An Exercise in Rainbows: Red

While taking scary craft photos did cheer me up during the month of February, I've noticed I'm feeling a bit SAD lately. So, I thought an exercise in taking bright, saturated photos might give me a lift. I'm starting with red, working my way through the rainbow. I'm going to try to keep it to photos of things I made, past or present. I might have more than one post per color. There are no rules. This is about being happy. Anyone want to join?

My image for Red is a monoprint I made in a class a few years back. The black work is done with a funny airbrush-type tool that pumps out the ink. This was done with water-based ink, which I find very challenging because it lacks saturation, although you can't tell with this print. I think my color correction isn't true. The color background was done as a separate press run. The fan is a bit of paper glued on. The fancy term for that is Chine-collé.

H is for Hat

He always wears his best when we go out to the fancy neighborhood restaurant. This time it was three plaids and a vintage fedora, white pants, and suede oxfords — all on his own.

More photos at flickr.

Would you trust me with your children?

When I'm not wearing cute handmade skirts, you might find me wearing something like in the photo above. As I was getting ready for my work day at our co-op preschool I thought how funny I looked, especially in contrast to my glamorous sister. But, each thing I wore was chosen with care. You have to dress just right to survive another day of positive discipline, conflict resolution, and healthful snack making.

Let's start at the top:

My hair is pinned back because it's getting a little out of control. I only schedule my hair appointments for every seven or eight weeks. Six weeks would be better, but getting childcare is such a hassle that I push it out, probably getting one less haircut a year — saves me some money, too.

I put on my Miraculous Medal of Mary recently to gather up as much good mama juju as possible while I wait for the little guy's sedation dental work appointment. Blaize got me the original medal when I was pregnant with my first, and, a second for the second. It's blue and pretty and makes me feel good. My doula, Mary, got a matching one and that makes me feel good, too — double Mary goodness. I'm not Catholic, or, ever been Catholic, but sometimes people have said I "look Catholic." I figure Mary doesn't care.

Black clothes. I used to wear black almost everyday. It was a good designer uniform and pretty much matched my mood. Now, I'm drawn to colors. I think it's because I hang out with kids. But, some days you just have to wear black — layers of it.

Black crochet purse. It's made of polypropelene and it's nearly indestructible, just don't drink out of it. It was a hand-me-down, so I'm counting it as a green-non-green situation.

Maternity yoga pants still have a place in my wardrobe. While I've only been accused of being pregnant once since my last birth, I'm counting that as an improvement, since I was asked twice after my first birth. I guess it's time to start exercising.

The Best Boots Evah came from a garage sale long ago. They're vintage with a short cut, not sure what you call that. They've molded to my foot just right. I love them.

That's it — my uniform for surviving small children.