Sorry for the loooong absence. Let’s just chalk it up to summer vacation and distractions. I did indeed spend a week up in Leelanau County Michigan which is about 6 hours north of where I live here in Chicago. I’m not well traveled, but this is one of my favorite places. Heat is my enemy, so it’s a great place for me in the summer. It’s around the 45th parallel, which is far enough north to keep it from getting really hot. The rolling hills are absolutely covered with a gorgeous palette of green trees and grape vineyards. The towns are full of hippies, a group to which I like to pretend I belong A bit outside of the county is Traverse City, which is great, too. I love micro breweries and they have 5. Right Brain was especially fun. During happy hour the tasting room was jam packed with beer lovers drinking $3.50 pints, awesome! (not my photo)

My husband Terry and I are already saving up for next summer’s trip.

And now on to studio news… No doubt you are wondering when I’ll have new work to show. It’s always tough picking up where I left off after a few weeks absence. If I where smart, or perhaps more dedicated, I would peak into what I had been doing just to remind myself, so starting would be easier when I’m ready to work again. But I don’t and I didn’t this time either. Bad Beth, bad Beth!

I’m not complaining, but in my defense, my health is still a problem, even though I wish I could just get over it. I haven’t had a seizure in over a year, so no problems there. But my headaches just aren’t better enough to give me steady, reliable time in my studio. Mostly they’re somewhat milder now that I have started getting nerve block injections and taking Lyrica. Unfortunately, Lyrica is making me blow up like a balloon. So much for loosing weight! Luckily for me even at a size 16 I have a nice hourglass shape. I think the best way to deal right now is to do my best to hold steady and make lots of nice clothes. You all know that I love knitting. I’m on track to finish at least 4 sweaters by the time it gets cold enough to wear them. Pants are my biggest problem, though. I’m only 5′ tall so that rules out even plus size petites and nicer brands don’t make those sizes anyway. I am dieing for a pair of burgundy colored corduroys for the fall. I’m no great shakes at sewing clothes but I’ve used this pattern before and as soon as fall weight corduroy fabric comes out I’m going to make another pair. I love wide leg pants! Terry says they make me look like I have no feet, but I don’t care. I say a long skirt would have the same effect and the pants are more comfortable

I do think I’ll do a bit of creature making today. I have a little head (that sounds morbid!) that I’m excited about but I’m sort of stuck on what to do with it. I wanted her to wear this dress,

but it isn’t right so I have to reassess. She might get a simple striped body and a big orange flower tucked in by one of her ears…