With Concrete Blocks, Lay Bricks, Use Concrete, How To Build A Fence, Post And Rail Fence With Many Variations Including Panel Fence
Chapter 10: Storage And Furniture - Built-ins, Cabinets, Furniture Measurements, Desk Chair, Lounge Chair, Loveseat, Sofa, Coffee Tables, Dining Table, Beds, Bookshelves
Chapter 11: Miscellaneous
Notes: This book is in wonderful condition considering its age. Pages are yellowed but clean and crisp with no marks, tears, dog ears or folds. Some slight water damage on pages 2-4 and 213-236 (this is the plumbing section so perhaps previous owner was fixing a project? :)
The Chair of the UN panel on climate change has told us that he is optimistic that a change in public opinion will lead to a breakthrough at the Copenhagen climate summit. Dr Rajendra Pachauri also said reductions in emissions can be made without compromising economic output. We put a series of reader's questions to him prior to his appearance with Paul McCartney at the "Less Meat = Less Heat" debate in the Parliament's Chamber on Thursday (3 December) which called for people to eat less meat.
www.europarl.europa.eu/news/public/story_page/064-65663-3...
©European Parliament/Pietro Naj-Oleari
The genius behind the concept of Up With People!
Everything starts as a thought, and what you think about you become.
This dynamic man combined his stellar visions with a gusto for life that led to creation of a movement that continues to POSITIVELY INFLUENCE PEOPLE WORLDWIDE.
A living legend, his legacy remains strong and clear in its vision and purpose!
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ATTENTION PLEASE : ALL of the pictures in this Up With People! Volume 1 collection are available right here in full resolution for anyone to use THAT LOVES UP WITH PEOPLE!
It's easy! In the bottom part of the screen containing the picture you will see an icon with a downward pointing arrow above a horizontal like - it's on the far right of 4 icons.
Click on that far right icon, and you'll see options of different sizes to download. FOR BEST QUALITY, be sure to use the "Original" option.
On pictures with high resolution, you WILL see a better looking image if you're viewing on a computer monitor or HDTV only by retaining the original file size.
If you're viewing on a smart phone, don't worry about higher resolution as you won't see a difference on those small screens.
And there's 72 images with larger than 15 MB size files, with the biggest (NBC-TV SHOW) topping out at 43.6 MB! I tried the lower resolution scans too, but they just didn't cut it for the results I would be satisfied with.
I have three tutorial books of over 700 pages each for Photoshop! Remember when Alvin Tofler warned us about OVERCHOICE in his book "Future Shock"?
He was SO right, and his book came out in like 5 different colored covers to help get us ready!
I was particularly drawn to the view of the road winding over the horizon. This is a constant theme of my work. I think it may reflect my optimistic and hopeful views.
Rwanda’s private sector players are optimistic of business and investment opportunities that will come with Rwanda hosting the upcoming Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) that will take place during this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM 2020).
This was revealed today in a breakfast meeting organized by RDB (Rwanda Development Board) and the Private Sector Federation (PSF) to engage members of the private sector on the opportunities that they stand to take advantage of by participating at the CBF.
CBF will bring together between 1,000 to 1,200 business and government leaders from all Commonwealth countries for a dialogue on practical ways to enhance trade and investment.
The forum will be structured around plenary sessions and interactive workshops over three days, and will also facilitate B2G and B2B discussions at the very highest levels, addressing key themes that affect the 54 diverse Commonwealth member nations.
Speaking while making her remarks, Clare Akamanzi, the RDB Chief Executive Officer said:
“I have every confidence that you agree with me that CBF 2020 presents a unique platform for us to market Rwanda as the best destination for investments. Indeed, we look forward to the private sector signing deals and partnerships on projects that will contribute to the sustainable economic growth of our country through profits, jobs, and increasing Rwanda’s exports. Just to give you some context, over 2.4 billion people live within the Commonwealth Marketplace, and this year will see US$ 1 trillion worth of trade realised within the Commonwealth for the very first time. This means that we have a limitless market for our Made in Rwanda products and services and there shouldn’t be reason not to export more quantities to these countries.”
Robert Bapfakulera, the PSF Chairman said:
“It is important for us to ensure that the CBF leaves a lasting and positive legacy, with Rwanda at the centre of Commonwealth trade for its two years as Chair-in Office. To achieve this, the private sector must be fully prepared to optimise the Commonwealth trade opportunity-for business, investment and trade. CBF is an extremely unique platform for us to meet strategic partners and do great business.”
CHOGM 2020 will take place in Kigali from 22nd to 28thJune and will have four main forums which are Commonwealth Business, People’s, Women and Youth forums.
YES. Finally, some optimistic views. Lately, i've been pretty down. But things have been looking up for me. I'm making some better decisions, and i'm changing a wee little bit for the better. Of course, I couldn't have done it without the help of my lovely lady :) She brings out the best of me, and she's also my better half. I love her to death.
Oh, and flickr pro? Awesome. Thanks again Taylor.
At the Birmingham Social Media Cafe on October 29th 2010, we asked people what they were optimistic about.
It's a spin-off from newoptimists.com. We asked scientists 'what are you optimistic about?' — and their answers are now in a brilliant book.
amzn.to/thenewoptimists
This morning clicked. Good coffee, loud music and it's sunny and bright. Reminds me of when I first moved to town almost three years ago.
1. happy birthday sarah!, 2. Flickr Loves Sushi. Mmm., 3. Grad Class 2006, 4. Perhentian Island, Terengganu, Malaysia (Poem - Clouds Amaze Me), 5. ralph fiennes is amon goeth, 6. Just add tequila, 7. yago en impossibles2. indonesia 06, 8. coffee and chocolate mousse cake, 9. Day 108 - Cyberpunk librarian, 10. An art to the laughter., 11. The Optimist12. Not available
The concept:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste the html into your blog or Flickr stream (the easiest way is to copy the URLs and then head over to the fd's flickr toys link above and use the mosaic maker).
The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
**************************************
1. Sarah
2. sushi
3. Fredericton High School
4. Black
5. Ralph Fiennes
6. Tequila
7. Surfing in Bali
8. Chocolate
9. Librarian
10. Laughter
11. Optimistic
Rwanda’s private sector players are optimistic of business and investment opportunities that will come with Rwanda hosting the upcoming Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) that will take place during this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM 2020).
This was revealed today in a breakfast meeting organized by RDB (Rwanda Development Board) and the Private Sector Federation (PSF) to engage members of the private sector on the opportunities that they stand to take advantage of by participating at the CBF.
CBF will bring together between 1,000 to 1,200 business and government leaders from all Commonwealth countries for a dialogue on practical ways to enhance trade and investment.
The forum will be structured around plenary sessions and interactive workshops over three days, and will also facilitate B2G and B2B discussions at the very highest levels, addressing key themes that affect the 54 diverse Commonwealth member nations.
Speaking while making her remarks, Clare Akamanzi, the RDB Chief Executive Officer said:
“I have every confidence that you agree with me that CBF 2020 presents a unique platform for us to market Rwanda as the best destination for investments. Indeed, we look forward to the private sector signing deals and partnerships on projects that will contribute to the sustainable economic growth of our country through profits, jobs, and increasing Rwanda’s exports. Just to give you some context, over 2.4 billion people live within the Commonwealth Marketplace, and this year will see US$ 1 trillion worth of trade realised within the Commonwealth for the very first time. This means that we have a limitless market for our Made in Rwanda products and services and there shouldn’t be reason not to export more quantities to these countries.”
Robert Bapfakulera, the PSF Chairman said:
“It is important for us to ensure that the CBF leaves a lasting and positive legacy, with Rwanda at the centre of Commonwealth trade for its two years as Chair-in Office. To achieve this, the private sector must be fully prepared to optimise the Commonwealth trade opportunity-for business, investment and trade. CBF is an extremely unique platform for us to meet strategic partners and do great business.”
CHOGM 2020 will take place in Kigali from 22nd to 28thJune and will have four main forums which are Commonwealth Business, People’s, Women and Youth forums.
This crab spider catches it's prey by waiting amongst the petals to ambush pollen feeders I don't think it realized what it was up against when it tackled this honey bee ,the bee escaped with nothing to show except web strands and it's life .. macro
Graffiti on the HaBima theater front wall, in the memory of the Israeli comics artist Dudu Geva, who passed away on 15/02/05
At the Birmingham Social Media Cafe on October 29th 2010, we asked people what they were optimistic about.
It's a spin-off from newoptimists.com. We asked scientists 'what are you optimistic about?' — and their answers are now in a brilliant book.
amzn.to/thenewoptimists
Phoenix Rising
Lyrically abstract, this piece engages the intimacy of the paint and light and poetic use of color that I associate with renewal and re-birth. Sensuous and optimistic, this work suggests that everything is moving as it should and invites the viewer to relax and enjoy the flow of things.
- Mike Grady, Curator of Phoenix Rising: Alchemy & Rebirth
Acrylic on canvas
10”x24”
$666
Lisa Rasmussen | Artist Statement
(thin places) an exploration of the in between or betwixt
My personal quest is to reunite art and the spirit. Akin to the alchemist’s work, which is the transformation of gross material into spiritual substance, I see my art as artifacts of my ever-transforming consciousness.
My art and its process represent a humble quest to resurrect divination in my personal journey and into the community at large. As an artist my work gives the viewer a personal glimpse of my internal revelations. While creating I become a shamanic cave painter, an archeologist, an alchemist, and sorceress.
I speak of divination in its broadest sense, meaning that through my art and process I find myself in a continuum of discovering the unknown within myself and in the world that I live in. The motives and impulses behind my creative process are my shamanistic belief that through the process of creation, I align with dynamism and the divinity that is animated in all of life. Like Tibetan art, which symbolically describes levels of awareness, I intuitively explore the three levels of sacred art in my work: the outer, the inner, and the secret—-The outer being the physical object; the inner being the ritual that occurs during my art making; and the secret, where through the process of my creation and through my reflection on the finished work, the unknown becomes known.
Art is my personal ritual and teacher. While creating I employ my two mental allies, instinct and intuition, to create a composition of chaos and order. My allure with “thin places” has taken me to sacred sites around world and has also led me to explore transpersonal psychology and my own personal shadow through dream work and Jungian analysis. My art is a record of my deep interest in mysticism and the natural world, as well as a passageway into my own mythical inversion of reality. In essence it is my deep exploration into non-ordinary reality and the mysteries of the unknown.
Lisa Rasmussen | Artist Biography
Lisa Rasmussen is a painter, art advocate, environmental artist, and educator. She was born in Wisconsin and has her ancestral roots in Scandinavia and Ireland. Lisa comes from a working class family who has always supported her to follow her heart and her dreams to become an artist. Her late mother, Mickey, was Lisa’s Muse; she fostered in her the practice of art as being a form of expression and personal healing. Early on Lisa developed a thirst for travel and distant cultures. A key conceptual element of her artistic process is the study and travel to ancient cultures and sacred sites around the world. Some of her travel adventures include Nepal, Peru, Ireland and Brazil. She has also lived and taught English in the mountains of South China. She also studied antiquities, the art of the Renaissance, and ceramics in Florence, Italy.
Painting is a very visceral, physical, and metaphysical process. Rasmussen’s paintings have been called abstract expressionism, with a spiritual twist. Her paintings reflect her holistic worldview and her deep connection with the natural world. For Rasmussen, art making is a transcendental experience. When she paints, Rasmussen taps into a force greater than herself: a force that creates through her. Each painting is a product of her dance with divinity. Through her process she hopes to invoke in herself and the viewer a deeper connection to the world within and around us through reflection and inspiration.
Rasmussen was named “Graduate Student of the Year” during her MFA commencement exercises in recognition of the strength of her paintings and her use of her artistic gifts to transform the lives of victims of abuse. Rasmussen is the co-founder and co-director of the ArtCart and of Annual Art Break Day - the mission of both these projects is to empower individuals and communities through ART and its process.
Lisa is also the co-founder, Director, curator, and transformative arts facilitator at Art 4 All People: Sanctuary of Arts and Consciousness in Malibu. Art 4 All People believes that art is profoundly connected to personal and cultural transformation. We are an arts and consciousness gallery, workshop and retreat space that is located in an idyllic contemporary art beach house in Malibu - dedicated to building relationships among artists, collectors, and agents of change. Art 4 All is new-paradigm organization that believes art viewing, collecting, and creating should be a holistic and inviting experience, accessible to all people.
Rasmussen’s work has been featured in numerous media outlets and currently she shows in galleries in San Francisco and Malibu. Currently she lives in Santa Monica with her three cats.
Excellent collection of quotation to describe what your feel.
You can download and share image about inspirational optimistic quotes .
Here are another love quote by famous people for you :
Finding your passion is one thing, following it with an unrelenting belief is another. Inspiring...
Good Of Arriva to Bring 4705 (YJ59BHW) to Whitley Bay Rally... as with most LED'd Redcar Vehicles it has Stockton Destinations aswell
This picture is #153 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
I saw Steve sitting on the steps in front of a library. His long hair and rugged look meant that I just had to try for a photograph. The background building was all an off-white, and I usually eschew light backgrounds. But this would be different – maybe the Richard Avedon look! I wish.
As I approached, he was scrolling on a cell phone. When I explained my project, he was happy to oblige. He has lived in Sarasota for over 30 years and LOVES it. But it is getting more crowded, and his goal is to live on a boat in St. Croix. He has lived on a boat before, so Steve knows what that life entails. Less than two years ago while aboard his boat, he was hit by a large commercial vessel. The boat was totaled and he sustained serious back injuries. He feels lucky that the offending vessel is owned by a large company that is well insured. There is an insurance settlement date of July 2, so Steve is patiently waiting, currently homeless. He is very optimistic with a great attitude.
Before living in Sarasota, he lived for a short time in Ft. Lauderdale, but was born and raised in new York City. And he sounds like Noo Yawk. In fact he was born in a hospital in the town of Bayshore, the same hospital that my sister was born in, two years earlier. Small world.
Steve's brother still lives on long Island, and Steve is very up to date on the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, four months ago. He showed me a slide show on his phone, of his brother's 35 foot boat sitting on dry land, several blocks from where it had been moored. What a mess.
Thank you, Steve, for allowing me to photograph you. Good luck with your insurance settlement.
Bob
I approached Jill while she was walking her cute little dog, Olive, on 13th Ave. close to Granville St.
Jill would describe herself as optimistic.
For some reason, the phrase I used to open one of my Daily Inspiration posts a few weeks back drew a fair bit of attention; I started out with this observation:
Yup, here I go with that optimism thing again, but I'm optimistic about my optimism!
And so here I go with that optimism thing again. After all, it's Friday!
Let's talk about how you can feed your optimism machine - it begins with the attitude you start with each and every day. For me, that's the process of writing my Daily Inspiration - often begun the afternoon or evening before, I spend my time first thing each morning composing and organizing my thoughts. I'm now writing 4,000 to 6,000 words each morning while I enjoy my coffee and before I start anything else. It's my moment of meditation, quiet reflection - I'm setting my mind for my approach to the day.
Once my post is done, I'm ready to take my optimistic soul into the rest of the day. But first, I need to chase the sunrise! I use to charge into the office after breakfast to get things done - but not since 2016. Now, most mornings when I'm not on the road, I'm either first on the tee sheet for golf (7 am!) at my home club; or when golf season comes to an end, I'm out for my early 7km (5 miles) walk. I'm chasing the sunrise!
With the late sunrises now taking hold in the Western Hemisphere, and in these last days before the end of Daylight Savings Time, much of the walk through the forest is in the darkness. But I'm chasing the sunrise - and am often rewarded with moments of splendor as it peaks through the dark sky. I find another moment of inspiration at that moment!
The other day, I was rewarded with the view seen in today's quote. Halfway through my route, there is a large clearing - and I caught this moment as the sun tried to make its presence known through the massive fog barrier which has settled in over our region for the last several days. What does this have to do with the future? It's the start of another day! What does this have to do with innovation? Innovation is all about having a sense of optimism as to what comes next. What does this have to do with inspiration? Everything!
My Youtube Short video that day caught the sunrise fog:
The thought that came to my mind at that sunrise moment? How blessed I am to have the opportunity to see such a sunrise! How wonderful a gift I have received to be able to focus on my optimism! And how wonderful that I can share this sense of joy and optimism with others - I think I'm now reaching about 50,000 people through various social networks and mailing lists every day. Every day is a gift - share them!
And so I filmed my video version of my Daily Inspiration at that moment. What's this about? Some weeks ago, I decided I was going to explore using TikTok and YouTube Shorts as described in this post:
I've now found myself spending a few moments during my walk filming the video version of my Daily Inspiration . I still don't quite yet know what I'm doing but I'm learning, and I can say I'm pretty stunned by the number of views I get on each video. (Not staggering numbers but for me - wow!). You can see my Youtube shorts here: www.youtube.com/c/JimCarrollFuturist/shorts and my TikTok feed here:
www.tiktok.com/@futuristjimcarroll.
I've been a busy guy - sharing my optimism! People seem to find optimism in my optimism! To me, in a world that becomes darker, more complex, and more worrisome each and every day, I find some optimism in that thought.
And so, I share my optimism. It works for me, and it seems to work for others.
My wife keeps asking me what I am going to do in retirement. I respond that first, I don't plan to retire. And second, I comment that I'm going to keep walking and posting my Daily Inspiration because if you are consumed by optimism, people like it when you share it!
jimcarroll.com/2022/11/daily-inspiration-every-day-is-a-g...
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Futurist Jim Carroll is optimistic about his optimism. He has a final round of golf this morning for the season at 9am, and won't be able to chase the sunrise. But his morning walks will continue in earnest, and with ski season starting in just over a month, he's eager to start his optimistic day by being first at the chairlift.
Radiohead (A Moon Shaped Pool Summer 2018 Tour) @ Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, on July 11, 2018.
#AMoonShapedPool Summer 2018 #Tour #Setlist MSG Night 2:
Daydreaming
Desert Island Disk
Ful Stop
Myxomatosis
15 Step
Kid A
All I Need
The National Anthem
The Gloaming
Spectre
You and Whose Army?
Bloom
Identikit
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
No Surprises
There There
Everything in Its Right Place
Encore:
Optimistic
Nude
The Numbers
Lotus Flower
Fake Plastic Trees
Encore 2:
Idioteque
Exit Music (for a Film)
Karma Police
Alonso optimistic face-season in 2016 (Photo: AFP)
SURREY – McLaren-Honda, Fernando Alonso, achieve results so disappointing this season. Nevertheless, the results of this season does not make Alonso lose optimism to welcome the Formula One (F1) next season.
It was submitted directly by...
And so February draws to a close and we go leaping into March (I am optimistic). There's been a shift this month due to my confinement so a lot of still life with a few selfies creeping in...hopefully more to come as I do enjoy them !!
2. Ivy 033-365-2013,
3. British Chrysanthemum - 034-365-2013,
5. Seeing Double 036-365-2013,
6. Exercise books 037-365-2013,
11. Signs of life 042-365-2013,
13. Fallen sweeties 044-365-2013,
14. Jar of Hearts 045-365-2013,
15. Mum 046-365-2013,
16. Book of hearts 047-365-2013,
17. Pills 048-365-2013,
18. Recouperating 049-365-2013,
19. An old blackberry 050-365-2013,
20. Buttons 051-365-2013,
21. Bottons Diptych 051-365-2013,
22. Kiwi 053-365-2013,
23. Pages 054-365-2013,
25. Lines 056-365-2013,
26. Joe and Giles 057-365-2013,
27. Head in my hands 058-365-2013,
28. A is for Apple 059-365-2013
Thanks for all the continued support from my fellow flickerers all view, comments + critiques, faves and get well wishes really have kept me going this month....Thank you all *smiles*
Traveling from Silalahi village to Tongging along the western shore of Lake Toba.
Please feel free to visit my Toba Series :
An optimistic assumption of the buildings worth, and if they're storing anything valuable inside, I'd suggest they move it! A slightly run down building beside The Trent and Mesey Canal, Longport.
Trying to bloom even though the brownish yellow of the foliage in the background signals that Fall is moving on.
A cheer went up when we finished this jigsaw at the House Party at c9-22 on Sunday. This is the rear showing the 5 replacements and the segmented cut.
This was one of several large jigsaws I optimistically took to do over three days. I bought it in August 2019 for a reasonable sum, probably because it wasn't labelled as Parker Pastime, had no original box, no piece count or dimensions, and had replacements and a chewed piece. The division of the blank into rectangles is uncommon for Parker Pastime (but not without precedent) and the number and shape of the figurals indicated to me that it was American and likely Parker. I had a bit of discussion about it with an American BCD member who came to the event, in our private facebook group, so I was keen to complete this jigsaw first.
The 1500pc board was big enough - dimensions 53x72cm and piece count to be made later. The 125 figurals are really quite large - this surprised me, but the largest Parker I'd done previously was only about 400pc. The replacements have proved to be rather crude and I would eventually like to get better ones made. One replacement 'corner' (which ended up on the floor, which I picked up and put on the next table because it didn't look like our jigsaw at all then reclaimed and placed later) can be seen on the lower edge.
POST SCRIPT:
I started removing the figurals to take a photo of the holes and count them. After about 2 squares I decided to turn the jigsaw over to photograph the cut and count figurals and pieces. I gave up on pieces but marked 125 figurals. Putting the jigsaw back in the box I counted 1,021pc - including 130 figurals, or 12.7% figurals.
For the remainder of our time (when we were not watching lectures) we devoted ourselves to the large Wentworth tessellation (David) and I worked on several small jigsaws.
As for my interpretation of the theme, I've been a little Valentine's Day challenged in the past (but I'm always optimistic for the future), so hearts and cupids weren't in my plans. But as I pondered the theme, several things came to mind. The first, my grandparents. My Mom's folks were married for decades and going dancing was one of their favorite activities. In fact, that's where they met my Dad's dad and his wife (Grammie Augsburg), who had a wonderful second marriage that lasted 40+ years—both were widowed young and remarried young. They all went dancing at various venues throughout the Chicagoland and surrounding rural (now suburban) areas. When I danced with Grampa Augsburg in my 20s, he'd always tell me I was trying to lead (surprise). So a few years ago, in an attempt to make new friends upon my relocation to Milwaukee, I started taking swing dance lessons. For five years, I've been learning and practicing my East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop moves. I've made some great new friends AND learned to follow and let my partner lead (Grampa would be so proud!). So my love story project has two meanings for me. It expresses my love of dancing and it also honors the love that I have for my grandparents and the fact that they encouraged me to dance. When I'm on the dance floor, I can almost imagine them smiling down on me.
The added benefit of this particular garment is that the dress has a little twirl to it, which is very important when you're dancing, but it's still "office appropriate". Right now, I only have the band and a few couples on the dance floor, but I'm thinking about adding the dancers all the way around the back of the skirt as well. Since the freezer-paper stencils are reusable (as you'll see below), this should be a quick update.
Want to take a spin around the floor and try to create something like this of your own? Here's how.
STUFF YOU NEED
•Garment (My dress was too long, so I saved the part I cut off and used it to audition paint colors and types.)
•Fabric paint (I used Jacquard Lumiere, pewter)
•Paint brush
•Freezer paper
•Patterns (I used clip art from a Dover book)
•Iron, ironing surface, press cloth
•Cutting surface and craft knife (X-Acto)
•Transfer paper and pencil
•Cardboard
HERE'S HOW:
1. Size your patterns to fit your garment. My dance couples are three different sizes, and one is flipped horizontally. Prewash your garment as indicated on the care label, paying attention to any instructions from the paint manufacturer.
2. Layer the following things from bottom to top: freezer paper wax-side down, transfer paper chalk-side down, pattern. Use a pencil to trace around the pattern.
3. Using the craft knife, cut the image out of the freezer paper, creating a stencil.
4. Place the freezer-paper stencil wax-side down on the garment. Use an iron to temporarily attach the freezer paper to the fabric. (Really, this works. Just use a heat appropriate for the fabric.) Note: I'm reusing one in the photo, which is why there's already paint around the edges.
5. Place cardboard under the to-be-stenciled area. Use a paint brush to apply paint within the stencil area. Brush in from the edges so you don't get paint under the edge of the stencil. Note: Mine was a pretty dense knit fabric, so it didn't bleed through, but if your garment is thin, place wax paper over the cardboard under your garment so the cardboard doesn't stick to the fabric.
6. Peel the freezer paper off. You don't want to let it get very dry before you do this, because the paint can stick along the edges of the stencil. But I'd let it dry a little so you don't run the risk of smudging.
7. Let dry and heat-set the paint according to manufacturer's directions.